agency
exclusive agency listing
An exclusive agency listing gives one broker the exclusive right to market a property, but the owner keeps the right to sell it personally without paying that broker a commission. If any other broker produces the buyer, the listing broker is still paid. It falls between an exclusive right-to-sell listing, where the broker is paid no matter who sells, and an open listing.
- Exam tip
- Remember the difference: in an exclusive agency listing, the owner can sell it themselves and owe nothing; in an exclusive right-to-sell, the broker earns the commission even if the owner finds the buyer.
- Example
- A seller signs an exclusive agency listing with Broker A and then sells the home to a coworker without any broker's help. The seller owes Broker A no commission.
Related terms & state variants
Sources
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Last verified: 2026-10-23