Frequently Asked Questions

What is Builders Update?
1. Designed by real estate agents for agents, Builders Update is the #1 online source for new home inventory. We use the latest map-based search technology to bring the most comprehensive and accurate listings of new homes, to-be-built homes and condos directly to real estate agents and homebuyers.
How is Builders Update different?
1. First, while anyone can search on Builders Update, the most complete data is available only to licensed real estate agents. Second, we are exclusively focused on new homes, to-be-built homes and condos. Since we're Web-based, our data can be accessed and updated 24/7 from just about anywhere at any time (unlike print media). The data is consistently updated for accuracy in real time. Our mapping features allow agents to search the same way a homebuyer does, making the agent's job faster. Our patented system and online collaboration tools feature an industry-first Buyer Registration process that brings new levels of transparency and accountability to the agent-builder relationship. Basically, we have all of the data and functionality an agent needs to facilitate selling new homes.
Is Builders Update a substitute for a listing in a Multiple Listing Service?
1. Absolutely not. A Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is associated with local agents in the market area who provide a higher level of service usually associated with a particular agent working through a brokerage firm. That agent is providing key marketing services to help meet a builder's specific needs per an extensive marketing plan. The local MLS, paired with a top agent, is the most powerful tool individual builders can avail themselves of. Builders Update is the best way to augment an individual agent's marketing plan, provided their builder adds their inventory data into the Builders Update system. In many cases, Builders Update has partnered with local MLSs to augment their existing inventory of new, and to-be- built, homes to make the data readily available to agents using 'single sign-on' capability.
How does Builders Update save time?
1. Agents and builder representatives now have a single site loaded with everything the agent needs to be able to sell a property. No more "phone tag" trying to get questions answered, or having to search ten different websites. All of the details can be acquired online in one spot: Floor plans, directions, contacts, prices, a map with directions, incentives-it's all here, available 24/7.
Can I view available to-be-builts as well as properties readily available (quick move-ins)?
1. Absolutely! A unique feature of Builders Update is the ability to view an accurate listing of quick move-in properties and properties that will soon be available for purchase in any given area?
What will it cost me to use Builders Update?
1. Absolutely nothing. Searches of the system are free to both homebuyers and all actively licensed real estate agents who have been registered as users. Builders may upload their data for free as well. This assures agents that we will have the most up-to-date and complete inventory for them to review, all in one place.
Will my email account be shared with others?
1. Absolutely not! We respect everyone's privacy and do not sell your data or personal information. Frankly, this is why we do this as a subscription model, so we can control the system and not be influenced by anything other than building a very efficient system.
How is accuracy assured?
1. Our data is only as good as the data provided to us by the builders in a timely fashion. Our patented system actually time/date stamps every property detail and community page so you can verify how fresh the data actually is. Typically, data is uploaded, re-verified, and updated if necessary every 24 hours.
How do I sort data on Builders Update?
1. After initiating a search, you can modify your search criteria to reduce the number of properties show to a manageable list of properties. Properties are presented in a list format that can be quickly sorted or grouped by categories. Search results are automatically sorted by price from high to low, and can be sorted by categories, such as builder or square footage. Prices sort in numerical order. Subdivisions group homes by subdivision in alphabetical order.
How do I reset and/or retrieve my password?
1. To reset your password, click "Forgot password" in the upper right hand corner of www.buildersupdate.com
2. To retrieve your password, go to www.buildersupdate.com/recover and enter your email id.
3. A link will be sent to your email address. Check your spam if you do not find the email in your inbox.
4. Click on the link and reset your password
Is Builders Update new construction only?
1. Yes, Builders Update lists ONLY newly constructed homes. We DO NOT list Renovated homes and preexisting homes and old homes.
How do I download a W-9?
1. Click on https://www.buildersupdate.com/documents/BuildersUpdateW-9.pdf to download our W-9.
Will my email account be shared with others?
