Exclusive Agency Agreement: How They Work and Should You Sign One

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What is an Exclusive Agency Agreement?

An Exclusive Agency Agreement is a legal contract between a real estate firm and home seller that grants the firm the right to be the only entity to market and sell a property. In other words, this agreement gives the real estate agent the right to be the only agent to sell the property.

This is different from the exclusive right of sale agreement in which the seller cannot retain the right to market and sell the house without paying a commission. For exclusive agency agreements, the seller still retains the right to market and sell the home without paying a commission to the listing firm or agent, if the seller finds the buyer independently.

Anyone who hires a real estate agent signs an agreement. In case of sellers, it is the exclusive agency listing. In case of buyers, it can be the buyer’s exclusive agency agreement.

Difference Between Exclusive Right and Exclusive Agency

In an exclusive right agreement, the listing agent will receive commission from the seller regardless. After signing this agreement, the seller of the house will also have to pay a commission to the broker if they find a buyer and sell the house.

In an exclusive agency agreement, the seller retains this right. The biggest difference between the exclusive right and exclusive agency is commission. An exclusive agency will not guarantee commission but an exclusive right will.

Here is an article about different types of listing agreements.

How Exclusive Agency Agreements Work

There are key elements in any exclusive agency agreements. Here are some common ones used by firms and agents:

  1. Exclusivity :
    1. Exclusive right to sell : If the agreement is between a seller and a broker, it could include the exclusive right to sell, thereby giving the chosen firm or agent the sole right to sell the property.
    2. Buyer-broker exclusivity : Buyer-broker exclusivity in an exclusive agency agreement means that a buyer will only work with the firm or agent the buyer chose. The buyer cannot change or look for other firms and agents to work with.