Century 21 vs Era Realty
Century 21 vs Era Realty: Century 21 costs $25K–$451K to open; Era Realty costs $48K–$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, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
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 – $451K | $48K – $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
Century 21
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 historical default rate
Century 21
Century 21: 8.9% · Era Realty: 15.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Century 21
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.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Century 21 with 203 SBA loans and Era Realty with 20. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.