1. Absolutely not! We respect everyone's privacy and do not sell your data or personal information. Frankly, this is why we do this as a subscription model, so we can control the system and not be influenced by anything other than building a very efficient system.
How is accuracy assured?
1. Our data is only as good as the data provided to us by the builders. Our patented system time/date stamps every detail page so agents (and the builders that supply the data) can verify how fresh the data actually is. Typically, data is uploaded, re-verified, and updated if necessary every 24 hours.
Can I use the search tool to identify homes I am interested in even though I am not an agent?
1. Yes! You can search all available properties and to-be-builts. When you find a property you like, just email your agent right from the property detail page.
What will it cost me to use Builders Update?
1. Nothing. Searches of the system are completely free!
Is there a mobile app?
1. No, there is no Builders Update mobile app. However our website is mobile responsive. So you can access our website on any mobile.
Does Builders Update integrate with CRM's?
1. No, Builders Update does not integrate directly with any CRMs. However, you can export buyers from your account into CSV and import into your CRM.
Is Builders Update available in languages other than English?
1. Yes, Builders Update is available in English and Spanish with more languages to come in the future.
Our contact information?
1. Phone Number (512) 901-9899
2. Working Hours 8 AM to 5 PM CST Monday through Friday
3. Email address for agent support - agentsupport@buildersupdate.com
4. Email address for builder support - buildersupport@buildersupdate.com
5. You can also reach us at https://www.buildersupdate.com/ContactUs
How do I send you comments and feedback?
1. Please email us at agentsupport@buildersupdate.com or https://www.buildersupdate.com/ContactUs. We'd love to hear from you.
I do not seem to receive emails from Builders Update?
1. This could happen because the emails may end up in your spam.
2. Check your spam folder
3. Whitelist all the email addresses that end in buildersupdate.com

Builders Update Frequently Asked questions for Agents, REALTORS® and brokers

How do I sign up or register or create my Builders Update account as an agent or REALTOR® or broker?
1. As a licensed real estate agent, REALTOR® or broker in the United States,Your account can be created one of two ways:
What is the New Home Spotlight™?
1. The New Home Spotlight™ is a great free tool to show your buyers that you're a new home expert. It creates a personalized version of the Builders Update search tool for buyer prospects that brands the home to you, including your logo, picture and contact information. When a homebuyer uses your New Home Spotlight™ search tool on your site, all property addresses and builder brands are hidden in the search results. You, and only you, are listed as the point of contact for all listings, driving more leads directly to you. Because this is a url/link, you can use it on your website in various locations, on your email signature, on social media portals, and more.
How do I create My New Home Spotlight™?
1. Once you log in as a registered agent, go to My Tools>My New Home Spotlight™. Then, it's three simple steps:
  1. Select some short text that will be placed in front of .buildersupdate.com so that we can create a personalized URL for your use.
  2. Upload your logo.
  3. Upload your headshot. Finally, click the "Complete My New Home Spotlight™" button and your New Home Spotlight™ tool is set up within minutes, ready to be inserted into your private website.
Can my clients use the search tool to identify homes they are interested in?
1. Yes! Invite Homebuyers to your New Home Spotlight™ on your private site to increase the visibility of your brand and give yourself capabilities you never had before to monitor their activity. We'll email your client a unique login and password with an invitation to search for new homes using your New Home Spotlight™ search tool. When they find a home they like, they will be able to email you the homes they wish to see. Also, as their agent, you can monitor their search activity and narrow down the home search criteria to what they really want (which may differ from what they may have told you they want!).
What is My 24 Hour Concierge?
1. 24 Hour concierge is a search assistant
2. Use My 24 Hour Concierge to make sure you never miss new inventory! My 24 Hour Concierge will automatically conduct searches for you and notify you the moment Builders Update finds inventory that matches your criteria. You can create up to fifteen 24 Hour Concierges.
How do I use My 24 Hour Concierge?
