What is the term for a listing contract that guarantees the broker a commission regardless of who sells the property?

• A. Open listing
• B. Exclusive right of sale listing
• C. Net listing
• D. Exclusive agency listing

Answer: (B)

In listing contracts, the key idea is who is guaranteed a commission if the property sells. The term that guarantees the broker a commission regardless of who finds the buyer is the exclusive right of sale listing. With this arrangement, the broker earns a commission if the property sells during the contract period, no matter who brings in the buyer—whether it’s another broker, the seller, or any other party. This strong guarantee motivates the broker to market the property aggressively because their commission isn’t dependent on who actually locates the buyer.

This differs from an open listing, where no single broker is guaranteed exclusive rights and multiple brokers can try to sell, with only the successful broker earning a commission. It also differs from an exclusive agency listing, where the seller can sell themselves and avoid paying the broker, and from a net listing, which centers on a minimum net price rather than guaranteeing a commission to the broker.