Charlotte Builder Registration Policies: How Registration Works, Builder by Builder

Why builder registration matters

The sales team in a model home works for the builder. If you want your own advocate on price, upgrades, inspections, and the contract, the builder usually has to know about that agent at the very start.

Many builders tie broker cooperation to first contact. Shea Homes, for example, says: "If your client has previously visited a community without you present, no compensation will be paid." (Shea Homes Broker Resources) Toll Brothers says a prior registration by its own sales representative "will void the possibility of a real estate agent earning a commission on the sale." (Toll Brothers Agent Center)

In practice, a walk-in, a "schedule a tour" click, or a website form can count as first contact. Once that happens, adding representation later may not be possible at that community.

Charlotte builder registration comparison table

Any builder not listed: confirm with the sales office before you visit, call, or submit a form.

How to read the table

• When to register is the trigger the builder publishes. Earlier is always safer than later.
• Agent must accompany first visit shows whether the builder states, in its own words, that your agent must be there in person. "Confirm with sales office" means the builder's public page does not say.
• Registration validity is how long the registration protects your representation. When a window expires, the builder may treat you as unrepresented unless your agent re-registers in time.
• Broker cooperation notes cover whether and how the builder works with buyer agents. Cooperation can vary by community, and builders reserve the right to change it.
• Every cell comes from the builder's public page as of November 1, 2026. We do not fill gaps with assumptions.

Builder-by-builder notes

Shea Homes

Shea's guidelines are among the clearest. Your agent "must physically accompany your client at their first visit to each of our communities and you must have a current signed agreement with your client." Registration "is valid for 90 days," and "No compensation will be paid on an expired Broker Registration Agreement." Shea lists Charlotte Area communities in both North Carolina and South Carolina. (Shea Homes Broker Resources)

Toll Brothers

Toll requires electronic registration at the first visit to each specific community. "Your client's registration is protected for 90 days," and it can be extended "by re-registering the customer prior to the expiration date." Registration is per community, so a visit to one Toll community does not cover another. (Toll Brothers Agent Center)

Forma Home Builders

Forma, based in Charlotte, says agents should "register their client with our sales team at the first point of contact or prior to the initial visit." Forma does not publish a validity window or a first-visit attendance rule on its agent page, so ask before you tour. (Forma Home Builders Agents)

Meritage Homes

Meritage's public page takes a different approach. It describes paying a buyer's agent commission for represented buyers "even if you weren't there on the first visit" (Meritage Homes, Buy With Confidence), with a Broker Registration and Commission Addendum due "within 24 hours after the buyer executes the applicable contract." Registering early is still the safer move. (Meritage Homes Agents)

Taylor Morrison

Taylor Morrison's agent page warns that its online form does not satisfy its Real Estate Broker Referral Agreement and does not register a buyer. Ask the sales office what the agreement requires and when, before your first visit. (Taylor Morrison Agents)

What to do before you tour

1. Sign your buyer agency agreement first. Shea, for one, requires the agent to have a current signed agreement with the client.
2. Do not fill out builder forms on your own. That includes interest lists, chat, tour scheduling, and open house sign-ins.
3. Tell your agent every community you are considering. Registration is often per community, not per builder.
4. Bring your agent to the first visit unless the builder confirms in writing that pre-registration is enough.
5. Track registration dates. Shea and Toll both use 90 day windows. Re-register before expiration if you need more time.
6. Ask the sales office directly about any rule this table marks "Confirm with sales office."

How Citadel Cofield helps

Citadel Cofield registers you before you tour, checks each builder's current written policy, and tracks registration windows so representation does not lapse. We compare communities side by side on our builder comparison page and walk through strategy on our new construction page.

On some new construction purchases, a buyer may receive a credit on the closing statement. Any such credit is not a rebate and is not guaranteed. It is paid only from compensation Citadel Cofield actually receives, is subject to lender approval, and follows the minimum service fee set in your written buyer agency agreement. Fees are negotiable.

Talk to us before your first builder visit. Call (980) 272-8547 or book a new construction consult.

Sources

Accessed November 1, 2026

• Shea Homes, Broker Resources & Guidelines: sheahomes.com/broker-resources
• Toll Brothers, Real Estate Agent Center FAQ: tollbrothers.com/agent
• Forma Home Builders, For Real Estate Agents: formahomebuilder.com/agents
• Meritage Homes, Agents: meritagehomes.com/agents
• Meritage Homes, Buy With Confidence: meritagehomes.com/agents/buy-with-confidence
• Taylor Morrison, Agent Registration: taylormorrison.com/agents