Which listing contract guarantees the broker a commission regardless of who finds a buyer?

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

Answer: (D)

The listing contract that guarantees the broker a commission no matter who finds the buyer is an exclusive right to sell listing. In this arrangement, the broker has the exclusive right to market the property and earns a commission if a sale occurs during the listing period, regardless of who actually brings the buyer. This creates a strong incentive for the broker to invest in advertising, showings, and negotiations because their payment is secured by the contract, not just by who happens to find a buyer.

Open listings put no one in an exclusive position: multiple brokers can try, and only the broker who actually brings the buyer typically earns a commission, with no guarantee if the seller finds a buyer themselves. Net listings set a specific net price to the seller, and the broker's commission is the difference between that net price and the sale price, a setup that can encourage unethical behavior and also doesn’t guarantee payment if no sale occurs through the broker. Exclusive agency listings give the seller the right to find a buyer without owing a commission to the broker, unless the broker is the one who procures the buyer.