What is an 'exclusive right to sell' listing?

An 'exclusive right to sell' listing is a type of real estate listing agreement that grants a single broker the exclusive authority to sell a property. This arrangement means that no matter who brings a buyer—whether it's the broker or another party—the broker is entitled to a commission if the property is sold during the listing period. This structure provides a strong incentive for the broker to market the property aggressively, as their commission is secured regardless of the source of the buyer.

This setup is advantageous for sellers, as it clarifies the broker’s role and responsibility in the sales process, while simultaneously providing the broker with confidence in investing time and resources into marketing the property.