What is an "exclusive right-to-sell" listing?

An "exclusive right-to-sell" listing is a type of agreement between a property owner and a real estate broker that grants the broker the exclusive right to sell the property. This arrangement means that the broker is entitled to a commission regardless of who ultimately sells the property. Whether the sale is initiated by the broker or by the seller themselves, the broker will receive their agreed-upon commission. This incentivizes the broker to actively market and sell the property, knowing they will be compensated for their efforts regardless of how the sale comes about.

In other types of listings, such as an "open listing," the seller may hire multiple brokers or attempt to sell the property independently without guaranteeing any commission to a broker. The nature of the exclusive right-to-sell agreement provides security and motivation for the broker to fully commit to the marketing and sale of the property, helping both parties achieve their goal efficiently.