May Listing Agreements Be Terminated Without Penalty For Non Payment In Contra Costa

State:
Multi-State
County:
Contra Costa
Control #:
US-00048DR
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Word; 
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Description

In the context of real property law, a listing agreement governs the terms of the sale of real property by a third party real estate agency or broker. A listing contract may cover issues, among others, such as the price and terms of sale, broker's commission, agency duties of a listing agent, whether or not the property will be listed with the local MLS (multiple listing service), lockbox use, and resolution of disputes.


There are at least ten ways that a listing agreement may be terminated.


" When a real estate broker successfully sells a property for their client the listing agreement is complete.

" Listing agreements are typically inclusive of a definite time frame. When this period of time is reached, the listing agreement is terminated. Automatic extensions are illegal in many states, and are highly discouraged.

" If a broker does nothing to market the property, the owner of the property may end the listing due to the brokers abandonment of the property.

" Sellers can revoke the listing agreement, however there may be damages to the broker for which the seller can be held liable.

" Brokers can renounce the listing agreement, however they may be held for damages to the seller.

" Death, insanity, or bankruptcy of either the broker or the seller will often terminate the listing.

" Destruction of the property terminates the agreement because the agreement cannot be performed.

" The listing agreement can be terminated through a mutual consent between the broker and the seller.

" If the use of the property changes significantly, the listing agreement can be cancelled.

" In the real estate market, transfer of title by operation of law can terminate the listing agreement.

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FAQ

In California this is not considered illegal or unethical in and of itself, but since the law requires an agent to put their client's interest above their own, pocket listings warrant close scrutiny. A pocket listing is a listing with limited exposure to the general market place.

Not all deals are required to be in writing. Often, smaller, less valuable transactions, or short-term services, may not require a written agreement at all. Depending on your comfort level, however, a written agreement can make sure both buyer and seller are on the same page.

This Practice Note considers the specific situations where a contract is required by law to be in writing: assignments, contracts for the sale of land, equitable mortgages, assents, transfers of shares, transfers of intellectual property rights, and guarantees.

The settlement required real estate licensees to have a written agreement with a buyer before showing properties listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). AB 2992 expands this requirement to all properties, whether it is listed on an MLS or not, and also imposes several additional requirements.

A contract might include an express right to terminate if payment is not made on time. In that case, the innocent party has a contractual right to terminate providing it follows the contract terms and procedures. For example, the breaching party may have the right to remedy the breach upon service of a breach notice.

Under California Civil Code Section 1624, certain contracts – including marriage, real estate, broker, lender, debt repayment, sales agreement, and agreements that take over a year to complete – must be in writing.

For the buyer who wants to get out of a contract, a failure of any one of the contingencies may release the buyer from going through with the deal. For the seller, a failure of the buyer to complete the conditions within the specifically provided time may release the seller from the contract.

1. Review the Agreement: Check for a cancellation or termination clause that outlines the process and any potential penalties. 2. Written Notice: Provide a written notice to your agent or their brokerage firm stating your desire to cancel, citing the reasons clearly and professionally.

The simplest way to terminate a listing agreement is through mutual consent. If both you and your agent agree to part ways, you can cancel the agreement without penalties. Make sure to document this agreement in writing, as it will serve as evidence in case of any disputes later on.

Legal Grounds for Termination These include: Mutual Agreement: The most straightforward path to termination is when both parties agree to end the agreement. This often occurs when both the seller and broker recognize that their objectives are not being met, or circumstances have changed.

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May Listing Agreements Be Terminated Without Penalty For Non Payment In Contra Costa