One Charlotte Realty, Inc.

1. Introduction

This Policies & Procedures Manual establishes the operating standards, brokerage requirements, legal compliance obligations, and professional expectations for all affiliated brokers, provisional brokers, broker associates, assistants, independent contractors, and affiliated personnel of One Charlotte Realty, Inc.

Compliance with this Manual is a mandatory condition of affiliation with the Brokerage.

2. Brokerage Philosophy

One Charlotte Realty operates under a modern real estate brokerage model focused on agent independence, professional accountability, legal compliance, ethical conduct, strong broker supervision, and consumer-focused real estate services.

• 100% commission model for agent-generated business
• 50% commission split to the agent on company-provided leads
• Seller-focused low listing commission model
• Professional standards
• Strong legal compliance
• Brokerage accountability

3. Independent Contractor Relationship

All affiliated brokers are independent contractors unless otherwise stated in writing. Nothing in this Manual creates an employment relationship, salary obligation, benefits, workers compensation, payroll withholding obligation, partnership, or joint venture.

Agents are responsible for their own taxes, licensing fees, dues, continuing education, business expenses, marketing expenses, automobile expenses, equipment, and professional costs.

4. Licensing Requirements

All affiliated brokers must maintain an active North Carolina real estate license in good standing and comply with all North Carolina Real Estate Commission requirements.

Agents must immediately notify the Broker-in-Charge of any complaint, investigation, disciplinary action, lawsuit, criminal charge, or regulatory issue involving real estate activity.

5. Broker-in-Charge Authority

The Broker-in-Charge has final authority over compliance decisions, risk management, transaction review, listing approval, advertising approval, escrow procedures, disciplinary action, policy interpretation, and policy enforcement.

All affiliated personnel must comply immediately with Broker-in-Charge directives.

6. Office Policies

Office Mailing Address:
One Charlotte Realty, Inc.
1213 W Morehead St, 5th Floor
Charlotte, NC 28208

Telephone: 704-670-0000

Office Hours:
7 Days Per Week
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Agents must maintain professionalism in appearance, communication, office conduct, transaction management, and representation of the Brokerage.

7. Commission Structure

The standard brokerage model provides 100% commission to agents on agent-generated business. The Brokerage charges only a $495 transaction fee per closed transaction and any delinquent Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance premiums owed by the agent, which shall be deducted from the agent’s commission at closing if unpaid.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, company-provided leads shall be paid on a 50% commission split to the agent and a 50% commission split to the Brokerage, after deduction of the $495 transaction fee, any applicable referral fees, any delinquent E&O insurance premiums, third-party fees, and any other written obligations.

Commission is paid only after closing has occurred, the Brokerage has received funds, the compliance file is complete, and all required fees, transaction fees, referral fees, and any delinquent E&O insurance obligations have been satisfied.

8. Transaction Fees

Each closed transaction requires payment of the applicable transaction fee, E&O contribution, and any outstanding brokerage obligations.

Failure to satisfy required fees may result in commission withholding where permitted by law and Brokerage policy.

9. Errors & Omissions Insurance

Participation in Brokerage E&O insurance coverage is mandatory unless otherwise approved in writing.

Agents must immediately report potential claims, disputes, complaints, demand letters, threats of litigation, or circumstances that could create liability.

Failure to timely report a potential claim may create personal responsibility for uncovered losses.

10. Listings Policy

All listings must use approved listing agreements, include required disclosures, comply with MLS rules, comply with state and federal law, and be approved by the Brokerage where required.

No listing may be marketed without a fully executed listing agreement and all required documentation.

11. Buyer Representation Policy

Buyer representation requires proper agency disclosure, signed agency documentation where required, compensation disclosure, and full fiduciary duty compliance.

Agents must clearly explain agency relationships, compensation arrangements, and representation duties to clients and customers.

12. Advertising & Marketing Policy

All advertising must comply with North Carolina Real Estate Commission rules, Fair Housing laws, MLS rules, federal advertising regulations, and Brokerage branding standards.

Advertising may not be false, misleading, deceptive, unauthorized, discriminatory, or improperly licensed.

