A listing agreement is a contract between you and your real estate company that says a realtor can represent you and market your property to potential buyers and their agents and establishes the sales price for your home. It will also lay out the type of professional representation and services your realtor will provide and what they will be paid for those services. Agent compensation is fully negotiable and not set by law.

There are several different types of listing agreements but the most common is the Exclusive Agency Listing Agreement.  

Exclusive Agency Listing Agreement. You work with just one agent and agree to compensate them if they sell your home. This allows you to retain the option to sell your home yourself without having to compensate your agent for the sale.

The listing agreement typically lays out the agreed upon methods your agent will use to sell your home. Your agreement might include information on how your property will be marketed. This could include listing on an MLS, internet ads, social media exposure and offering a seller concession covering some costs associated with purchasing a home for the buyer, or offering compensation to a buyer’s agent. 

Length of Time.  The start and end date of a listing agreement is completely negotiable but typially they go form 3 months to a year.

Curious what a sample lising agreement looks like? CLICK HERE!