Realty ONE Group vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: Which Is the Better Investment?

Based on FranchiseStack.ai's analysis of 188+ franchise FDD filings — side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Updated 2026.

Real Estate Real Data Not Investment Advice
RO

Realty ONE Group

Real Estate
$22K – $243K
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VS
BH

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Real Estate
$25K – $150K
View Full Profile →

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
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices wins on investment range ($93K less) vs Realty ONE Group.
Fee Burden
Realty ONE Group wins on royalty rate (1.0% lower) vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
Unit Count
Realty ONE Group wins on total units (18,500 more) vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
Satisfaction
Realty ONE Group wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Detailed Analysis: Realty ONE Group vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Realty ONE Group and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Both operate in the Real Estate sector, which means they compete for similar customers and territory. Realty ONE Group has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.

From a capital perspective, Realty ONE Group has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. Realty ONE Group charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Realty ONE Group leads with a 78/100 satisfaction score, indicating that existing owners are more positive about their decision. Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Realty ONE Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Min Investment $22K $25K
Max Investment $243K $150K
Franchise Fee $13K $25K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Realty ONE Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Avg Unit Revenue N/A N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Realty ONE Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Total Units 20,000 1,500
Annual Growth N/A 80.0%
Failure Rate N/A N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Realty ONE Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Franchisee Satisfaction 78/100 75/100

Track Record

Metric Realty ONE Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Years in Business N/A N/A
Years Franchising N/A N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Realty ONE Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Min Net Worth Required N/A N/A
Liquid Capital Required N/A N/A

Operations

Metric Realty ONE Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Avg Employees N/A N/A
Training Weeks N/A N/A

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Realty ONE Group or Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Realty ONE Group has 20,000 total units and a 78/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has 1,500 total units and a 75/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

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.

How much does it cost to open a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise requires an initial investment of $25K – $150K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Realty ONE Group vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices?

Realty ONE Group's royalty rate is 5.0%. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means Realty ONE Group has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Realty ONE Group or Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices?

Realty ONE Group has 20,000 total units. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has 1,500 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Realty ONE Group or Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices semi-absentee friendly?

Realty ONE Group is typically run as a owner-operator model. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 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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