1. For each 24 Hour Concierge, specify your search criteria, such as the geographic search area, subdivision, school districts, builder brand, property type, price range, square footage, etc. Then, select how often you want your 24 Hour Concierge to email you when properties that match your criteria come online. You can view search results and review or change your 24 Hour Concierges' search criteria any time from the Manage 24 Hour Concierges page.
What is Buyer Registration?
1. Builders Update developed Buyer Registration to protect your claim to a commission by bringing more transparency to the agent-builder-buyer relationship. It's a new tool that allows you to notify a builder in advance that you have identified a buyer interested in one or more of their properties. If your buyer should decide to visit the builder before you're able to physically bring them to the home, then the builder knows in advance that you found the property first. When used properly, Buyer Registration can defuse nasty problems for both the agent and builder.
How do I use Buyer Registration?
1. Upon submitting a Buyer Registration request, your buyer will be emailed and MUST ACCEPT the registration before the request will be sent to the Builder.
2. Your protection period begins from the date the Builder approves the request. This provides you with a time/date stamped approval and protects you if the Buyer visits the Builder without you for that period.
3. You will need to bring your buyer to the Builder to fully register before your protection period runs out.
4. Protection periods and full registration processes vary by Builder.
5. Buyer Registration is for the Metro area, not by property. You only need to register your buyer with the Builder once per Metro.
6. Only the name of the Buyer is sent to the Builder, no contact information is provided.
7. If the Builder decides to decline the request, you will be notified via email with a reason why the request was declined.
8. Agents can check the status of Buyer Registrations by logging in an viewing the report in My Tools > Manage Homebuyers > Manage.
Will my Builders Update account expire at some point?
1. No. As long as you are:
  1. registered as an agent with an active real estate license, or
  2. registered as a builder or builder's representative with active inventory in the system, you can access the system.
What if my agent license is inactive or suspended?
1. We continuously validate agent licenses on a daily basis. If your license becomes inactive, expired, or suspended, you cannot access the system until you update us with a current license number. Under extenuating circumstances-for example, you submitted your statewide education requirements late- contact Builders Update so that we may override your requirement and give you time to re-activate your license. Our goal is to protect the integrity of the system as a tool for actively licensed agents only.
I am licensed in several states. May I use a single account?
1. Absolutely, we just require you to be licensed in one, so you can use one for your registration and access whatever geographic area you desire from our site since we are map- based.
Can my clients view the homes I've found?
1. Once you've created a list of properties, you can email your client a special link to the property detail pages allowing them to view the images, floor plans and mapping from your search.
Can I email data to my clients?
1. Yes! The system allows you to send your clients a link so they can access specific property data and images. You can send data to two addresses at a time, and also pre-register your buyer with the builder at the same time.
How do I bring a builder to Builders Update?
1. Builders Update will pay the referring party a commission of 10% if they bring a builder to Builders Update and they join as a Premier member. Builders must meet the following criteria:
  1. Builder must have not previously been on Builders Update
  2. Referral must be for a specific point of contact, not generic company info
  3. Builder must pay agent commissions
Can I create my own site through Builders Update?
1. No, you can't technically create your own site through Builders Update. The New Home Spotlight widget is intended to be embedded onto your site so that you can generate leads for new home construction directly through your website.
16) Can I subscribe to multiple metro newsletters?
1. Yes, you can subscribe to as many metro newsletters as you wish. If you want to subscribe to a specific metro newsletter, you can do so by going to your Builders Update profile and clicking "My Tools" > "Email Options" and then entering the metros for which you want to receive a newsletter. (Make sure the "opt in" box is checked also). Keep in mind that we do not have newsletters in every metro, but the number of metros is growing every month. You can view active metros newsletters here.
What is my username and password if my account was created through an MLS?
1. If your account was created through an MLS, your username will be the email that is affiliated with your MLS account. Your password will be the same password that you use for your MLS dashboard login.
