

Counselor Realty is a full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage franchise founded in 1964 in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, by a group of experienced local agents. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the brand is agent-owned and has built a strong reputation for community involvement and trusted service.
The franchise division, Counselor Realty Franchising, Inc., began offering franchise opportunities in 2002. Franchisees operate from approved office locations within designated territories across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Counselor Realty stands out for its agent-owned model, which prioritizes professionalism, collaboration, and deep local expertise.
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.
Counselor Realty Franchising provides optional but detailed training programs for franchisees. Here's a breakdown of what they offer:
Counselor Realty Franchising grants franchisees a defined territory to operate their business, but it is a non-exclusive license. This means the franchisee is allowed to operate from a single approved location within a designated geographic territory.
However, the agreement does not prevent the franchisor or its affiliates from granting other franchises or operating businesses within the same territory.
The franchisor reserves significant flexibility to adjust territory terms. For example, during renewal, the territory can be modified if the population exceeds their limits or if performance criteria are not met.
Below are some of
Counselor
key competitors in the
Broker/Realtor
sector.

5
$15,000
$23,000
$106,000
n.a.
$0
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

3% Realty is a real estate brokerage franchise offering full-service residential listing and buyer representation at a flat three-percent commission, serving cost-conscious home sellers and buyers, and known for streamlined systems, MLS exposure, and Canada-wide recognition as a lower-commission brand.
?
?

Assist-2-Sell is a real estate brokerage franchise offering full-service, flat-fee home listing and buyer representation, serving residential sellers and buyers, and known for discount commissions, strong marketing systems, and a proven model that competes with traditional high-commission brokerages.
?
?

Windermere Real Estate is a real-estate brokerage franchise offering home-buying, selling and leasing services across multiple states, serving agents and clients, and known for community-centred culture, advanced marketing tools and proven franchise systems.
?
?

Intero Real Estate Services is a real-estate brokerage franchise offering full-service buying, selling and leasing of homes and commercial properties, serving agents and clients, and known for strong training, agent-centric model and technology-enabled branding.
?
?

Valbridge is a valuation-services franchise offering real-estate appraisal, review and consulting services for commercial and residential markets, serving lenders, brokers and property-owners, and known for national network, compliance focus and high-quality data standards.
?
?

Harcourts is a real-estate brokerage franchise offering residential and commercial brokerage services, serving property buyers, sellers and agents, and known for innovative tools, global network backing and culture focused on growth and professionalism.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.