How much does an SVN franchise cost in 2026?
The 2026 SVN Franchise Disclosure Document discloses two separate Estimated Initial Investment ranges: $37,235 to $84,950 for converting an existing commercial real estate firm and $48,500 to $124,150 for starting a new SVN franchise. The ranges are not interchangeable because the conversion model assumes an operating firm already has some premises, insurance, furniture, supplies, equipment, and near-term business activity.
These are the official 2026 Item 7 totals for one SVN Franchise Business at one approved location. Both totals include the Initial Franchise Fee, Product Council Marketing Fee, setup costs, and three months of Additional Funds. They do not include Royalties, owner or employee salaries and taxes, or financing costs. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 14–17.
Data basis. Legal franchisor: SVN International Corp. The FDD was issued March 31, 2026 and amended June 3, 2026. Applicable formats: converting an existing firm and starting a new SVN franchise. Cost analysis uses Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 17. Information was checked July 21, 2026.
No matching current FDD was located on an official franchise-controlled domain, so FDD citations are provided as unlinked Item and page references. The brand’s current public offer is described on the official U.S. SVN franchise page. The FTC franchise buying guide explains why the franchise fee must be evaluated separately from the full startup investment and continuing fees.
Key cost figures
What is included in the SVN initial investment?
The 2026 Item 7 total combines payments to SVN International Corp. with licensing, premises, signage, equipment, professional expenses, opening promotion, training expenses, and three months of Additional Funds. Conversion figures are lower where the FDD assumes the existing firm already has compliant assets or operating infrastructure.
Payments identified at signing
| Item 7 expenditure | Conversion | New franchise | Payment timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $30,000 | Lump sum when the Franchise Agreement is signed; state addenda may defer collection. |
| Product Council Marketing Fee | $1,800 | $1,800 | Collected at signing and prorated for the first calendar year. |
Premises, licensing, and office setup
| Item 7 expenditure | Conversion | New franchise | When due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker’s License | $100–$500 | $100–$500 | Before opening, paid to the state authority. |
| Insurance | $0–$10,000 | $2,000–$10,000 | Before opening for a new franchise; within 21 days after signing and before using the SVN name for a conversion. |
| Security Deposit and Rent, three months | $0 | $4,000–$7,000 | Before opening. |
| Leasehold Improvements | $0 | $0–$5,000 | Before opening. |
| Utility Deposits | $0–$300 | $0–$1,000 | Before opening. |
| Interior, Exterior, and Property Signage | $500–$3,500 | $500–$3,500 | Before opening. |
| Initial Office Furniture | $0 | $0–$5,000 | Before opening. |
| Initial Office Supplies | $0 | $0–$1,500 | Before opening. |
| Initial Office Equipment and Computer System | $500–$3,500 | $500–$3,500 | Before opening. |
Professional, launch, training, and working-capital costs
| Item 7 expenditure | Conversion | New franchise | When due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Business Cards, Stationery, and Printed Materials | $500–$850 | $500–$850 | Before opening, through approved vendors. |
| Legal and Professional Fees and Expenses | $0–$5,000 | $0–$5,000 | As incurred. |
| Initial Advertising | $100–$1,000 | $100–$1,000 | At opening. |
| Training Expenses | $0–$5,000 | $0–$5,000 | After opening, when training occurs. |
| Additional Funds, three months | $3,735–$23,500 | $9,000–$43,500 | As incurred during the initial operating period. |
| Official Item 7 Grand Total | $37,235–$84,950 | $48,500–$124,150 | 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 14–17. |
The chart uses the official low and high totals for each format. The axis runs from $0 to the highest disclosed total of $124,150.
Interpretation: the new-franchise range is wider because premises, insurance, furniture, supplies, and three-month operating funds can be materially higher than the conversion assumptions. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 14–17.
The lower conversion total does not mean every existing firm will spend near the low end. The FDD says some conversion costs are incremental while others may be in addition to the ordinary costs of the existing brokerage. A buyer should map each current asset—insurance, office, signs, furniture, equipment, printed materials, and pending transactions—to the exact Item 7 assumption before relying on the conversion range.
