<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                          FORM OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of
_____________, 2006 by and between E-House (China) Holdings Limited, a company
incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the "Company")
and Mr. [-], an individual (the "Executive"). The term "Company" as used herein
with respect to all obligations of the Executive hereunder shall be deemed to
include the Company and all of its direct or indirect parent companies,
subsidiaries, affiliates, or subsidiaries or affiliates of its parent companies
(collectively, the "Group").

                                    RECITALS

A. The Company desires to employ the Executive and to assure itself of the
services of the Executive during the term of Employment (as defined below).

B. The Executive desires to be employed by the Company during the term of
Employment and under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

      The parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    POSITION

      The Executive hereby accepts a position of [-] Officer (the "Employment")
      of the Company.

2.    TERM

      Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the initial term of
      the Employment shall be three years, commencing on ___________, 200__ (the
      "Effective Date"), until __________, 20__, unless terminated earlier
      pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Upon expiration of the initial
      three-year term, the Employment shall be automatically extended for
      successive one-year terms unless either party gives the other party hereto
      a prior written notice to terminate the Employment prior to the expiration
      of such one-year term or unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms
      of this Agreement.

3.    PROBATION

      Three months, commencing on the Effective Date.

4.    DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

      The Executive's duties at the Company will include all jobs assigned by
      the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board").

      The Executive shall devote all of his working time, attention and skills
      to the performance of his duties at the Company and shall faithfully and
      diligently serve the Company in accordance with this Agreement and the
      guidelines, policies and procedures of the Company approved from time to
      time by the Board.

<PAGE>

      The Executive shall use his best efforts to perform his duties hereunder.
      The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board,
      become an employee or consultant of any entity other than the Company
      and/or any member of the Group, and shall not carry on or be interested in
      the business or entity that competes with that carried on by the Group
      (any such business or entity, a "Competitor"), provided that nothing in
      this clause shall preclude the Executive from holding any shares or other
      securities of any Competitor that is listed on any securities exchange or
      recognized securities market anywhere. The Executive shall notify the
      Company in writing of his interest in such shares or securities in a
      timely manner and with such details and particulars as the Company may
      reasonably require.

5.    NO BREACH OF CONTRACT

      The Executive hereby represents to the Company that: (i) the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement by the Executive and the performance by the
      Executive of the Executive's duties hereunder shall not constitute a
      breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or
      policy to which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound, except for
      agreements that are required to be entered into by and between the
      Executive and any member of the Group pursuant to applicable law of the
      jurisdiction where the Executive is based, if any; (ii) that the Executive
      has no information (including, without limitation, confidential
      information and trade secrets) relating to any other person or entity
      which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive entering into this
      Agreement or carrying out his duties hereunder; (iii) that the Executive
      is not bound by any confidentiality, trade secret or similar agreement
      (other than this) with any other person or entity except for other
      member(s) of the Group, as the case may be.

6.    LOCATION

      The Executive will be based in Shanghai, China until both parties hereto
      agree to change otherwise.

7.    COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

      (a)   Cash Compensation. The Executive's cash compensation shall be
            provided by the Company pursuant to Schedule A hereto, subject to
            annual review and adjustment by the Board.

      (b)   Equity Incentives. When the Company adopts and maintains a share
            incentive plan (the "Plan"), the Executive will be entitled to
            receive options under the Plan pursuant to the following principal
            terms, subject to terms and conditions of the Plan:

            (1)   The Executive will receive an option to purchase [-] ordinary
                  shares of the Company (the "Option");

            (2)   The exercise price of the Option shall be at US$[-] per share;

            (3)   The Option will vest at the following schedule: one-third of
                  the Option will vest on each anniversary of the Effective
                  Date;

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            (4)   In the event of a change-of-control transaction of the
                  Company, as a result of which the shareholders of the Company
                  prior to such transaction do not retain, directly or
                  indirectly, at least a majority of the voting power of the
                  Company, all unvested Option shall accelerate upon
                  consummation of such transaction; and

            (5)   In the event the Employment is terminated for any reason, the
                  Executive may exercise the vested Option as of the date of
                  termination at any time within three months after the date of
                  termination.

      (c)   Housing Accommodation. The Company will arrange and pay for the
            Executive's housing accommodation in Shanghai, PRC.

      (d)   Benefits. The Executive is eligible for participation in any
            standard employee benefit plan of the Company, including any health
            insurance plan and annual holiday plan.

