Established
2003
Franchise Units
5
Minimum Investment
$49,500
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$128,000
Home Based
No
Description
Lakefront Living International, LLC is a highly specialized real estate franchise designed for one of the most profitable and passion-driven niches in the property market: lakefront homes. Instead of competing in the saturated general real estate category, Lakefront Living focuses exclusively on helping buyers and sellers navigate the unique world of lakefront properties—a segment where lifestyle, emotion, and financial value meet. The brand has built a trusted reputation across the United States by combining deep local expertise, advanced marketing systems, and proprietary tools that simplify and elevate the lakefront buying experience.
What makes Lakefront Living stand out is its lifestyle-centric approach. Every franchise owner becomes the go-to expert for lakefront real estate in their territory—positioning themselves as a leader in a category where demand is steady, inventory is limited, and buyers are highly motivated. The franchise balances passion and profitability, enabling entrepreneurs to build a real estate business rooted in lifestyle, outdoor recreation, and dream-home ownership. With its proven business model, strong national branding, and comprehensive support framework, Lakefront Living International offers a franchise opportunity that combines the emotional appeal of waterfront living with the dependable revenue potential of real estate.
Background
Lakefront Living International, LLC is a specialized real estate franchise built around one of the most desirable and emotionally driven niches in the U.S. market: lakefront and waterfront property sales. The company’s roots date back to 2003, when founder Scott Freerksen launched a boutique real estate service devoted exclusively to the unique world of lakefront living. His vision was to simplify the complex process of buying and selling lake homes by providing clients with accurate lake data, lifestyle insights, and localized expertise that traditional real-estate firms often cannot match.
The strong reception to this niche-focused model inspired the creation of Lakefront Living International, LLC — formally established in 2014 as the national franchise arm. By 2016, the company began offering franchise opportunities to real-estate professionals across the United States. The franchise was designed to give brokers and agents exclusive rights to represent specific lake regions, supported by proprietary technology, standardized marketing systems, and lake-specific expertise cultivated over more than a decade.
The brand has since grown into a boutique yet nationally recognized franchise system, positioned as the only real estate model dedicated 100% to lakefront property transactions. Unlike general real-estate brokerages, Lakefront Living equips franchisees with specialized search tools, environmental and regulatory insight, and comprehensive buyer education systems — all tailored to lakefront markets.
Industry Category:
Residential Real Estate Franchise – Waterfront & Lakefront Property Specialty
Market Presence in the USA:
Lakefront Living maintains a growing presence in key lake regions across the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and parts of the South. Their reputation as the go-to specialists for lake home sales has allowed them to carve out a differentiated brand identity in a competitive real-estate environment. The franchise appeals to both lifestyle-driven buyers and serious investors, positioning itself as the trusted national authority on lakefront living.
Support Training
Lakefront Living International places a high emphasis on franchisee success, offering one of the most structured support systems in the boutique real estate franchise sector.
Pre-Launch Support:
• Territory assessment and exclusive lake mapping
• Assistance with licensing requirements
• Setup of the lakefront search engine tools
• Onboarding guidance on brand standards and technology
• Initial marketing launch plan tailored to local lake regions
Operational Training:
• In-depth training on lakefront real estate laws, regulations, and environmental conditions
• Guidance on lead generation, listing acquisition, and buyer consulting
• Training on the lifestyle-driven sales process used for lakefront buyers
• Hands-on onboarding with CRM, website systems, and brand technology
Marketing Support:
• Access to a national marketing library
• Professionally built website and lakefront search tools
• Digital marketing campaigns
• Lead-generation support and SEO best practices
• Social media templates, branding assets, and lake lifestyle messaging
Ongoing Support:
• Continuous coaching from industry experts
• Monthly strategy calls and performance reviews
• Updates to proprietary technology platforms
• Annual conferences and networking events
• Expansion planning and territory growth guidance
Ideal Candidate
Lakefront Living International is best suited for individuals who love real estate, enjoy working with lifestyle-driven clients, and want to build a business around outdoor recreation and premium property sales.
Best-Fit Franchisees Include:
• Licensed real estate agents or brokers seeking a profitable niche
• Entrepreneurs passionate about lakes, boating, or vacation-home living
• Professionals transitioning into real estate with strong client-service skills
• Investors who want to own a scalable real estate business with premium transaction values
• Individuals who prefer working with motivated, financially stable buyers
Business & Personality Traits:
• Excellent communication and networking abilities
• Comfort with real estate technology platforms
• Interest in outdoor lifestyles and lake culture
• Ability to build relationships in local markets
• Strong professional discipline and follow-through
Investment Capability:
The franchise requires moderate investment, suitable for entrepreneurs with access to capital and professional-level income goals. Franchise owners can operate independently or scale into a multi-agent business depending on territory performance.
Location Preference:
Ideal for regions with strong lake communities, seasonal tourism, and high-value waterfront markets across the United States.
Financial Detail
| Category | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $49,500 – $128,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | Approximately $50,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $45,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% – 8% of gross commissions |
| Technology / Website / CRM Fees | $200 – $600 per month |
| Marketing Budget (Initial 3–6 Months) | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Infrastructure & Office Setup | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital | $7,500 – $20,000 |
| Training & Onboarding Costs | Included in franchise fee (additional optional programs may have small fees) |
| Expected ROI | Strong potential due to high-value lakefront property commissions |
| Break-Even Timeline | 6–18 months (varies by territory & market activity) |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Buyer transactions, seller listings, luxury lake homes, second homes, vacation investments, referral income, territory expansion |