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Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement

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Leasing Commission Agreement

Agreement made on the (date), between of , referred to herein as Broker, and of , referred to herein as Owner, and of , referred to herein as Tenant.

Whereas, Owner has legal title to a property located at , and more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof; and

Whereas, the said property contains office space described in Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof; and

Whereas, Broker has presented the office space needs of Tenant to Owner and has and will render services in connection with the leasing of office space to the Tenant; and

Whereas, should a Lease be consummated, Owner has agreed to pay Broker a real estate commission in consideration for services rendered and to be rendered in consummating a Lease pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

Whereas, Owner understands and agrees that Broker is serving solely as a representative of the interests of Tenant. Likewise, Owner acknowledges that the applicable fee structure(s) defined below, as mutually agreed between Owner, Broker and Tenant, has been considered and included within the Owner’s proposal for lease;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

I. Agreement to Pay Commission. Owner hereby agrees to pay a real estate commission to Broker in a sum equal to % of the total Gross Rentals to be paid to Owner over the term of the Lease (with no offset). Should a lease term be for a period greater than (number) years, Owner will pay only % of the total Gross Rentals to be paid to Owner for the period exceeding the (number) month of rental payments. The commission on any expansion shall be equal to % of the total additional Gross Rents added to, or above the total rents of the original Lease, if the Broker is involved. The commission on any renewal shall be % Total Gross Rentals.

II. Payment of Commission. The commission shall be due and payable to Broker in cash (i) one half (1/2) at the time the Lease is signed and (ii) the balance on the earlier to occur of (a) the first day that Tenant occupies all or any portion of the space covered by the Lease, or (b) commencement of the term under the Lease. If Tenant's space is expanded or if the Lease is renewed, the commission in relation to such renewal or expansion will be due and payable in full at the time a modification or renewal notice covering the expansion or renewal is executed by Owner and Tenant, if Broker is involved.

III. Successors and Assigns. The obligation to pay and the right to receive any of the commissions described above shall inure to the benefit and obligation of the respective heirs, successors and/or assigns of Owner or Broker. In the event of a sale or an assignment of the Property which includes Tenant's demised premises, Owner agrees to secure from the purchaser or assignee a written recordable agreement under which the new owner or assignee assumes payment to Broker all commissions payable hereunder.

IV. Representation of Tenant. Although Owner will pay the commission to Broker, Broker will not be representing Owner in the contemplated lease transaction. Broker will be representing only Tenant in such transaction. Owner acknowledges and agrees that he/she is responsible for any commissions due any other broker with respect to this transaction

V. Owner agrees to disclose to Broker and to Tenant any and all information which Owner has regarding the condition of the property including, but not limited, to structural, mechanical and soil conditions, the presence of and location of asbestos, PCB transformers, other toxic, hazardous or contaminated substances, and underground storage tanks in, on, or about the Property. Broker is authorized to disclose any such information to Tenant.

VI. Severability. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

VII. No Waiver. The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

VIII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of (name of state).

IX. Notices. Unless provided herein to the contrary, any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

X. Mandatory Arbitration. Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

XI. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

XII. Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

XIII. Assignment of Rights. The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

XIV. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

XVI. Compliance with Laws. In performing under this Agreement, all applicable governmental laws, regulations, orders, and other rules of duly-constituted authority will be followed and complied with in all respects by both parties.

Witness our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

Enter text✕

What the Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement Is

An Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement is a contract between a property owner (the seller) and a licensed real estate broker granting the broker the sole right to market and sell the property during a specified listing term. It sets the broker's authority to advertise, list the property on the MLS, negotiate offers, and collect a commission if the property sells for any reason during the term. The agreement defines the property, listing price, commission rate or formula, marketing obligations, showing instructions, and termination conditions that govern the broker-seller relationship.

Why this Agreement Matters for Sellers and Brokers

The Exclusive Right to Sell provides clear allocation of marketing responsibility and commission entitlement, reducing disputes about who procured the buyer. It creates enforceable obligations for the broker and sets timelines for listing activity.

Why this Agreement Matters for Sellers and Brokers

Who Typically Completes and Signs This Agreement

Keep a fully executed copy with the brokerage file and provide the seller with a copy; maintain records for post-closing accountability.

  • Listing Brokers: Prepare the agreement, set commission, and ensure MLS compliance before listing.
  • Property Owners: Review terms, confirm legal name and authority to sell, and sign to grant exclusivity.
  • Co-owners / Executors: All owners or authorized representatives must sign when title is held jointly or via estate.

Core Components to Include in a Professional Listing Agreement

A complete Exclusive Right to Sell should be explicit about parties, property, compensation, duties, term, and dispute resolution to avoid later disagreements.

Parties

Full legal names of seller(s) and licensed brokerage, including brokerage license number and broker of record.

Property Description

Complete street address and legal description or parcel ID sufficient to identify the property in public records and MLS.

Listing Price & Terms

Initial list price, pricing adjustments process, and whether seller authorizes price reductions without prior consent.

Commission

Commission rate or formula, how it is split with cooperating brokers, and when it is earned and payable.