13. Website, Social Media & Internet Policy

Agents may not create websites, landing pages, social media pages, paid advertising campaigns, online profiles, or online marketing using Brokerage branding without prior approval.

All online advertising must properly identify the Brokerage where required and comply with all legal, ethical, MLS, and Brokerage standards.

14. Company-Provided Leads Policy

Company-provided leads are leads generated, purchased, captured, referred, assigned, or distributed by One Charlotte Realty, Inc. through Brokerage websites, advertising, online platforms, phone calls, walk-ins, referral relationships, social media, Google Business Profile, sign calls, internet lead providers, or any other Brokerage source.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, any transaction resulting from a company-provided lead shall be paid on a 50% commission split to the agent and 50% commission split to the Brokerage, after deduction of any applicable referral fees, transaction fees, E&O charges, third-party fees, or other written obligations.

The Brokerage has sole discretion to determine whether a client, customer, inquiry, referral, prospect, or transaction originated from a company-provided lead.

Failure to properly manage company-provided leads may result in reassignment, loss of lead privileges, commission adjustment, disciplinary action, or termination.

15. Lead Distribution Policy

Brokerage-generated leads remain the property of the Brokerage unless otherwise agreed in writing. Lead assignment does not create ownership rights in favor of the agent.

The Brokerage may assign, reassign, withdraw, or redistribute leads at its sole discretion.

16. NC Real Estate Commission Compliance

All agents must comply fully with North Carolina Real Estate Commission rules, North Carolina license law, federal law, local law, MLS requirements, association rules, and Broker-in-Charge directives.

Violations may result in internal discipline, financial liability, immediate termination, and reporting to appropriate authorities where required or appropriate.

17. Trust Money & Escrow Handling

Agents may never personally hold escrow funds unless legally permitted and specifically authorized by the Broker-in-Charge.

Earnest money, due diligence fees, deposits, and trust funds must be handled strictly according to North Carolina law, contract requirements, NCREC rules, and Brokerage procedures.

18. Agency Disclosure Requirements

Agency disclosure must be timely, accurate, documented, and compliant with North Carolina requirements.

Failure to provide required agency disclosure is a serious compliance violation and may result in disciplinary action.

19. Contracts & Forms

Only approved North Carolina real estate forms may be used. Unauthorized drafting of legal documents is prohibited.

All contracts, addenda, disclosures, and transaction documents must comply with Brokerage review procedures.

20. Fair Housing Policy

Strict compliance with federal, state, and local Fair Housing laws is mandatory.

Discrimination, steering, blockbusting, discriminatory advertising, unequal treatment, or any conduct that violates Fair Housing laws is prohibited.

The Brokerage maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination.

21. Anti-Discrimination Policy

Discriminatory conduct by any affiliated person, agent, assistant, contractor, vendor, or staff member is grounds for immediate disciplinary action or termination.

22. Confidentiality Policy

Client information must remain confidential during and after representation. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential client, transaction, financial, personal, or business information is prohibited.

23. Professional Conduct Standards

Agents must maintain honesty, integrity, respectful communication, timely responses, professional conduct, legal compliance, and ethical behavior in all real estate activities.

24. Ethics & REALTOR® Standards

Where applicable, agents must comply with REALTOR® ethical standards, MLS rules, association rules, and all professional conduct requirements.

25. Cooperation With Other Brokers

Professional cooperation with other brokers is required while protecting the best interests of the client and complying with all legal, ethical, contractual, and Brokerage obligations.

26. Showing Property Policy

Agents must verify showing authorization, follow showing instructions, protect property security, respect occupants, and secure all doors, windows, gates, garages, alarms, and lockboxes after showings.

27. Open House Policy

Open houses require seller authorization, professional supervision, safety awareness, compliance with Fair Housing laws, and Brokerage approval where required.

Agents must follow all property security and visitor safety procedures.

28. Safety & Security Policy

Agents must prioritize personal safety, client safety, property security, and professional judgment.

Business opportunities must never override safety concerns.

29. Record Retention Policy

Transaction records, communications, contracts, disclosures, advertising materials, and supporting documents must be maintained in compliance with North Carolina law, NCREC requirements, MLS rules, and Brokerage requirements.