When is the money paid?
Most startup cash is paid between signing and opening, but the 2026 FDD separates signing payments, pre-opening vendor payments, opening expenses, and the first three months of operating funds. The franchisor estimates a typical opening period of 10 to 90 days after signing; it may terminate the Franchise Agreement if the office does not open within 120 days, subject to applicable law and state addenda. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 11, page 29.
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1
At Franchise Agreement signing
The standard Initial Franchise Fee is $30,000 and the Product Council Marketing Fee is collected for the first year on a prorated basis. A Small Market Franchisee pays a $20,000 Initial Franchise Fee, and a qualifying veteran receives a 15% reduction from the Initial Franchise Fee. State-specific deferral conditions can override the ordinary signing payment date.
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2
Before opening or brand use
Broker licensing, required insurance, premises costs, utility deposits, leasehold work, signage, furniture, supplies, office equipment, computer systems, and branded printed materials are generally paid to government authorities, landlords, insurers, or vendors. Conversion insurance must be in place within 21 days after signing and before operating under the SVN name.
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3
At opening and during initial training
Initial Advertising is due at opening. Training Expenses are incurred after opening when training occurs. The required online onboarding and initial Managing Director program are not charged to a new franchisee when completed in connection with the purchase, but the franchisee bears participant-related expenses.
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4
During the first three months
Additional Funds are used as expenses arise. They include the first three months of Platform Fees, SVN User Account Fees for one to three email accounts, and basic operating expenses. New-franchise Production Royalties and Property Management Royalties begin in the fourth month after the Franchise Agreement effective date.
State addenda can move the initial-fee payment date
The 2026 FDD contains fee-deferral provisions tied to the franchisor’s financial condition. The addenda for California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and Virginia defer some or all initial payments to SVN International Corp. until specified pre-opening obligations are completed; several require the franchise to be open before collection. The exact scope differs by state, so the state addendum controls over the general Item 5 timing.
State-source tools: California franchise resources, Minnesota franchise registration lookup, and Virginia franchise registration information. These are government verification resources, not links to an official SVN-hosted FDD.
Which SVN fees continue after opening?
After opening, the main continuing obligations are Production Royalties, Property Management Royalties when applicable, a Minimum Annual Royalty, the monthly Platform Fee, the annual Product Council Marketing Fee, and the quarterly SVN User Account Fee. A Brand Fund Contribution of up to 2% of Gross Receipts, including Property Management Revenue, is authorized but the 2026 FDD says the fund has not been formed.
| Continuing fee | 2026 disclosed basis | Timing | Key qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Royalties | 7% of annual Gross Receipts from $0 to $2,000,000; 5% on the portion over $2,000,000 through $4,000,000; 3% on the portion over $4,000,000. | Generally by the 10th calendar day after each Transaction Closing, or by the 10th of the following month where there is no Transaction Closing. | The tier resets each calendar year. A new SVN franchise starts paying in month four. |
| Property Management Royalties | 5% of Property Management Revenue up to $500,000 and 3% above $500,000 in a calendar year; 3% on all such revenue for a pre-existing Property Management Business. | By the 10th calendar day of the following month. | Due on Property Management Revenue; a new SVN franchise starts paying in month four. |
| Teams Royalties | 12% of Gross Receipts up to $1,000,000, 10% above $1,000,000, and 5% of Property Management Revenue. | Generally by the 10th calendar day after a Transaction Closing or by the 10th of the following month. | Only for an existing franchisee operating under the Teams Program. |
| Minimum Annual Royalty | Varies by Teams Program, Small Market status, standard status, first year, later years, renewal, or an additional franchise. | Any shortfall is due by January 31 after the calendar year. | Prorated for a partial calendar year; SVN can waive it temporarily and enforce it later. |
| Platform Fee | $1,200 per month. | By the 10th day of the month. | Covers access to the platform system and may be used by SVN for any purpose. |
| Product Council Marketing Fee | $1,800 per year. | January 1 each year after the prorated first year. | A Product Council or regional cooperative may require additional, unquantified contributions. |
| SVN User Account Fee | $45 per active email account per calendar quarter. | Quarterly upon invoice. | Charged for each active SVN email account at the Franchise Business. |
| Potential Brand Fund Contribution | No more than 2% of Gross Receipts, including Property Management Revenue. | At the same time as Royalties, after at least 30 days’ notice. | The fund had not been formed as of the 2026 FDD issuance date. |
Bars compare the fixed annual minimums for a first SVN franchise. The maximum axis is $50,000. These minimums are not estimates of total Royalties; they are floors.
