Era Realty vs RE/MAX
Era Realty vs RE/MAX: Era Realty costs $48K to $519K to open; RE/MAX costs $75K to $1.2M. Era Realty has 16 units, RE/MAX has 347. SBA loan history: Era Realty = 20 loans (15.0% default); RE/MAX = 262 loans (9.2% 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.
Era Realty vs RE/MAX: 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
Era Realty requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($48K vs $75K for RE/MAX), a 36% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $37K for Era Realty versus $49K for RE/MAX, Era Realty has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, RE/MAX operates 347 units to Era Realty's 16, roughly 22× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
RE/MAX has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 262 7(a) approvals compared with 20 for Era Realty. Era Realty's peak SBA year was 1998 (4 loans); RE/MAX's peak was 2017 (19 loans). RE/MAX's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in CA. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Era Realty deals is $262K vs $485K for RE/MAX, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 15.0% for Era Realty and 9.2% for RE/MAX, RE/MAX has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 27 (Fair) for Era Realty and 67 (Strong) for RE/MAX, giving RE/MAX the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 27/100 | 67/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 20 | 262 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 15.0% | 9.2% |
Peer Tier | growing | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $48K to $519K | $75K to $1.2M |
Franchise Fee | $37K | $49K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $35K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 16 | 347 |
Franchised Units | 16 | 347 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1973 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2005 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 21 yrs |
Headquarters | ALISO VIEJO, CA | SAN JOSE, CA |
Category | Offices of Real Estate Agents | Offices of Real Estate Agents |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Era Realty or RE/MAX?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Era Realty: $48K starting · RE/MAX: $75K starting
More SBA lender confidence
RE/MAX
Era Realty: 20 SBA loans · RE/MAX: 262 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
RE/MAX
Era Realty: 15.0% · RE/MAX: 9.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Era Realty: 16 units · RE/MAX: 347 units
More lender financing options
RE/MAX
Era Realty: 15 unique lenders · RE/MAX: 133 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
Era Realty vs RE/MAX: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Era Realty and RE/MAX is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $48K to $1.2M.
Era Realty has 20 SBA loans on record and RE/MAX has 262. 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.
Era Realty vs RE/MAX, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Era Realty or RE/MAX?
How much does a Era Realty franchise cost compared to RE/MAX?
Can I finance Era Realty or RE/MAX with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Era Realty or RE/MAX?
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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