2009
8
$136,000
$25,000
$270,000
No
Imagine stepping into the real estate space with a brand that redefines how homes are sold in today’s market. With the franchise offering from FSBOHOMES, you have the chance to join a forward-thinking brokerage model that empowers homeowners while equipping franchisees with the tools to build a thriving business. This isn’t simply listing houses—it’s reshaping the way people buy and sell by offering improved service, lower commissions, and a streamlined process.
From the outset, FSBOHOMES has differentiated itself by combining full-service support (appraisals, legal, marketing) with the value proposition of cost-effective home selling. That creates a unique position in the U.S. market: bridging consumer demand for simplicity and value, while giving franchise partners a high-leverage business model. If you’re looking for a real estate franchise opportunity that aligns with modern consumer behavior, FSBOHOMES stands as a proven and scalable concept.
In an industry crowded with traditional brokers, FSBOHOMES stands out by fostering a seller-centric environment where homeowners retain more equity yet still benefit from professional support. For the franchisee, that means fewer legacy constraints, a clearer market message, and the potential to capture both seller and buyer leads efficiently.
Distinctive Market Position – FSBOHOMES taps into a powerful market trend: homeowners seeking to sell without high commissions while maintaining full professional guidance.
Growing Demand for Alternatives – As traditional brokerage models face scrutiny, cost-efficient and tech-enabled solutions like FSBOHOMES are in high demand.
Operational Efficiency – With a turnkey system, comprehensive training, and ongoing support, franchisees can launch quickly and reduce start-up risk.
Multiple Revenue Streams – Earn through listing fees, transaction closing fees, appraisals, legal referrals, staging, marketing services, and more.
Scalable Model – The flexible business model allows for growth in multiple territories with shared marketing, staff, and technology resources.
Trusted Brand Reputation – FSBOHOMES has built credibility through consistent results and strong customer satisfaction across its network.
Established Year: 2009
Company Name: Originally founded as FSBO Homes Iowa, LLC and rebranded to FSBOHOMES.com, LLC in 2013
Headquarters: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
Founders: Developed by a team of real estate professionals who recognized a need for a better, more affordable home-selling process for homeowners
Industry Category: Real Estate Brokerage | Property Marketing | Home-Selling Services
Brand Story & Evolution:
FSBOHOMES was created to simplify the way homeowners sell their properties without paying high real estate commissions. The founders saw the growing frustration among sellers who wanted to retain more of their home equity while still getting professional guidance. They designed a model that blended technology, transparency, and expert support—allowing sellers to handle much of the process themselves while relying on FSBOHOMES’ tools and services for valuation, marketing, legal preparation, and buyer management.
What began as a small Iowa-based concept quickly proved its success. By empowering homeowners through a full-service support system—without the traditional 6% commission model—FSBOHOMES became a go-to solution for cost-conscious sellers. Its franchise system was introduced to replicate this success in other U.S. markets, giving entrepreneurs a way to operate a profitable real estate business while providing true value to clients.
Company Journey:
2009: FSBO Homes Iowa, LLC was founded to offer an alternative to traditional real estate listings.
2013: Rebranded as FSBOHOMES.com, LLC to reflect its national growth and digital-first focus.
2014–2018: The company expanded beyond Iowa, opening franchise units in multiple U.S. states, leveraging its proprietary technology and home-selling process.
Today: FSBOHOMES continues to grow its national footprint, focusing on mid-sized and metropolitan U.S. markets. The franchise system combines local expertise with centralized marketing and operational support.
Franchise Units: Approximately 8 locations across the United States, with open territories available for new franchise development.
Ownership & Management: Privately held and operated by the founding leadership team, FSBOHOMES remains committed to innovation, customer savings, and technology-driven home selling.
Market Presence: FSBOHOMES has carved out a solid niche in the “For Sale By Owner” and “Assisted FSBO” segment of the U.S. real estate market. Its combination of professional services, proprietary listing technology, and affordable pricing allows it to compete effectively with traditional brokerages and online listing platforms alike.
Competitive Advantage:
Lower fees and more savings for sellers compared to traditional agents
Proprietary home marketing technology and digital listing system
Transparent and efficient process backed by professional service providers
Strong local brand recognition and repeat client referrals
Mission Statement:
To empower homeowners to sell their homes faster, smarter, and for more money—without unnecessary commission costs—while giving franchise partners a proven model for sustainable business growth in the real estate industry.
FSBOHOMES has built its franchise system on a foundation of strong training, continuous guidance, and proven operational tools designed to ensure every new franchisee launches successfully and scales confidently. The brand understands that real estate is as much about trust and systems as it is about sales—so their support structure is designed to help you master every aspect of the business, from pre-launch preparation to long-term growth.
Before opening your FSBOHOMES location, you’ll participate in a comprehensive pre-launch training program. This program combines classroom-style instruction with real-world operational training. It covers every element of setting up and running your franchise, including:
Business setup and compliance requirements
Site selection, lease negotiation, and office layout guidance
Equipment, signage, and technology installation
Staff recruitment and onboarding assistance
Local market research, pricing strategy, and competitive positioning
By the time you open your doors, you’ll have a detailed understanding of the FSBOHOMES system, technology, and service process.