8.    TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT

      (a)   By the Company. The Company may terminate the Employment for cause,
            at any time, without advance notice or remuneration, if (1) the
            Executive is convicted or pleads guilty to a felony or to an act of
            fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, (2) the Executive has been
            negligent or acted dishonestly to the detriment of the Company, (3)
            the Executive has engaged in actions amounting to misconduct or
            failed to perform his duties hereunder and such failure continues
            after the Executive is afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure
            such failure, (4) the Executive has died, or (5) the Executive has a
            disability which shall mean a physical or mental impairment which,
            as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable
            to perform the essential functions of his employment with the
            Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an
            undue hardship on the Company, for more than 180 days in any
            12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable
            law, in which case that longer period would apply. In addition, the
            Company may terminate the Employment without cause, at any time,
            upon one-month prior written notice to the Executive during the
            first year after the Effective Date, two-month prior written notice
            to the Executive during the second year after the Effective Date, or
            three-month prior written notice to the Executive during any period
            after the second anniversary of the Effective Date.

      (b)   By the Executive. If there is a material and substantial reduction
            in the Executive's existing authority and responsibilities and such
            resignation is approved by the Board, the Executive may resign upon
            one-month prior written notice to the Company during the first year
            after the Effective Date, two-month prior written notice to the
            Company during the second year after the Effective Date, or
            three-month prior written notice to the Company during any period
            after the second anniversary of the Effective Date.

      (c)   Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive's employment
            under this Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of
            termination from the terminating party to the other party. The
            notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of
            this Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination.

      (d)   Remuneration upon Termination. Upon the Company's termination of the
            Employment without cause pursuant to subsection (a) above or the
            Executive's resignation upon the Board's approval pursuant to
            subsection (b) above, the Company will provide remuneration to the
            Executive as follows: (1) if such termination or resignation becomes

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            effective during the first year after the Effective Date, the
            Company will provide the Executive with a severance pay equal to one
            month base salary of the Executive; (2) if such termination or
            resignation becomes effective during the second year after the
            Effective Date, the Company will provide the Executive with a
            severance pay equal to two month base salary of the Executive; (3)
            if such termination or resignation becomes effective during any
            period after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, the
            Company will provide the Executive with a severance pay equal to
            three month base salary of the Executive; and (4) the Executive may
            exercise the vested Option as of the date of termination at any time
            within three months after the date of termination. Except for the
            foregoing, the Executive shall not be entitled to any severance
            payments or benefits upon the termination of the Employment for any
            reason.

9.    CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE

      (a)   Confidentiality and Non-disclosure. In the course of the Executive's
            services, the Executive may have access to the Company and/or the
            Company's client's and/or prospective client's trade secrets and
            confidential information, including but not limited to those
            embodied in memoranda, manuals, letters or other documents, computer
            disks, tapes or other information storage devices, hardware, or
            other media or vehicles, pertaining to the Company and/or the
            Company's client's and/or prospective client's business. All such
            trade secrets and confidential information are considered
            confidential. All materials containing any such trade secret and
            confidential information are the property of the Company and/or the
            Company's client and/or prospective client, and shall be returned to
            the Company and/or the Company's client and/or prospective client
            upon expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement. The
            Executive shall not directly or indirectly disclose or use any such
            trade secret or confidential information, except as required in the
            performance of the Executive's duties in connection with the
            Employment, or pursuant to applicable law.

      (b)   Trade Secrets. During and after the Employment, the Executive shall
            hold the Trade Secrets in strict confidence; the Executive shall not
            disclose these Trade Secrets to anyone except other employees of the
            Company who have a need to know the Trade Secrets in connection with
            the Company's business. The Executive shall not use the Trade
            Secrets other than for the benefits of the Company.

            "Trade Secrets" means information deemed confidential by the
            Company, treated by the Company or which the Executive know or ought
            reasonably to have known to be confidential, and trade secrets,
            including without limitation designs, processes, pricing policies,
            methods, inventions, conceptions, technology, technical data,
            financial information, corporate structure and know-how, relating to
            the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries,
            affiliates and business associates, whether embodied in memoranda,
            manuals, letters or other documents, computer disks, tapes or other
            information storage devices, hardware, or other media or vehicles.
            Trade Secrets do not include information generally known or released
            to public domain through no fault of the Executive.

      (c)   Former Employer Information. The Executive agrees that he has not
            and will not, during the term of his employment improperly use or
            disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former
            employer or other person or entity with which the Executive has an
            agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by Executive,
            if any. The Executive will indemnify the Company and hold it
            harmless from and against all claims,

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<PAGE>

            liabilities, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
            fees and costs of suit, arising out of or in connection with any
            violation of the foregoing.

