Harcourts is an international real estate franchise with roots that trace back to 1888, when John Bateman Harcourt founded Harcourt & Co. in Wellington, New Zealand. What began as a local agency steadily expanded throughout the country, eventually leading to the introduction of its franchise program in 1988—a move that set the stage for the brand’s global growth.
The company is now based in Brisbane, Australia, and has developed into a worldwide network operating in more than 10 countries with a footprint of over 900 offices.
Harcourts delivers a comprehensive real estate service platform that covers residential property sales, commercial and rural brokerage, property management, and related mortgage and financial support offerings. The brand’s long-standing reputation centers on professionalism, client care, and an emphasis on people-focused service.
A key part of Harcourts’ competitive edge is the blend of its long history with a forward-thinking, technology-driven model. The company continues to invest in digital marketing, advanced customer management systems, and data-powered tools that help both agents and franchise owners succeed in a modern marketplace.
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.
Harcourts provides a structured training program to its franchisees through various initiatives. Here are the main training programs and support provided by the franchisor:
Harcourts grants its franchisees an exclusive territory based on one or more zip codes. This territory is confirmed in writing and mapped out in the Franchise Agreement, giving the franchisee the sole right to operate a Harcourts office in that area.
However, the exclusivity is conditional: the franchisee must meet performance benchmarks, referred to as Key Performance Indicators, which are determined collaboratively based on local market factors.
If a Harcourts franchisee fails to meet these Key Performance Indicators for three consecutive months or three months in a year, the franchisor has the right to revoke territorial exclusivity. This would allow Harcourts to open other franchises in the same territory, even adjacent to the underperforming office.
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Below are some of
Harcourts
key competitors in the
Broker/Realtor
sector.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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