Sunbelt franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Sunbelt franchise fee is $34,500 to $49,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $57,950 to $118,500, with about $15,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Sunbelt FDD.
What are the Sunbelt franchise fees and investment?
The Sunbelt franchise requires a franchise fee of $34,500 to $49,500 and a total initial investment of $57,950 to $118,500. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $34,500 to $49,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $57,950 to $118,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $15,000 |
| US locations | 122 |
| Industry | Real Estate (Brokerage) |
| Headquarters | Independence, Ohio |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Franchising since | 2005 |
How does the Sunbelt investment compare with other real estate franchises?
Sunbelt's minimum investment of $57,950 is at or below the median minimum investment of $97,161 across the 116 real estate franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 75 of the other 115 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $34,500 compares with an industry median of $34,750.
What should you verify in the Sunbelt FDD?
Verify six parts of the Sunbelt Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Sunbelt discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Sunbelt?
These real estate franchises have the closest minimum investment to Sunbelt:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Valley Real Estate | $5,000 to $15,000 | $58,500 to $206,500 |
| Blue Moon Estate Sales | $24,500 to $57,000 | $57,015 to $113,325 |
| Nest Seekers | $25,000 to $85,000 | $56,910 to $449,390 |
| Red Barn | $34,500 | $59,465 to $257,820 |
| Motto Mortgage | $35,000 | $55,700 to $239,750 |
See every brand in real estate franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sunbelt franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Sunbelt franchise ranges from $57,950 to $118,500, including a franchise fee of $34,500 to $49,500, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Sunbelt franchise?
Sunbelt lists a minimum of about $15,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Sunbelt locations are there?
Sunbelt reported 122 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Sunbelt been franchising?
Sunbelt started offering franchises in 2005 after the company was founded in 1978.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Sunbelt and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunbelt. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.