agency
exclusive right to sell
An exclusive right to sell listing is a listing agreement in which the seller appoints one broker and agrees to pay that broker a commission if the property sells during the listing term, no matter who finds the buyer, even the seller. It is the most common listing type and the most protective for the broker. It usually requires a definite expiration date.
- Exam tip
- Under exclusive right to sell, the broker is paid even if the owner finds the buyer. Under an exclusive agency listing, the owner who sells on their own owes nothing.
- Example
- During a 6-month exclusive right to sell listing, the seller's neighbor buys the house without the broker's help, and the broker still earns the commission.
Related terms & state variants
Sources
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Last verified: 2026-10-23