How do I resize my profile picture and/or logo picture?
1. Follow the guidelines in your profile. If you're unable to do so, you can send the picture and logo that you want resized to agentsupport@buildersupdate.com and we will make the adjustments for you.
What are the first steps after my account has been created?
1. After creating your free account, you need to register for Agent Training Webinar which goes through the entire site and how it will help you sell more new construction homes. After completing the webinar, you will receive your New Home Construction Specialist Certificate within 5-10 business days.
2. The next step is to ensure that your logo and profile picture are uploaded.
3. Set up your New Home Spotlight widget
4. Add your buyers to your account (if applicable)
How does Builders Update generate leads for me?
1. First, buyers occasionally come to our site in search of new construction. When they click on a listing, they'll become a lead within the metro they're searching. That lead then goes to a queue of agents to be accepted. Agents have 96 hours to accept the lead. If the agent doesn't accept the lead within 96 hours, that lead goes to the next agent in the queue. The agent queue to receive leads is based on the last agent that was logged into the site. The more you use the site, the higher up in the queue you will be to receive those buyer leads.
Can I post properties on Social Media?
1. Yes. Each property has an icon that you can click which allows you to post that property directly to your social media. Facebook, LInkedIn and Twitter are all supported. Alternatively, you can use the URL that is generated on your New Home Spotlight to post on social media so that buyers can search for properties in their area directly through your New Home Spotlight URL. The Widget portion of the New Home Spotlight tool is not supported on social media.
Can I show my available to-be-builts as well as properties readily available (quick move-ins)?
1. Absolutely! A unique feature of Builders Update is the ability to view an accurate listing of either quick move-in properties or properties that will soon be available for purchase in any given area.
Can an agent allow their clients to use the search tool to identify homes they are interested in?
1. Yes! Agents use the "Invite Homebuyer" functionality to invite buyers to use their New Home Spotlight™ tool on their private website. When they find a home they like, they will email the agent the homes they wish to see. Also, agents are able to monitor their search activity and narrow down the home search criteria they really want (vs. what they may have told them that they want), saving both you and the agent a great deal of time.
Is there a usage limit?
1. No. You have unlimited access.
How do agents inform their clients about the homes that they have found?
1. Once they've created a list of properties of interest, agents email their clients a special link to the property detail pages allowing the buyer to view the images, floor plans and mapping from their searches.
Can agents email data to their clients?
1. Yes! The system allows agents to send clients a link so that they can access specific property data and images. They can send data to multiple addresses at a single time, and also pre-register their buyers with the builder at the same time.
Can Builders Update provide a feed of listings/data to my website?
1. We do not provide custom feeds to your personal websites. Our New Home Spotlight tool serves this purpose as it gives prospects a direct portal to current data and it refers these people back to you directly.

Builders Update Frequently Asked questions for new home builders, custom home builders and developers

How do I sign up or register or create my Builders Update account as a home builder or developer?
1. As a home builder or developer, you can sign up, register or create your account by visiting https://www.buildersupdate.com/BuilderPortal or by clicking on Learn More for Builders on our home page www.buildersupdate.com
Does Builders Update also work with Developers?
1. Yes, Builders Update has product solutions for developers. For more information on this, please contact us directly at 512-901-9899 and select the builder selection from the menu.
What will it cost me as a Builder to use Builders Update?
1. Absolutely nothing... unless you wish to access our premium features and spotlight your homes above your competition. We offer builders the ability to upload their data completely free. There is a fee for use of our enhanced tools and reporting functions.
How much does it cost to display my properties on Builders Update and on thousands of associated private agent websites?
1. We customize each builder's payment plan according to factors such as the number of subdivision claims, your business needs and other factors. Best to contact Builders Update directly at (512) 901-9899 for an exact quote.
Why is an agent lead more valuable to me as a builder?