Each franchise owner and their team receive in-depth hands-on training that typically includes:
Classroom Training (approx. 20 hours): Comprehensive sessions at corporate headquarters covering brand standards, business operations, marketing systems, and customer service techniques.
On-the-Job Training (approx. 20 hours): Field experience at an established FSBOHOMES location, allowing you to shadow experienced operators and learn directly from their best practices.
Technology & CRM Training: Guidance on using FSBOHOMES’ proprietary listing platform, CRM system, and online marketing tools to manage clients and leads effectively.
The franchisor provides robust marketing support to ensure your local launch captures attention and builds trust immediately:
Grand Opening Campaign: Custom marketing strategy for your first 90 days, including digital ads, community events, and social promotions.
National Marketing Collateral: Access to brand-approved templates for digital ads, signage, brochures, postcards, and online listings.
SEO & Digital Strategy: Guidance on optimizing your local website page for maximum visibility on search engines.
Social Media and PR Toolkit: Pre-designed social posts, content ideas, and press release templates for your market introduction.
FSBOHOMES franchisees receive continuous operational guidance to ensure smooth daily performance and steady growth:
Dedicated Franchise Support Team: A direct line to experienced business coaches for questions about operations, sales, or marketing.
Regular Webinars & Coaching Calls: Monthly strategy sessions to review performance metrics and implement system updates.
Operations Manual: Comprehensive documentation outlining every process—from lead handling and home evaluations to staging, marketing, and closing procedures.
Technology Assistance: Ongoing updates to the listing portal, automation tools, and CRM system to streamline workflow and improve client experience.
Performance Reviews: Periodic assessments to track key performance indicators (KPIs), marketing ROI, and sales results.
Franchise Knowledge Portal: Online learning platform featuring training videos, tutorials, brand guidelines, and compliance materials.
Lead Management Training: Learn how to capture, nurture, and convert leads efficiently using the FSBOHOMES system.
Vendor Network Setup: Guidance on building partnerships with appraisers, attorneys, mortgage advisors, photographers, and stagers to deliver a full-service experience to clients.
Scaling Support: Strategies for opening multiple territories or expanding your existing market footprint.
Benchmarking & Market Insights: Access to national data trends, marketing metrics, and industry insights to help optimize pricing and advertising spend.
Refresher Training: Optional advanced training sessions each year for franchise owners and staff to update skills and learn about new system enhancements.
Regional Franchise Conferences: Opportunities to network with other franchisees, share strategies, and gain exposure to new technology and marketing updates.
FSBOHOMES integrates technology-driven marketing and customer acquisition tools:
A powerful lead management dashboard that tracks buyer and seller inquiries
Automated communication tools to follow up with prospects
Property listing optimization for local SEO
Centralized call-tracking and analytics systems to measure marketing effectiveness
| Support Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-Launch | Site setup, business registration, staff training, and marketing launch planning |
| Initial Training | 40+ hours of in-person and on-site learning covering sales, tech, and operations |
| Marketing Support | Local SEO, social campaigns, ad templates, and PR support |
| Ongoing Assistance | Continuous mentorship, webinars, and business reviews |
| Technology Tools | Proprietary CRM, listing software, automation tools, and analytics |
| Vendor Setup | Support connecting with legal, appraisal, and staging professionals |
| Refresher Training | Annual or quarterly sessions to maintain performance and compliance |
The FSBOHOMES franchise is designed for entrepreneurs who want to build a scalable business in real estate while making a genuine impact in their community. It attracts individuals who believe in innovation, value transparency, and see opportunity in helping homeowners save money while still accessing professional guidance. The ideal FSBOHOMES franchisee combines business acumen, local market understanding, and a passion for delivering high-value service in a modern, tech-driven way.
FSBOHOMES franchisees are not just agents—they are business owners with a clear vision for growth. You should enjoy developing local brand presence, building a team, and scaling operations. The system rewards individuals who think strategically, lead confidently, and see opportunity where others see limitations.
Goal-oriented and self-driven leaders
Capable of managing both people and performance metrics
Committed to following proven systems while adding their own business creativity
While prior real estate experience is beneficial, it’s not mandatory. FSBOHOMES provides comprehensive training that equips you with all necessary tools and knowledge. However, candidates with the following backgrounds often thrive faster:
Real Estate or Mortgage Services: Realtors, brokers, appraisers, or home loan professionals
Sales & Marketing Professionals: Strong background in client relations, networking, and local outreach
Business Management or Entrepreneurship: Prior experience running or managing a small business
Home Improvement or Property Services: Knowledge of home staging, renovation, or property valuation adds an advantage
Prospective franchisees should have the financial capacity to comfortably invest and sustain operations during the initial months. The average total investment for an FSBOHOMES franchise ranges between $136,000 and $270,000, with a franchise fee of $25,000. You should also have sufficient working capital ($75,000–$100,000) for marketing, staffing, and local outreach during the launch period.
