Home Instead vs Realty ONE Group: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Senior Care Real Estate Real Data Not Investment Advice
HI

Home Instead

Senior Care
$91K – $270K
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VS
RO

Realty ONE Group

Real Estate
$22K – $243K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Realty ONE Group wins on investment range ($27K less) vs Home Instead.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
Realty ONE Group wins on total units (19,381 more) vs Home Instead.
Satisfaction
Home Instead wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Realty ONE Group.

Investment & Fees

Metric Home Instead Realty ONE Group
Min Investment $91K $22K
Max Investment $270K $243K
Franchise Fee $54K $13K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 5.0%
Ad Fund Rate 1.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Home Instead Realty ONE Group
Avg Unit Revenue $2.6M N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Home Instead Realty ONE Group
Total Units 619 20,000
Annual Growth 1.0% N/A
Failure Rate 2.0% N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Home Instead Realty ONE Group
Franchisee Satisfaction 81/100 78/100

Track Record

Metric Home Instead Realty ONE Group
Years in Business 32 N/A
Years Franchising 30 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Home Instead Realty ONE Group
Min Net Worth Required $250K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $100K N/A

Operations

Metric Home Instead Realty ONE Group
Avg Employees 50 N/A
Training Weeks 3 N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Home Instead or Realty ONE Group a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Home Instead has 619 total units and a 81/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Realty ONE Group has 20,000 total units and a 78/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Home Instead franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Home Instead franchise requires an initial investment of $91K – $270K. The franchise fee is $54K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Realty ONE Group franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Realty ONE Group franchise requires an initial investment of $22K – $243K. The franchise fee is $13K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Home Instead vs Realty ONE Group?

Home Instead's royalty rate is 5.0%. Realty ONE Group's royalty rate is 5.0%. That means Realty ONE Group has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Home Instead or Realty ONE Group?

Home Instead has 619 total units. Realty ONE Group has 20,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Home Instead or Realty ONE Group semi-absentee friendly?

Home Instead is typically run as a owner-operator model. Realty ONE Group is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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