Century 21 South Africa is on a mission to make real estate SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.™. With our franchising model, you can get the backing you need for success. And now's the time to take a leap. Eva August, Century 21 South Africa's National Operations Manager, covers franchising benefits, success stories, and the process of franchising with the brand.
Time to become a franchisee
When you become a real estate franchisee, you open up a world of opportunity. You become your own boss or give your existing business a boost with the backing of an established brand.
"Franchising has always been the best option," says August. "Now more than ever, the nature of business and scalability has changed in terms of value. Global business culture has evolved in a way where trust and reputation are currencies that companies trade on. As mature brands, like Century 21 South Africa, have developed this currency over a long time, it makes it easier for you to enter the market as a franchise business partner. In essence, you get to stand on the shoulders of giants."
Franchise with an international brand
When entrepreneurial property practitioners operate independently, they often face challenges and fail. Buying a franchise with an international brand ensures you have every tool you need to get ahead. After all, the franchiser is invested in your outcome.
After 50 years, August says Century 21 has honed a proven business model with systems, procedures, and mentorship programmes for franchisees. These are some of the big benefits of partnering with the brand.
- Brand recognition: Buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords automatically trust (or distrust) a property practitioner based on the reputation of their brand. Century 21's presence on global lists and awards have made it a household name. You'll discover potential clients will often reach out to you first for their real estate needs. And when you're ready to resell and retire, this brand equity will ensure your franchise is snapped up quickly.
- Training and mentorship: With the right grounding, you and your property practitioner team will be prepared for the challenges of the industry. Employee training also has an impact on employee engagement and satisfaction. Century 21 South Africa provides access to Century 21 University - a global standard real estate training platform, one of the most comprehensive education and training resources for real estate professionals in the world. In addition to the great tools and resources available, the brand offers a wealth of learning programmes.
- Marketing: When you partner with Century 21 you can rest assured that local, national, and international marketing is taken care of. Through its partnerships and presence on the biggest national digital platforms, not to mention local marketing unique to your business and area, you can get your franchise on the map.
- Global referral network: Century 21 boasts 10,000 independently owned and operated franchised offices, and 132,000 sales associates in 83 countries and territories worldwide. This opens your business up to hundreds of international transactions through its business network.
"Proven" isn't a word that Century 21 South Africa throws around lightly. August says the pros of franchising with the Century 21 brand has seen many make their mark on the real estate landscape.
Century 21 South Africa franchisee successes
Is becoming a franchisee worth it? Yes, and Century 21 South Africa's success stories are testament to the brand's investment in the process, points out August.
"Rookie agents in Century 21 South Africa have become top national property practitioners and millionaires, later becoming successful franchisees in multiple critical territories in South Africa.
"We've had business owners, who operated as independent businesses, rebrand to the Century 21 model. With our help, they've taken their business to extreme wealth and high market value for resale.
"Even rental property practitioners have found their place as franchisers. Those working for independent companies have joined Century 21 South Africa. We've had cases where they have become successful franchisees with a team of 30 agents, all within 12 months."
If you have doubts about franchising, August advises you to contact your potential franchiser and get information on what they offer and what their franchisees have achieved. You should also be mindful of the misconceptions surrounding franchising that can sway your decision.
"People say the market is saturated which isn't true. Most territories in South Africa remain untapped in terms of potential and profit for a professional who is connected to the right brand.
"Also, don't believe those who say franchisees earn less because of royalty fees and are restricted. You'll find the cost of franchise fees and royalties pale in comparison to leverage unlocked and volume of business created through the network. Your return on investment needs to be accurately analysed, compared to operating alone and having limited financial results."
Entry requirements for Century 21 South Africa franchisees
With an efficient process, Century 21 South Africa is one of the easiest brands to open a franchise with in the country. August says prospective candidates will need the following:
- A proven track record in business ownership and leadership.
- A qualification equivalent to NQF5.
- Financial resources for the first 12 months according to Century 21 South Africa's cash flow model.
And how much does it cost to open a franchise with the business? The price point for new franchises ranges from R200,000 to R500,000. According to August, Century 21 South Africa has an investment model directly correlated to the market value specific to any territory in South Africa. It has the data to certify the real estate sales activity anywhere and link that market share potential to the licence fee for a Century 21 South Africa business.
If you meet the criteria, you are welcome to apply for a franchise. The process consists of one to three interviews with members of the franchising panel for vetting and approval or decline. The average application journey time from first contact to decision can take as quick as two weeks if all data is submitted at the start.
Unlock franchising opportunities with Century 21 South Africa
Starting a journey as a franchisee is not without its hardships. However, August encourages interested parties to get in touch.
"You have nothing to lose. It is important for initial steps to be taken to determine what you think of the culture and ethos of Century 21 and if you could be a great fit. There is never an obligation but only answers to questions. The process is simple too - contact Century 21 South Africa through our national website to start. Our franchise development team are friendly people, available to go through a discovery process with you."
For franchise information or to enquire further, visit our Franchise Opportunities page today.