      (d)   Third Party Information. The Executive recognizes that the Company
            may have received, and in the future may receive, from third parties
            their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on
            the Company's part to maintain the confidentiality of such
            information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. The
            Executive agrees that the Executive owes the Company and such third
            parties, during the Executive's employment by the Company and
            thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary
            information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to
            any person or firm and to use it in a manner consistent with, and
            for the limited purposes permitted by, the Company's agreement with
            such third party.

      This Section 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any
      reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 9, the Company
      shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.

10.   INVENTIONS

      (a)   Inventions Retained and Licensed. The Executive has attached hereto,
            as Schedule B, a list describing all inventions, ideas,
            improvements, designs and discoveries, whether or not patentable and
            whether or not reduced to practice, original works of authorship and
            trade secrets made or conceived by or belonging to the Executive
            (whether made solely by the Executive or jointly with others) that
            (i) were developed by Executive prior to the Executive's employment
            by the Company (collectively, "Prior Inventions"), (ii) relate to
            the Company' actual or proposed business, products or research and
            development, and (iii) are not assigned to the Company hereunder;
            or, if no such list is attached, the Executive represents that there
            are no such Prior Inventions. Except to the extent set forth in
            Schedule B, the Executive hereby acknowledges that, if in the course
            of his service for the Company, the Executive incorporates into a
            Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by the
            Executive or in which he has an interest, the Company is hereby
            granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable,
            perpetual, worldwide right and license (which may be freely
            transferred by the Company to any other person or entity) to make,
            have made, modify, use, sell, sublicense and otherwise distribute
            such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product,
            process or machine.

      (b)   Disclosure and Assignment of Inventions. The Executive understands
            that the Company engages in research and development and other
            activities in connection with its business and that, as an essential
            part of the Employment, the Executive is expected to make new
            contributions to and create inventions of value for the Company.

            From and after the Effective Date, the Executive shall disclose in
            confidence to the Company all inventions, improvements, designs,
            original works of authorship, formulas, processes, compositions of
            matter, computer software programs, databases, mask works and trade
            secrets (collectively, the "Inventions"), which the Executive may
            solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, or
            cause to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, during
            the period of the Executive's Employment at the Company. The
            Executive acknowledges that copyrightable works prepared by the
            Executive within the scope of and during the period of the
            Executive's Employment with the Company are "works for hire" and
            that the Company will be considered the author thereof. The

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<PAGE>

            Executive agrees that all the Inventions shall be the sole and
            exclusive property of the Company and the Executive hereby assign
            all his right, title and interest in and to any and all of the
            Inventions to the Company or its successor in interest without
            further consideration.

      (c)   Patent and Copyright Registration. The Executive agrees to assist
            the Company in every proper way to obtain for the Company and
            enforce patents, copyrights, mask work rights, trade secret rights,
            and other legal protection for the Inventions. The Executive will
            execute any documents that the Company may reasonably request for
            use in obtaining or enforcing such patents, copyrights, mask work
            rights, trade secrets and other legal protections. The Executive's
            obligations under this paragraph will continue beyond the
            termination of the Employment with the Company, provided that the
            Company will reasonably compensate the Executive after such
            termination for time or expenses actually spent by the Executive at
            the Company's request on such assistance. The Executive appoints the
            person designated by the Company as the Executive's attorney-in-fact
            to execute documents on the Executive's behalf for this purpose.

      (d)   Return of Confidential Materials. In the event of the Executive's
            termination of employment with the Company for any reason
            whatsoever, Executive agrees promptly to surrender and deliver to
            the Company all records, materials, equipment, drawings, documents
            and data of any nature pertaining to any confidential information or
            to his employment, and Executive will not retain or take with him or
            her any tangible materials or electronically stored data, containing
            or pertaining to any confidential information that Executive may
            produce, acquire or obtain access to during the course of his
            employment.

      This Section 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any
      reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 10, the Company
      shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.

11.   NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION

      In consideration of the base salary provided to the Executive by the
      Company hereunder, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged by the
      parties hereto, the Executive agree that during the term of the Employment
      and for a period of one year following the termination of the Employment
      for whatever reason:

      (a)   The Executive will not approach clients, customers or contacts of
            the Company or other persons or entities introduced to the Executive
            in the Executive's capacity as a representative of the Company for
            the purposes of doing business with such persons or entities which
            will harm the business relationship between the Company and such
            persons and/or entities;

      (b)   unless expressly consented to by the Company, the Executive will not
            assume employment with or provide services for any Competitor, or
            engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, in any
            Competitor; and

      (c)   unless expressly consented to by the Company, the Executive will not
            seek directly or indirectly, by the offer of alternative employment
            or other inducement whatsoever, to solicit the services of any
            employee of the Company employed as at or after the date of such
            termination, or in the year preceding such termination.

