RE/MAX vs Realty Executives
RE/MAX vs Realty Executives: RE/MAX costs $75K to $1.2M to open; Realty Executives costs $100K to $343K. RE/MAX has 347 units, Realty Executives has 25. SBA loan history: RE/MAX = 262 loans (9.2% default); Realty Executives = 26 loans (7.7% 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.
RE/MAX vs Realty Executives: 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
RE/MAX requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($75K vs $100K for Realty Executives), a 25% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $49K for RE/MAX versus $30K for Realty Executives, Realty Executives has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for RE/MAX and 7% for Realty Executives, giving RE/MAX the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, RE/MAX operates 347 units to Realty Executives's 25, roughly 14× the system size. Realty Executives has been operating 61 years (founded 1965) versus 53 for RE/MAX (founded 1973), a 8-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
RE/MAX has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 262 7(a) approvals compared with 26 for Realty Executives. RE/MAX's peak SBA year was 2017 (19 loans); Realty Executives's peak was 2018 (3 loans). Realty Executives's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. RE/MAX has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 32. Realty Executives leads in WI, with 5. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded RE/MAX deals is $485K vs $264K for Realty Executives, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 9.2% for RE/MAX and 7.7% for Realty Executives, Realty Executives has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 67 (Strong) for RE/MAX and 47 (Fair) for Realty Executives, giving RE/MAX the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 67/100 | 47/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 262 | 26 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 9.2% | 7.7% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $75K to $1.2M | $100K to $343K |
Franchise Fee | $49K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 4% |
Liquid Capital | $35K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 347 | 25 |
Franchised Units | 347 | 25 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1973 | 1965 |
Franchising Since | 2005 | 1980 |
Years Franchising | 21 yrs | 46 yrs |
Headquarters | SAN JOSE, CA | Brookfield, WI |
Category | Offices of Real Estate Agents | Offices of Real Estate Agents |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, RE/MAX or Realty Executives?
Lower upfront capital required
RE/MAX
RE/MAX: $75K starting · Realty Executives: $100K starting
More SBA lender confidence
RE/MAX
RE/MAX: 262 SBA loans · Realty Executives: 26 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Realty Executives
RE/MAX: 9.2% · Realty Executives: 7.7%
Larger system & brand presence
RE/MAX
RE/MAX: 347 units · Realty Executives: 25 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
RE/MAX
RE/MAX: 5% · Realty Executives: 7%
More lender financing options
RE/MAX
RE/MAX: 133 unique lenders · Realty Executives: 24 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.
Need Funding for RE/MAX or Realty Executives?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
RE/MAX vs Realty Executives: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing RE/MAX and Realty Executives is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $75K to $1.2M.
RE/MAX has 262 SBA loans on record and Realty Executives has 26. 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.
RE/MAX vs Realty Executives, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, RE/MAX or Realty Executives?
How much does a RE/MAX franchise cost compared to Realty Executives?
Can I finance RE/MAX or Realty Executives with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, RE/MAX or Realty Executives?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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