Which listing type guarantees a broker a commission no matter who sells the property?

Which listing type guarantees a broker a commission no matter who sells the property?

• A. Exclusive-right-to-sell listing
• B. Exclusive-agency listing
• C. Net listing
• D. Open listing

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is how the contract defines who earns the broker’s commission. An exclusive-right-to-sell listing grants the broker the sole right to market the property and, crucially, guarantees the broker a commission if the property sells during the term no matter who finds the buyer. That means even if the seller brings the buyer themselves, the broker still gets paid because the contract promises the commission to the broker for any sale during the listing period. Other types don’t provide that guarantee. An exclusive-agency listing pays the broker only if the broker or another agent brings the buyer; if the seller finds the buyer alone, there’s no commission. Net listings tie the broker’s fee to the difference between the sale price and the seller’s net amount, not a guaranteed fee, and open listings spread the opportunity across multiple brokers with no single guaranteed payout unless a broker is the one who brings the actual buyer.

The key idea here is how the contract defines who earns the broker’s commission. An exclusive-right-to-sell listing grants the broker the sole right to market the property and, crucially, guarantees the broker a commission if the property sells during the term no matter who finds the buyer. That means even if the seller brings the buyer themselves, the broker still gets paid because the contract promises the commission to the broker for any sale during the listing period.

Other types don’t provide that guarantee. An exclusive-agency listing pays the broker only if the broker or another agent brings the buyer; if the seller finds the buyer alone, there’s no commission. Net listings tie the broker’s fee to the difference between the sale price and the seller’s net amount, not a guaranteed fee, and open listings spread the opportunity across multiple brokers with no single guaranteed payout unless a broker is the one who brings the actual buyer.