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<PAGE>

      The provisions contained in Section 11 are considered reasonable by the
      Executive and the Company. In the event that any such provisions should be
      found to be void under applicable laws but would be valid if some part
      thereof was deleted or the period or area of application reduced, such
      provisions shall apply with such modification as may be necessary to make
      them valid and effective.

      This Section 11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any
      reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 11, the Executive
      acknowledges that there will be no adequate remedy at law, and the Company
      shall be entitled to injunctive relief and/or a decree for specific
      performance, and such other relief as may be proper (including monetary
      damages if appropriate). In any event, the Company shall have right to
      seek all remedies permissible under applicable law.

12.   ASSIGNMENT

      This Agreement is personal in its nature and neither of the parties hereto
      shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement
      or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that (i) the
      Company may assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations
      hereunder to any member of the Group without such consent, and (ii) in the
      event of a change-of-control transaction of the Company, this Agreement
      shall, subject to the provisions hereof, be binding upon and inure to the
      benefit of such successor and such successor shall discharge and perform
      all the promises, covenants, duties, and obligations of the Company
      hereunder.

14.   SEVERABILITY

      If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof is held
      invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications
      of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid provisions
      or applications and to this end the provisions of this Agreement are
      declared to be severable.

15.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT

      This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between
      the Executive and the Company regarding the terms of the Employment and
      supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements
      concerning such subject matter. The Executive acknowledges that he has not
      entered into this Agreement in reliance upon any representation, warranty
      or undertaking which is not set forth in this Agreement.

16.   GOVERNING LAW

      This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
      law of the State of New York, U.S.A.

17.   AMENDMENT

      This Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in
      part), except by a formal, definitive written agreement expressly
      referring to this Agreement, which agreement is executed by both of the
      parties hereto.

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18.   WAIVER

      Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any
      right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a
      waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right,
      remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the
      same or of any right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of
      any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be
      construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with
      respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is
      in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such
      waiver.

19.   NOTICES

      All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or
      permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
      have been duly given and made if (i) delivered by hand, (ii) otherwise
      delivered against receipt therefor, or (iii) sent by a recognized courier
      with next-day or second-day delivery to the last known address of the
      other party.

20.   COUNTERPARTS

      This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
      which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature
      appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the
      same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more
      counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the
      signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.
      Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the
      originals for any purpose.

21.   NO INTERPRETATION AGAINST DRAFTER

      Each party recognizes that this Agreement is a legally binding contract
      and acknowledges that such party has had the opportunity to consult with
      legal counsel of choice. In any construction of the terms of this
      Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the
      basis of that party being the drafter of such terms.

22.   LANGUAGE

      This Agreement is prepared and executed in the English and Chinese
      languages. In the event of any discrepancy between the two versions, the
      Chinese language version shall prevail.

           [Remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]




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<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first
written above.

                                E-HOUSE (CHINA) HOLDINGS LIMITED

                                By: _____________________________________
                                Name: ZHOU Xin [CHINESE CHARACTERS]
                                Title: President [CHINESE CHARACTERS]

                                EXECUTIVE [CHINESE CHARACTERS]

                                Signature: ______________________________
                                Name: [-]

<PAGE>

                                   Schedule A

                                CASH COMPENSATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              AMOUNT                                          PAY PERIOD
                   ---------------------------------------------------------    ------------------------------------
<S>                <C>                                                          <C>
BASE SALARY        RMB [-] annually (including all statutory welfare            Payable in 12 equal monthly
                   reserves that the Company is required to set aside for       installments for each calendar year
                   the Executive under applicable law and all consideration
                   for the Executive's obligations under Section 11:
                   "Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation" of the Employment
                    Agreement)

CASH BONUS         [-].                                                         Once per year, if applicable
</TABLE>

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<PAGE>

                                   Schedule B

                            LIST OF PRIOR INVENTIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  IDENTIFYING NUMBER
       TITLE                DATE                 OR BRIEF DESCRIPTION
-------------------     -------------     ----------------------------------
<S>                     <C>               <C>
</TABLE>

______ No inventions or improvements

______ Additional Sheets Attached

Signature of Executive: ________________

Print Name of Executive: _______________

Date: ____________

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