30. Technology & Data Security Policy

Agents must protect client data, passwords, transaction files, email accounts, digital signatures, confidential documents, Brokerage systems, and all digital records from unauthorized access or disclosure.

31. Confidential Information Protection

Sensitive transaction information must be securely stored, transmitted, and protected at all times.

Agents may not share confidential files, login credentials, client information, transaction data, or Brokerage information without authorization.

32. Copyright, Intellectual Property & Media Usage Policy

Agents may not use third-party photos, MLS photos, builder renderings, developer photography, drone photography, videos, floorplans, virtual staging, social media reposts, website content, listing descriptions, logos, graphics, or marketing materials owned by others without written authorization.

“Found online” does not constitute permission.

Only properly licensed, owned, or authorized media may be used. Agents are personally responsible for verifying usage rights before publishing or submitting any content.

33. Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy

The Brokerage complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 512.

If a copyright owner claims that intellectual property has been used improperly, the Brokerage may immediately remove content, suspend marketing, disable access, investigate the violation, and require agent reimbursement.

Agents may not upload, publish, distribute, advertise, submit, or share content they do not legally own or have written permission to use.

34. Mandatory Agent Indemnification

Each affiliated agent agrees to fully indemnify, defend, and hold harmless One Charlotte Realty, Inc., its Broker-in-Charge, owners, officers, staff, managers, representatives, and affiliates from any and all claims, damages, losses, lawsuits, attorney fees, settlements, judgments, fines, MLS penalties, regulatory complaints, or legal expenses arising from the agent’s conduct.

This includes, but is not limited to, copyright infringement, unauthorized photo usage, advertising violations, Fair Housing violations, MLS violations, misrepresentation, contract disputes caused by the agent, client complaints caused by the agent, and compliance violations caused by the agent.

35. Broker Approval for Third-Party Media

Prior written Broker approval is required before using builder renderings, developer photos, third-party professional photography, drone footage, virtual staging, social media reposts, promotional videos, AI-generated marketing materials, or marketing created by outside sources.

Broker approval does not relieve the agent from responsibility for confirming that all content is legally authorized for use.

36. Immediate Removal, Discipline & Enforcement

The Brokerage may immediately remove any unauthorized content from MLS, Brokerage websites, social media, advertising platforms, print materials, email campaigns, and marketing materials.

Violations may result in withheld commissions where permitted by law, mandatory reimbursement, internal fines where permitted, suspension, termination of affiliation, reporting to licensing authorities, or legal action for damages.

37. Independent Contractor Expenses

Agents are responsible for their own business expenses unless otherwise agreed in writing.

This includes advertising, marketing, signs, lockboxes, photography, transportation, licensing, continuing education, MLS dues, association dues, technology, supplies, and administrative costs.

38. Recruiting Policy

Agents may not recruit affiliated agents away from the Brokerage, interfere with Brokerage relationships, misuse Brokerage information for recruiting purposes, or solicit Brokerage agents for competing businesses while affiliated with the Brokerage.

39. Termination of Affiliation

The Brokerage may terminate affiliation at any time for compliance violations, legal risk, reputation risk, nonpayment of fees, failure to follow Broker directives, misconduct, misrepresentation, or conduct inconsistent with Brokerage standards.

Termination does not release the agent from confidentiality, indemnification, commission obligations, reimbursement obligations, or financial responsibilities that arose during affiliation.

40. Dispute Resolution Policy

Disputes must first be addressed internally with the Broker-in-Charge before outside escalation, unless otherwise required by law.

The Brokerage reserves all rights and remedies available under North Carolina law.

41. Broker Review & Compliance Audits

The Brokerage may audit files, advertising, communications, contracts, marketing materials, transaction records, lead activity, online content, and compliance documents at any time.

Agents must cooperate fully with all compliance reviews and audits.

42. Policy Changes & Broker Directives

This Manual may be updated, amended, revised, replaced, or supplemented at any time by the Brokerage.

Broker directives have immediate effect and are binding on all affiliated personnel. Continued affiliation constitutes acceptance of all updated policies, procedures, and Broker directives.