Capable of funding start-up and early operating expenses
Willing to reinvest profits into marketing and business expansion
Comfortable managing budgets, forecasting, and financial planning
FSBOHOMES franchise owners are change-makers in their markets. You should be passionate about modernizing how real estate works—offering homeowners a smarter, more affordable path to sell their homes.
Enthusiastic about technology and automation in real estate
Believes in offering transparent, customer-first services
Eager to educate clients about better ways to sell and buy homes
This business thrives on trust, community connections, and local visibility. A successful franchisee enjoys building relationships with homeowners, business owners, and community influencers.
Skilled at networking, hosting open houses, and community events
Comfortable in marketing, presentations, and local PR
Builds long-term trust with clients through transparency and professionalism
Because real estate success depends heavily on local insights, FSBOHOMES seeks owners who are rooted in their community or eager to establish a strong local presence.
Familiar with neighborhood demographics and property trends
Active participant in local organizations, chambers, and business groups
Committed to growing both the brand and local economic development
Customer experience drives referrals, and referrals drive growth. FSBOHOMES franchisees must value service quality, honesty, and professionalism.
Dedicated to maintaining brand reputation and service standards
Prioritizes client satisfaction and consistent follow-up
Willing to train and lead staff to deliver a superior customer experience
FSBOHOMES offers scalability—whether through multiple territories or expanded service offerings. The ideal franchisee looks beyond short-term profit and focuses on building a sustainable, multi-year growth plan.
Sees the franchise as a long-term investment
Plans to expand territory coverage as operations mature
Invests in technology, marketing, and team development for continued growth
| Category | Ideal Traits & Requirements |
|---|---|
| Mindset | Entrepreneurial, goal-oriented, innovative |
| Experience | Background in real estate, sales, or business management (preferred but not required) |
| Investment Capability | $136,000 – $270,000 total investment; $25,000 franchise fee |
| Skills | Networking, local marketing, leadership, and client service |
| Passion | Belief in improving home-selling systems and saving homeowners money |
| Location Preference | Metro and mid-sized U.S. cities with growing real estate markets |
| Commitment | Full-time focus, long-term vision, and dedication to brand values |
FSBOHOMES offers a structured and transparent investment model that appeals to entrepreneurs seeking to enter the real estate industry with moderate startup costs and strong earning potential. Below is a breakdown of estimated financial requirements and potential returns for franchisees based on publicly available data and average industry benchmarks.
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | One-time fee granting the right to operate under the FSBOHOMES brand, including training and access to proprietary systems. |
| Total Initial Investment | $136,000 – $270,000 | Inclusive of all start-up expenses: lease, equipment, technology, marketing, and working capital. |
| Working Capital | $73,000 – $110,000 | Funds required for first 3–6 months to cover operational costs such as payroll, utilities, and advertising. |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Gross Sales | Ongoing fee paid to the franchisor for continued brand support, training, and system updates. |
| Advertising/Marketing Fee | Up to 4% | Contribution to national and local marketing programs to drive brand awareness and leads. |
| Technology & Software Fee | Included | Access to proprietary listing portal, CRM system, and marketing automation tools. |
| Office Build-Out / Leasehold Improvements | $20,000 – $60,000 | Costs for location setup, signage, furniture, and compliance with brand design standards. |
| Equipment & Supplies | $10,000 – $20,000 | Computers, software, marketing materials, and real estate signage. |
| Training & Travel Expenses | $3,000 – $5,000 | Travel and accommodation during initial training at headquarters. |
| Insurance & Legal Setup | $2,000 – $5,000 | Coverage for business liability and local legal compliance. |
| Grand Opening Marketing Campaign | $10,000 – $20,000 | Advertising push for your launch including local ads, PR, and social campaigns. |
| Fee Type | Amount / Description |
|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross revenue, paid monthly |
| Marketing Fund Contribution | Up to 4% of monthly sales |
| Technology Maintenance Fee | Typically included in royalty |
| Renewal Fee | 25% of the then-current franchise fee at the time of renewal |
| Training Refreshers / Conferences | Optional annual attendance for skill upgrades and system updates |
| Metric | Estimate / Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Break-Even Point | 6 to 24 months | Depends on location size, marketing effort, and lead conversion rate. |
| Average Gross Margin | 35% – 55% | Based on revenue from listing packages, buyer commissions, and service add-ons. |
| Typical Annual Revenue Range | $300,000 – $800,000+ | Varies based on territory size, market conditions, and performance. |
| Expected ROI Timeline | 2 – 4 years | Dependent on operational efficiency and reinvestment in marketing. |
| Revenue Streams | Listing commissions, buyer fees, vendor partnerships, referral income, and marketing services. |
Listing Packages & Seller Commissions: Revenue from homeowners listing through FSBOHOMES’ system.
Buyer-Side Services: Commissions from assisting qualified buyers.
Vendor Partnerships: Earnings from appraisers, home inspectors, staging experts, and legal professionals.
Advertising & Marketing Add-Ons: Income from optional promotional upgrades for clients.
Referral & Closing Fees: Commissions on referred mortgage or title services.
