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.
A listing cancellation form is a document used by a seller to formally cancel an existing listing agreement with a broker. It is typically used when a seller wishes to terminate a listing agreement before its expiration, or when the seller has decided to not move forward with the sale of their property.
Begin by addressing the letter to the real estate agent by name, and clearly state that you are terminating the contract. Be sure to include the date of termination and any relevant details about the reasons for ending the agreement.
Termination clauses can always be customized but standard ones are included in almost every agreement.
If you've officially decided to move forward with the cancellation, it's time to put it in writing and send it to the other party. When writing this letter, make sure to include the date the contract was drafted, the address of the home, the date of cancellation, and your reasons.
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.
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.