Broker Duties

Marketing activities, MLS entry, open houses, advertising limits, and the broker's obligation to present offers promptly.

Duration & Termination

Start and end dates, automatic extension conditions, early termination rights, and post-expiration commission protection.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Complete and Execute the Agreement

Follow this checklist to prepare, review, sign, and store the executed listing agreement.

  • 01
    Prepare: Populate party names, property, price, and commission fields accurately.
  • 02
    Review: Confirm MLS rules, state disclosures, and seller consent on any addenda.
  • 03
    Sign: Obtain seller and broker signatures; document the date and signer capacity.
  • 04
    Store: Save signed copies to brokerage file and provide seller a copy.

How to Configure an Online Listing Agreement Workflow

Set up a consistent digital workflow for preparing, signing, and archiving listing agreements.

Field Configuration
Template Create a reusable template with locked boilerplate and editable fields.
Signer Order Set broker as preparer then seller as signer; allow parallel signing for co-owners.
Authentication Choose email link or SMS code for signer verification based on seller preference.
Reminders Enable automated reminders and audit trail capture for compliance and tracking.

Digital Signing and File Format Considerations

Use a platform that produces an audit trail, preserves a reproducible signed copy, and supports role-based access to meet compliance needs.

  • File Types: PDF and DOCX are standard for contracts and MLS upload.
  • Integrations: Connectors for MLS, CRM, and cloud storage streamline records management.
  • Security: Use TLS and AES encryption for transit and storage.

Where to Send or File the Executed Agreement

After execution, route copies to internal and external recipients to meet brokerage and compliance requirements.

  • Broker File: Store the fully executed agreement in the brokerage transaction file immediately.
  • Seller Copy: Deliver an executed copy to the seller via email or signed download.
  • MLS Entry: Upload required disclosures and listing info to the MLS per local rules.
  • Cloud Backup: Archive in secure cloud storage for record retention and audit.

Key Timing Items and Deadlines to Track

Monitor dates that affect exclusivity, commission protections, and statutory disclosures to avoid lapses.

Effective Date:

The MM/DD/YYYY date when broker authority and exclusivity begin.

Expiration Date:

The MM/DD/YYYY date when exclusive listing rights terminate automatically.

Commission Protection:

Period after expiration during which broker may still earn commission, if specified.

Disclosure Deadlines:

Any state-specific timing to deliver property condition disclosures to buyers.

MLS Entry Window:

Local MLS timing for entering or activating the listing after execution.

Notarization, Witnessing, and Authentication Flow

Follow these steps to confirm whether notarization or witnesses are required and to complete any authentication needed.

01

Confirm State Law

Check whether the signature, notary, or witness requirements vary by jurisdiction.

02

Decide Notarization

Most listing agreements do not require notarization, but notarizing can strengthen record authenticity.

03

Select Method

Choose in-person notarization or Remote Online Notarization (RON) if allowed by state.

04

Obtain ID

Verify signer identity using government ID or electronic identity proofing.

05

Record Session

For RON, retain the audio-video record per state notary rules.

06

Add Acknowledgment

Attach notary acknowledgment when notarized to streamline later title review.

07

Witnesses If Needed

Obtain witness signatures only when a state or transaction requires them.

08

Store Documentation

Keep notarization logs or RON session data with the transaction file.

Required Data Elements and Short Validation Notes

Seller Name: Match title records
Brokerage Info: Include license number
Property Address: Full street address
Listing Price: Numeric value
Commission Terms: Percentage or flat fee
Effective Dates: MM/DD/YYYY format

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

  • Using an owner nickname instead of the legal name, which can delay closings and require corrective affidavits or amendments.
  • Leaving commission language vague or omitting how cooperating broker splits are calculated, triggering later disputes.
  • Failing to attach required state disclosures or addenda before listing, which can result in MLS removal or administrative penalties.
  • Not documenting seller consent for price reductions or marketing actions, which can lead to conflicts and claims against the broker.

Potential Risks and Consequences of Errors

Commission Disputes: Civil claims
License Violations: Fines or disciplinary action
Contract Voidability: Unenforceable terms
MLS Sanctions: Listing removal
Fraud Allegations: Legal exposure
Delayed Closing: Title issues

Real-World Examples from Broker Operations

These short examples illustrate how brokers and small agencies use digital execution to streamline listing workflows.

Martin Properties

A small brokerage adopted online execution to eliminate paper signatures and speed listings.

  • Reduced in-person meetings by enabling remote signing.
  • Tim Martin, Founder of Martin Properties, reported processing and executing documents online with compliance and security, improving speed from listing to market entry.

Optica Ventures

A portfolio manager standardized listing agreements across multiple properties using templates.

  • Templates reduced drafting time and inconsistencies.
  • Brian Fitzgibbons, COO of Optica Ventures LLC, noted the interface was simple for staff and clients while supporting consistent documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Execution and Enforcement

Answers to common execution, validity, and post-signing questions specific to Exclusive Right to Sell agreements.


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Comparison: Common eSignature Options for Executing Listing Agreements

Comparison of typical vendor starting prices and core capabilities relevant to signing and managing listing agreements; signNow is listed first.

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