Engel & Völkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage

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Engel & Völkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage

Engel & Völkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Engel & Völkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage provides premium real estate services, offering personalized support for buying, selling, and renting properties.

Engel & Völkers is a prestigious real estate franchise renowned for its focus on luxury properties and high-end clientele. Established in Hamburg, Germany, in 1977 by Dirk Engel and Christian Völkers, the brand has grown into a worldwide name with operations spanning more than 30 countries.

Since transitioning to a franchise model in 2006, Engel & Völkers has empowered independent professionals to offer its signature premium services under its globally recognized brand. The company specializes in the sale and leasing of upscale residential homes, commercial properties, and development ventures.

What sets Engel & Völkers apart is its commitment to the luxury market, a unified and elegant brand presentation, and a vast international network that enhances client reach and service quality.

The franchise also extends beyond real estate, offering elite brokerage services in the yachting and private aviation sectors—an added value for affluent customers seeking comprehensive lifestyle solutions.

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.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise FeeMinimum of $35,000
Training Fees$690 – $5,594
Training Fee for Brokerage Manager$0 – $2,498
Travel and Accommodation Expenses While Training$5,000 – $10,000
Leasehold ImprovementsVaries
License and Trade Requirements(See Note 5)
Furniture, Equipment and Signage$50,000 – $120,000
Supplies$5,000 – $15,000
MLS Research/Set Up FeeVaries
Computer and Network$15,000 – $30,000
Advertising$3,500 – $15,000
Insurance$5,000 – $8,000
Grand Opening$5,000 – $25,000
Printing and Promotional Supplies$2,500 – $7,500
Additional Funds – 3 Months$50,000 – $150,000
Totals$176,690 – $423,592
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise FeeMinimum of $35,000
Training Fees$690 – $5,594
Training Fee for Brokerage Manager$0 – $2,498
Travel and Accommodation Expenses While Training$5,000 – $10,000
Leasehold ImprovementsVaries
License and Trade Requirements(See Note 5)
Furniture, Equipment and Signage$50,000 – $120,000
Supplies$5,000 – $15,000
MLS Research/Set Up FeeVaries
Computer and Network$15,000 – $30,000
Advertising$3,500 – $15,000
Insurance$5,000 – $8,000
Grand Opening$5,000 – $25,000
Printing and Promotional Supplies$2,500 – $7,500
Additional Funds – 3 Months$50,000 – $150,000
Totals$176,690 – $423,592

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Engel & Völkers provides a detailed and multi-layered training structure designed to ensure franchisees and their teams are fully equipped to operate under the brand's standards. Here are the training programs provided by the franchisor:

  1. Leadership Path Training (LPT)
    This is the core initial training program that must be attended by the franchisee, designated Principals, or the brokerage manager if they will be actively involved. It includes virtual or in-person sessions focused on brand systems, business planning, leadership, marketing tools, and operational strategies. Attendance is mandatory, and the Initial Franchise Fee covers training for one person.
  2. Sales Advisor System Training (Engel & Völkers Engage)
    All sales advisors and support staff must complete this training. It is generally conducted via a virtual web-based platform and focuses on the specific sales systems and customer interaction strategies used within the Engel & Völkers framework.
  3. Support Path Training (SPT)
    At least one staff member per franchise location, who supports sales advisors, must attend this specialized support training. It ensures internal administrative roles align with the brand's service expectations and operational protocols.

Territory Protection

Engel & Völkers provides franchisees with a “Protected Area,” which is typically defined by U.S. postal zip codes. Within this territory, the franchisor agrees not to place another Engel & Völkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage, as long as the franchisee is not in default.

This exclusivity applies to the establishment of physical brokerage locations and is intended to preserve market integrity for each franchisee. However, this territory protection does not prevent other franchisees, affiliates, or the franchisor from advertising, marketing, or even soliciting clients within the Protected Area.

They may conduct national or internet-based promotions that reach customers in any region, including areas granted to other franchisees. The franchisor also reserves the right to reduce the Protected Area if the franchisee fails to open agreed-upon additional locations.

Competitors

Below are some of

Engel & Völkers Residential Real Estate Brokerage

key competitors in the

Broker/Realtor

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

190

New
+
8%
8%

$35,000

$177,000

$424,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Windermere Real Estate

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.

Franchisees

?

299
+
-1%
-1%
Investment

?

$271,000 - $1,171,000

Intero Real Estate Services

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.

Franchisees

?

29
+
-19%
-19%
Investment

?

$210,000 - $855,000

Valbridge

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
-100%
-100%
Investment

?

$70,000 - $164,000

Harcourts

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.

Franchisees

?

24
+
20%
20%
Investment

?

$151,000 - $360,000

Iron Valley

Iron Valley Real Estate is a real estate franchise offering brokerage services and agent support systems, serving buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals, and known for its agent-centric commission model, low startup costs, and modern technology.

Franchisees

?

44
+
47%
47%
Investment

?

$59,000 - $207,000

Watters International Realty

Watters International Realty is a real estate franchise offering comprehensive services for buying and selling homes, known for its innovative marketing strategies and client-focused approach.

Franchisees

?

10
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$49,000 - $201,000