In summary, confidentiality, disclosure, loyalty, and reasonable skill and care are duties that may still be owed by the real estate agent even after a listing agreement expires.
Once this agreement expires, your real estate agent no longer represents you. It also means your listing will officially no longer be for sale, as it will be removed from platforms like Realtor®. It will also be removed from the multiple listing service, also called the MLS.
Listing agreements are typically automatically terminated under the following conditions: Expiration of the Listing Agreement: If the time period specified in the agreement comes to an end without a sale, the agreement automatically expires.
A listing agreement should include a termination clause to outline conditions under which the property owner or real estate agent can end the contract early.
In general, valid reasons for terminating a listing agreement include: A) Mutual agreement between the seller and agent, B) Completion of the sale, and C) Expiration of the agreed-upon time period, as these reasons reflect the successful conclusion or mutual termination of the contract.
“'Expired' means your home is off the market,” explains Mary Beth Sales, a real estate agent in Beverly Hills, CA. But that's not all: An expired real estate agreement also means you're no longer tied to your real estate agent.
Key reasons for termination include fraud or mistakes during formation, changes in law rendering the contract illegal, breaches by any party, and mutually agreed-upon terms for ending the contract under specific circumstances.
Why can you terminate a listing agreement? Poor communication: You may cancel a listing agreement due to an agent's poor performance. Bad marketing: Real estate is competitive, even in a seller's market. Unethical behavior: Agents have a fiduciary duty to serve a home seller honestly and ethically.
If you and the seller both mutually agree to cancel the contract, you may be able to legally dissolve it unscathed. Depending on what the issue is, you might also consider renegotiating with the seller and revising the contract to better meet both parties' needs.
If your agent fails to fulfill their obligations as outlined in the listing agreement, you may be able to terminate the contract due to a breach. Common breaches include inadequate marketing efforts, failing to communicate effectively, or not abiding by the terms specified in the agreement.