A listing agreement is a binding contract, but there are a number of ways to get out of one. Whether you change your mind about selling, have ethical or performance concerns about the agent, or you just don't find a buyer, you can get out of a listing agreement.
The three types of real estate listing agreements are open listing, exclusive agency listing, and exclusive right-to-sell listing.
In most markets, a 90 or 120-day exclusive right to sell gives the experienced agent time to effectively market the home. If the listing expires and the agent is doing a poor job, the seller isn't stuck with a bad agent. However, if the agent is doing a good job when the listing expires, the listing can be renewed.
Similarly, real estate agents may use electronic listing agreement forms to create an enforceable agency relationship with a client, as though it were a printed document manually signed by the client.
To avoid such predatory practices, California enacted Civil Code 1670.12 and Government Code 27280.6, which took effect January 1, 2024, prohibiting an exclusive listing agreement to last longer than 24 months or to renew such a listing for longer than 12 months.
A "listing agreement" is a contract between a real estate agent or broker (the industry professional who will be listing the property for sale) and a home seller.