Interpretation: the annual minimum becomes a larger fixed obligation after the first year. For a renewal or an additional SVN franchise, the annual minimum is $25,000 for Teams, $35,000 for Small Market, and $50,000 in all other cases. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pages 6–8.
The Minimum Annual Royalty applies even when percentage-based Royalties for the year are lower. The FDD’s state risk disclosures specifically flag mandatory minimum payments. A buyer should model the fixed royalty floor separately from percentage-based Production Royalties and Property Management Royalties.
Which fees arise only after a specific event?
Item 6 contains several fees that do not belong in the normal opening budget but can become material after a transfer, renewal, payment default, compliance problem, staffing change, optional service request, or early termination. The trigger matters as much as the amount.
Interest at 10% per year or the highest lawful rate, whichever is lower, plus costs and bank charges; a 10% late fee applies to Royalties not filed or paid within 10 days after the due date.
SVN’s costs and expenses are payable on demand if it elects to cure the franchisee’s default.
Up to $1,000 per month on demand for services, online marketing, or tracking systems that SVN provides.
The SVN Managing Director MDX Accelerator 2.0 fee is $5,000 per attendee for a new or replacement Managing Director, Broker In Charge, or other required attendee when the new-franchise waiver does not apply.
$799 to $1,300 per attendee before the conference, plus travel, lodging, and incidental expenses. Required attendees who do not attend may still be charged the conference fee.
Item 6 states $399 to $2,500 per attendee per event. Item 11 separately says current programs, conferences, and meetings can range to $2,599; verify the event-specific invoice.
$35 to $300 per hour for administrative, executive, accounting, or marketing support furnished at the franchisee’s request.
Audit or inspection costs plus lawful compound interest if the review shows at least 2% under-reporting, under-recording, or underpayment.
Variable losses and costs, including legal fees or settlements, tied to operation of the SVN Franchise Business.
$15,000 when the Franchise Agreement expires, payable only if SVN agrees to renew; SVN may waive or reduce the fee depending on signing timing.
$25,000 before a sale of the Franchise Business. No charge applies to a transfer into an entity the franchisee controls; if a proposed transfer is rejected, the fee is refunded less administrative costs.
3.9% of the total amount charged when a credit card is used to pay Franchise Agreement obligations.
25% of Gross Receipts may be charged if the franchisee relocates or opens an additional office without prior written consent.
An amount equal to the monthly Platform Fee for six months after two notices within 120 days for noncompliant advertising, marketing, or promotion.
$300 per hour when the franchisee asks SVN to review a proposed product, service, item, or supplier.
With consent, the applicable Production and Property Management Royalty percentages increase by 10%; without consent, they increase by 20%, along with then-current charges.
Liquidated Damages use the average monthly Royalties plus Platform Fees for the preceding 12 months, multiplied by the lesser of 24 or the remaining term months, subject to a stated Minimum Annual Royalty floor.
All costs, including attorneys’ fees, may be due when SVN prevails in specified litigation or arbitration, successfully defends a claim, or the franchisee bypasses required mediation.
Item 6 permits many required fees other than Royalties, the Renewal Fee, and the Transfer and Processing Fee to increase by up to 10% of the prior amount, no more than once in a calendar year, after 30 days’ written notice. The FDD also allows cumulative and compounded adjustments. Optional-service charges are not protected by those limits.
