Open Listing
Open Listing is a type of Listing where home sellers allow a real estate agent to sell their house, while not providing any kind of exclusiveness: other agents can also attempt to make the sale. Whoever brings an acceptable offer first, gets the sales commission. And that’s not all: if the home seller finds, by his/her own merits, a buyer; no agent gets the commission!
Normally, home sellers choose an Open Listing to make the sale process faster – after all, each agent has their own clientele and the competition creates a sense of urgency that might make the real estate agent go that extra mile for your property. Also, because if the home doesn’t sell or the home seller changes his/her mind about selling it and decides to pull it out of the market, he/she won’t have to pay anything to the agents trying to sell their home.
However, beware: because of this risky and competitive scenario, many real estate agents shy away from Open Listings. They might favor their Exclusive Rights to Sell Listings and pay less attention to your property. Also, Open Listings can be perceived by potential home buyers as a way to sell difficult or overpriced properties. “If it’s such a nice house, why would its owner need to spread the sales duty through so many agents instead of just one? Maybe he’s had no success, so he’s desperately trying to see if anyone else can sell it”, they might think to themselves. This is a situation the home seller wouldn't want to have, because it means the home buyer will try to lower the Fair Market Value of the house in the negotiation.
So, whenever you decide you want to sell your house, evaluate if an Open listing is the best listing option for your case.
RealEstateAgent.com ADVICE:
Thinking of doing an Open Listing for your house? Hosting an Open House event might be a good option for you to reach possible home buyers and agents. Check our article on how to "Optimize Your Next Open House" for more tips.
Don't think Open Listings are the way to go? No problem; Open Listings are just one out of 5 types of listings. Check our Glossary Terms for the other types of Listing like the Exclusive Right to Sell Listing, Exclusive Agency Listing, Multiple Listing and Net Listing.
Still confused? Use The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory® and find a trustworthy real estate agent to guide you through the listing best suited for your property.
Popular Real Estate Terms
Latin abbreviation for the literal translation meaning" which see". ...
Interest in real property that exists when a tenant remains in possession of leased premises or a "hold over" after his right to possession has ended. In a tenancy at sufferance, a tenant ...
The definition of Fair Market Value in the real estate business is the highest amount that could be received on the sale of a property when there are a willing buyer and a willing seller. ...
Paneled brickwork between timber quarters, a framed wall, or partition. ...
Unrealized gain in value of real property from holding it. The increase value is not recognized in the accounts. When the property is sold there will be a realized gain or loss. ...
An interest in property with the right o possession being postponed into the future until a certain even occurs. There are several possibilities where a future interest in property could ...
Interpreting the objective of a testator in his or her will. The disposition of the testator's estate must be untreatable or it could be legally challenged. ...
Legal lien on property on behalf of an individual who has not been paid for material furnished in constructing property. The material enhanced the value of the property, and as such the ...
Primary business district of a city or urbanized area having the areas major governmental offices, professional, and retail businesses represented. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.