1st Class Real Estate Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Franchisees

?

103
+
81%
81%
Investment required

?

$31,000 - $159,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

$0
Undisclosed
Pro
+
n.a.
+
xx%
-xx%
n.a.
Initial franchise fee

?

$25,000
Royalty fees

?

$500 per month
+
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Pro
Franchisees

?

103
+
81%
81%
Investment required

?

$31,000 - $159,000
Franchise fee

?

$25,000
Royalty fees

?

$500 per month
+
n.a.
Revenue (AUV)

?

$0
Undisclosed
Pro
+
n.a.
+
xx%
-xx%
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Pro

1st Class Real Estate: Transforming the Real Estate Industry with Unmatched Support and Growth

1st Class Real Estate is a dynamic and rapidly expanding franchise in the real estate industry, founded by Rhyan Finch in 2012. Originally established in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the company has grown significantly under Finch's leadership, now boasting a presence across multiple states in the U.S. 

The franchise began its journey after Finch’s successful career in real estate, where he quickly became an expert in distressed properties during the market downturn. His experience led to the formation of a team that eventually became one of the top-performing groups in the country, which paved the way for the founding of 1st Class Real Estate. 

Since its inception, the company has focused on empowering agents through education, technology, and a strong community-oriented culture. The franchise model allows agents to leverage Finch's proven systems and processes, ensuring they can achieve rapid growth and success in their local markets.

Headquartered in Virginia Beach, 1st Class Real Estate started franchising shortly after its founding and has quickly expanded due to its innovative approach and commitment to franchisee success. 

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

1st Class Real Estate offers 4 types of franchises:

Business Model Initial Investment
1st Class Real Estate Virtual Model - Start-Up $31,050 - $43,450
1st Class Real Estate Virtual Model - Conversion $27,950 - $43,450
1st Class Real Estate Standard Model - Start-Up $51,950 - $159,450
1st Class Real Estate Standard Model - Conversion $30,950 - $159,450

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a 1st Class Real Estate Standard Model - Start-Up franchie.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

1st Class Real Estate Standard Model - Start-Up

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000
Initial Training and Onboarding Fee $950
Leasehold Improvements $5,000 - $30,000
Rent and Security Deposit $500 - $10,000
Signage $500 - $10,000
Equipment and Furniture $5,000 - $50,000
Computers and Software $6,000 - $8,000
Start-up Supplies/Advertising Materials $2,000 - $3,000
Insurance $1,000 - $1,500
Professional Fees $1,500 - $3,500
Licensing costs $500 - $2,500
Additional Funds - 3 months $4,000 - $15,000
TOTAL $51,950 - $159,450

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Franchise
Franchisees
Growth
Initial fee
Investment
Revenue
Gross Profit
Operating Profit
Industry

103

+
81%
81%
No growth
New

$25,000

$31,000

-

$159,000

n.a.

$0

Pro

n.a.

Pro

n.a.

Pro

Business Services

Training 

The training provided by 1st Class Real Estate Franchise is comprehensive and designed to equip franchisees and their teams with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in the competitive real estate market. The training program includes several key components:

  1. 1st Class University: This is a central part of the training, offering a wide range of educational resources tailored to enhance the skills of real estate agents. The university provides ongoing training on various aspects of real estate, ensuring that agents are up-to-date with industry trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
  2. Personalized Coaching and Support: Franchisees receive personalized coaching to help them build and grow their businesses. This coaching is focused on personal productivity, sales skills, and career development, aiming to improve the overall performance of each agent within the franchise.
  3. Technology Training: Franchisees are trained on the use of 1st Class Real Estate’s custom-built CRM and transaction management systems. This technology is crucial for managing leads, transactions, and customer relationships efficiently.
  4. Marketing and Branding Support: The franchise provides training on how to effectively market the business using the tools and resources provided by the 1st Class Real Estate marketing department. This includes guidance on leveraging branded materials and digital marketing strategies to attract and retain clients.

Territory Protection

1st Class Real Estate franchise does not explicitly offer traditional territory protection to its franchisees. Instead of exclusive territories, the franchise model focuses on providing robust support and resources that allow franchisees to thrive regardless of market density. 

This approach is designed to encourage growth and competition within the network, ensuring that all franchisees have access to the tools and support needed to succeed.

By not limiting franchisees to specific territories, 1st Class Real Estate promotes a collaborative environment where agents can operate in various markets, enhancing their ability to scale their businesses.

Number of units

2024
Franchised units

57

96

103

Company-owned units

4

0

0

Total units

61

96

103

Competitors

Joe Homebuyer

Investment required
$131,000
-
$444,000
Franchisees
63
+
66%
66%

Weichert

Investment required
$77,000
-
$360,000
Franchisees
297
+
-9%
-9%

The Agency

Investment required
$120,000
-
$856,000
Franchisees
42
+
282%
282%

Realty One Group

Investment required
$47,000
-
$228,000
Franchisees
380
+
27%
27%

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