Why is converting an existing firm cheaper than starting new?
The conversion range is lower because the 2026 FDD assumes an existing commercial real estate firm may already have a compliant office, insurance, furniture, supplies, computer equipment, and pending transactions. The low end of the new-franchise range assumes SVN approves a home office, virtual operation, furnished executive suite, or co-working arrangement; the high end assumes more premises and operating costs.
- Office and rent
- Conversion: $0 for three months of rent and security deposit. New franchise: $4,000 to $7,000.
- Insurance
- Conversion low: $0 when existing coverage already meets SVN requirements. New franchise: $2,000 to $10,000.
- Furniture and supplies
- Conversion low: $0 where existing assets comply. New franchise combined ranges can reach $6,500.
- Additional Funds
- Conversion: $3,735 to $23,500. New franchise: $9,000 to $43,500 for the same three-month period.
- Training Expense assumption
- The $0 low assumes no Authorized Salespersons incur training expense; the $5,000 high assumes 10 Authorized Salespersons participate.
- One approved location
- The Franchise Agreement covers one SVN Franchise Business from one approved location. Additional offices or relocation require prior written approval.
Required purchases can also affect the range. Item 8 says approved or specified purchases include insurance, advertising, signage, equipment, branded business cards, postcards, stationery, brochures, proposals, and other marked office supplies. SVN is the sole supplier of its online tracking and marketing system and SVN email accounts. The FDD estimates required or specified purchases represent 1% to 67% of establishment purchases for a conversion and 21% to 77% for a new franchise, with 8% to 12% of ongoing purchases for both formats. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 8, pages 17–20.
What does the Item 7 total not resolve?
The official investment range is not a complete personal cash requirement. The 2026 FDD does not disclose a fixed minimum Liquid Capital requirement or a fixed initial Net Worth threshold for a new franchise applicant. It also does not promise financing. Owners of a Business Entity must sign a personal guaranty, and Item 17 says a transferee’s total net worth must meet SVN’s approval criteria without disclosing a numeric threshold.
- Royalties are excluded from Additional Funds. Item 7 expressly excludes Production Royalties and Property Management Royalties from the three-month estimate.
- Owner and employee salaries and taxes are excluded. A buyer must separately determine personal living expenses, payroll, contractor compensation, and related taxes.
- Financing costs are excluded. Interest, finance charges, and related borrowing costs are outside Item 7.
- SVN offers no financing. Item 10 states that SVN International Corp. does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a note, lease, or obligation.
- Premises assumptions require written confirmation. A home office, virtual model, executive suite, co-working space, or other location remains subject to SVN approval and applicable law.
- Local cooperative charges are not quantified. Product Councils and regional or local advertising cooperatives may require additional contributions beyond the $1,800 Product Council Marketing Fee.
- Technology can change. Item 11 says required computer systems may need upgrades or updates during the term, with no contractual limit on frequency or cost.
- State addenda can change payment timing. The payment calendar should be built from the state-specific Franchise Agreement and current registration record, not the general Item 5 rule alone.
Before signing, reconcile a buyer-specific cash schedule to the current Franchise Agreement: the applicable format, Small Market status, veteran reduction, state fee deferral, office approval, number of email accounts, number of training and conference attendees, insurance quotes, and the Minimum Annual Royalty category. None of those facts should be replaced by a generic “typical” budget.
What capital distinction matters most?
For a 2026 SVN franchise, the official startup range is $37,235 to $84,950 for an existing-firm conversion and $48,500 to $124,150 for a new franchise. The Initial Franchise Fee is only one part of those totals. The larger continuing commitments are the percentage-based Royalties, the applicable Minimum Annual Royalty, the $1,200 monthly Platform Fee, the $1,800 annual Product Council Marketing Fee, and event-triggered charges. The unresolved capital question is not a disclosed Liquid Capital threshold—it is whether the buyer’s actual premises, staffing, insurance, technology, and three-month cash needs fit the exact Item 7 assumptions for the chosen format and state.