A RE/MAX franchise in Ontario is a real estate brokerage — buying or selling one means transferring a RECO brokerage registration and a broker of record designation, not a restaurant lease or a liquor licence. We act as independent counsel for buyers and sellers of individual RE/MAX brokerage franchises in Ontario; this page is not affiliated with or endorsed by RE/MAX.
RE/MAX resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
A brokerage sale needs conditions covering both RE/MAX's franchisor consent and RECO's separate regulatory approval of the brokerage's registration and broker of record — two distinct approval tracks, not one.
2–3 weeks†Review of the buyer's real estate industry background, financial capacity, and broker of record qualifications before RE/MAX will consent to the transfer.
4–8 weeks†The brokerage's registration and its designated broker of record typically need RECO's own separate review and approval, independent of the franchisor's sign-off.
6–10 weeks, in parallel†Getting to closing
A franchisor-facilitated resale can look exempt from Arthur Wishart Act disclosure requirements — Ontario courts have read that resale exemption narrowly, so we assess whether disclosure may still be required.
assessed early, runs in parallel†Landlord consent to assign the brokerage's office lease into the buyer's name.
2–6 weeks†Agent affiliations, commission arrangements, and RECO-compliant trust account handling are worked through before funds and the file change hands.
3–6 weeks, then closing†Documented history: one of RE/MAX's earliest international expansions was into Canada, with the network expanding quickly through the following decades to become a major national real estate brand.
Ontario is one of RE/MAX Canada's largest provincial office networks.
This is the first real decision in a RE/MAX resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise agreement | New agreement typically issued by RE/MAX to the incoming broker/owner, on current terms. | Existing agreement can stay in place, with RE/MAX still reviewing and consenting to the ownership change. |
| RECO brokerage registration | The buyer's own brokerage entity typically needs its own RECO registration rather than inheriting the seller's. | The existing corporate registration can potentially continue, subject to RECO's review of the change in ownership and broker of record. |
| Broker of record | A qualified broker of record must be designated for the buyer's brokerage before it can operate. | The existing broker of record can continue, or a new one is designated and reviewed by RECO. |
| Sales representatives / agents | Agents are typically independent contractors who choose whether to re-affiliate with the new ownership rather than employees who transfer automatically. | Agent affiliation agreements generally continue with the corporation, though individual agents can still choose to leave. |
| Trust accounts | Client trust funds are handled under RECO's trust-handling rules through the transition — never simply merged or assumed. | Existing trust account arrangements continue, reviewed for RECO compliance as part of the ownership change. |
| Typical use | Common where the buyer wants a clean start with their own corporate entity. | Common where preserving the existing brokerage's registration history, agent roster, and MLS board standing matters most. |
New agreement typically issued by RE/MAX to the incoming broker/owner, on current terms.
Existing agreement can stay in place, with RE/MAX still reviewing and consenting to the ownership change.
The buyer's own brokerage entity typically needs its own RECO registration rather than inheriting the seller's.
The existing corporate registration can potentially continue, subject to RECO's review of the change in ownership and broker of record.
A qualified broker of record must be designated for the buyer's brokerage before it can operate.
The existing broker of record can continue, or a new one is designated and reviewed by RECO.
Agents are typically independent contractors who choose whether to re-affiliate with the new ownership rather than employees who transfer automatically.
Agent affiliation agreements generally continue with the corporation, though individual agents can still choose to leave.
Client trust funds are handled under RECO's trust-handling rules through the transition — never simply merged or assumed.
Existing trust account arrangements continue, reviewed for RECO compliance as part of the ownership change.
Common where the buyer wants a clean start with their own corporate entity.
Common where preserving the existing brokerage's registration history, agent roster, and MLS board standing matters most.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single-office RE/MAX brokerage changing hands between an outgoing and incoming broker/owner, with a straightforward lease and an agent roster ready to re-affiliate.
Start my file →A multi-office RE/MAX brokerage group, a broker of record transition RECO is reviewing closely, or a sale where a meaningful share of agents may not re-affiliate with the new ownership.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
No — a RE/MAX franchise is a real estate brokerage, so on top of the usual franchisor consent and Arthur Wishart Act disclosure considerations that apply to any Ontario franchise resale, you're also dealing with RECO's separate regulatory approval of the brokerage's registration and its broker of record. There's no liquor licence or health inspection involved, but the regulatory approval timeline can run just as long.
Real estate agents are typically independent contractors rather than employees, so they generally choose whether to re-affiliate with the brokerage under its new ownership rather than transferring automatically the way staff might on an asset sale of a restaurant. Keeping the existing agent roster engaged through the transition is often one of the most commercially important parts of the deal, even though it isn't a strict legal requirement.
RECO reviews and approves the individual designated as broker of record for a brokerage, separate from RE/MAX's own franchisor consent to the ownership transfer — both approvals are typically needed before the brokerage can operate under new ownership. We coordinate the timing of both processes so one doesn't stall the other.
Trust funds held by the brokerage are subject to RECO's trust-handling rules throughout the transition, and they aren't simply merged into the buyer's accounts or assumed without proper handover procedures. We make sure the trust account transition is documented and compliant before closing, not treated as an afterthought.
MLS board membership, such as with a regional real estate board, is typically held by the brokerage or its agents rather than automatically bundled into a resale, and continuity depends on the specific board's own rules — something we confirm early rather than assume. We flag this alongside the RECO and franchisor approvals so it doesn't become a late surprise.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by RE/MAX or its franchisor.
Tell us about your RE/MAX resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.