1. If an agent is viewing your properties on Builders Update, it's because they have an active buyer. Our ratio of leads to contracts is close to 20%, far exceeding the 1% conversion rate offered by traditional online direct-to-consumer advertising strategies.
Will my Builders Update account expire at some point?
1. No. As long as you are registered as a builder or builder's representative with active inventory in the system, you can access the system.
What is My Incentives? How does it benefit me as the builder?
1. My Incentives is a tool that automatically emails an agent any builder incentives that match the criteria and frequency they choose (daily, weekly, or monthly) and stores them so that when they log in, the incentives are readily available for their review. Builder incentives are organized by metro area. It's important to upload all your incentives so that agents have access to them when they have a buyer in their car, as that's typically when they will be looking for them.
How do I use the "My Incentives" functionality?
1. Incentives are organized by metro area, so start by selecting the metro area (s) where you have incentives to place. You can further sort a metro to the subdivision level. Then, simply upload your incentives as PDF documents. Agents will be able to browse through the incentives to preview them, print them, or email them directly to a homebuyer. Builders Update can also notify agents the moment that you add new incentives.
How do I benefit from Buyer Registration?
1. Use Buyer Registration to avoid the difficulties of determining if an agent actually has earned their commission. Before bringing a buyer to see your property, the agent will send you and the buyer a time/date stamped email with the buyer's name. This is the Buyer Registration request. Once received, you can either accept or deny the request. If you accept, you set the number of days the agent has to bring in their buyer to your office for a full registration, or else they forfeit their commission. If you deny it, you indicate a reason why (for example, you may already be working with that particular buyer). Every time an agent emails a property detail sheet to a homebuyer, they can pre-register that buyer with the builder. This greatly motivates an agent to show your properties to prospective buyers if they know their efforts are protected. Buyer Registration notification emails are always date/stamped and sent to the agent, the homebuyer and the builder so that everyone is in the loop about the process.
How do I upload my data?
1. To begin uploading your data, you must first have a builder account. Review question 1 to learn how to create your builder account. After creating your account, you can add your data by doing one of the following upload methods:
  1. Share your XML file with Builders Update via FTP. (Contact us for credentials)
    1. If you don't have an XML file, we can create one for you for a small monthly fee.
  2. Upload your data manually via our data upload form. Download form
  3. Have Builders Update manually upload my data (Premier Builders ONLY)
2. If you're still unsure of how to upload your data, please email gouri@buildersupdate.com and we'll walk you through the process in more detail.
Is Builders Update a national or regional service?
1. Builders Update is a nationwide service providing data everywhere in the United States.
How is Builders Update different than a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
1. Multiple Listing Services can be great tools for local regional, but the data is limited to just that state or region. Builders Update is similar to an MLS, but is not limited geographically. Real Estate Agents can search for properties anywhere in the United States without limitation. With a standard Multiple Listing Service, this would not be possible.
How do I get leads from Builders Update?
1. Builders Update shows you when an agent interacts with your listing. The Builders Update system generates a report of leads and emails them to you at the frequency that you would like. You can set them to be sent to you in real time or as a daily report at the end of the day. As a Premier builder you can see all of the lead's relevant contact info. You can even email the lead directly through your Builders Update dashboard.
What type of metrics, statistics and analytics can I see?
1. Builders Update gives you access to a wealth of reporting and analytics tools, both Micro and Macro, which allows you to measure your success. You can see reports as broad as your entire nationwide inventory database or as concentrated as a single listing. Specifically, you can view:
  1. Community Activity Reports which allow you to see how agents are interacting with your listings
  2. Agent and Office Reports which allow you to see which agents and offices have interacted with your listings.
  3. Buyer Registration Reports which allows you to see which buyers are being registered with your communities.
  4. Analytics on a macro level to see how your overall marketing is performing
How else can I advertise on Builders Update?
1. Builders Update sends out a newsletter to over 1 million opted in agents, highlighting individual properties. You can purchase slots for that newsletter in the metro for choice.