Century 21 vs Era Realty
Century 21 vs Era Realty: Century 21 costs $25K to $451K to open; Era Realty costs $48K to $519K. Century 21 has 185 units, Era Realty has 16. SBA loan history: Century 21 = 203 loans (8.9% default); Era Realty = 20 loans (15.0% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Century 21 vs Era Realty: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Century 21 requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $48K for Era Realty), a 49% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Century 21 versus $37K for Era Realty, Century 21 has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Century 21 operates 185 units to Era Realty's 16, roughly 12× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Century 21 has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 203 7(a) approvals compared with 20 for Era Realty.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 8.9% for Century 21 and 15.0% for Era Realty, Century 21 has the cleaner SBA loss record by 6.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Century 21 and 27 (Fair) for Era Realty, giving Century 21 the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 27/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 203 | 20 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 8.9% | 15.0% |
Peer Tier | major | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $25K to $451K | $48K to $519K |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $37K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $150K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 185 | 16 |
Franchised Units | 185 | 16 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1971 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1972 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 54 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | N/A | ALISO VIEJO, CA |
Category | Offices of Real Estate Agents | Offices of Real Estate Agents |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Century 21 or Era Realty?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Century 21: $25K starting · Era Realty: $48K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Century 21
Century 21: 203 SBA loans · Era Realty: 20 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Century 21
Century 21: 8.9% · Era Realty: 15.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Century 21: 185 units · Era Realty: 16 units
More lender financing options
Century 21
Century 21: 115 unique lenders · Era Realty: 15 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Century 21 vs Era Realty: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Century 21 and Era Realty is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $25K to $519K.
Century 21 has 203 SBA loans on record and Era Realty has 20. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Century 21 vs Era Realty, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Century 21 or Era Realty?
How much does a Century 21 franchise cost compared to Era Realty?
Can I finance Century 21 or Era Realty with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Century 21 or Era Realty?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman