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.
First off, without a defined expiration date, you didn't have a ratified listing agreement. Second, in California, as of 2024, you cannot have a listing agreement term for longer than 24 months, and if you essentially had an indefinite listing agreement, this would be unlawful.
The Court held that under the law of agency, the seller's death terminated the relationship and the listing contract between the seller and the real estate agent.
If you're set on canceling, send a formal request in writing, either via email or certified letter. Be sure to include your property address, the date, and a clear statement that you're terminating the agreement. If you want to work with a different agent in the future, be clear about the termination timeframe.
Here is an example of a termination clause: “Party A and Party B have the right to terminate the Contract under material breach, change in circumstances, insolvency, and mutual agreement. To terminate the Contract, the terminating party must provide 30 days of written notice to the other party.
Write a termination contract letter Include your heading information. This includes the date of creation and recipient and sender information. Get specific. Create your statement of intent for contract cancellation. End with an end date. Explicitly state the date that you intend to halt the contract.
Although the listing agreement is a legally binding document, your realtor may be able to work with you to cancel the contract or make necessary adjustments based on your situation.
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.