Which type of listing agreement allows a seller to sell their property and still owe the agent a commission?

The exclusive right to sell listing is the type of listing agreement that obliges the seller to pay the agent a commission regardless of who sells the property, whether it be the agent or the seller themselves. This means that if the seller manages to find a buyer on their own, they are still required to compensate the agent for their services, as the agent holds the exclusive right to represent the property.

This arrangement incentivizes the agent to put forth maximum effort into marketing and selling the property, knowing they will earn their commission no matter who ultimately facilitates the sale. Consequently, this type of listing is often favored by real estate agents because it provides a level of guaranteed commission, making it a more secure agreement for them compared to other types of listings.

Other types of agreements, such as open listings, exclusive agency listings, and net listings, do not have the same guarantee for the agent's commission if the seller successfully sells the property without their involvement. This distinction emphasizes the security and definitive nature of the exclusive right to sell listing for agents in terms of commission earned.