Which type of listing agreement provides the most protection to the real estate agent?

The exclusive right-to-sell listing agreement provides the most protection to the real estate agent because it guarantees that the agent will receive a commission regardless of who sells the property. In this type of agreement, the seller agrees to work exclusively with the designated agent during the listing period. This means that even if the seller finds a buyer on their own or if another agent brings a buyer, the original agent is still entitled to their commission. This level of assurance incentivizes agents to invest time and resources into marketing the property effectively, knowing they will be compensated for their efforts.

In contrast, open listing agreements do not offer any exclusivity, allowing multiple agents to list the same property without a guarantee of compensation for any one agent. Exclusive agency listing agreements provide some level of protection but still allow the seller to sell the property themselves without paying any commission to the agent. Net listing agreements can lead to various complications regarding commission calculations and can be less favorable for the agent, as they can potentially limit the earnings compared to a standard commission rate structure.