What is an open listing agreement?

An open listing is a non-exclusive contract between a seller and a real estate agent (or several agents). It stipulates that the seller will pay an agent’s commission if the agent introduces them to a buyer who ultimately closes on the home. Read More.

Will I have to pay commission if I sign an open listing agreement?

You only pay an agent’s commission if they bring the buyer who ultimately closes on the home. If you find your own buyer, you can avoid paying realtor commissions entirely. Read More.

Can I sign more than one open listing agreement?

You can sign open listing agreements with multiple agents, which increases your home’s visibility at zero upfront cost or additional time commitment. Read More.

Can I back out of an open listing agreement?

When you sign an open listing agreement with an agent, you’re only obligated to pay commission if you accept an offer from their buyer — so you probably won’t need to terminate the contract. Read More.

Steve Nicastro

Content Team Lead

Steve Nicastro is a Content Team Lead at Clever Real Estate, the nation's leading real estate education platform for home buyers, sellers, and investors. Prior to joining Clever, Steve helped buyers and sellers navigate a challenging real estate market in Charleston, S.C., closing $6 million in transaction volume for 2020 and 2021.

Steve also worked as a personal finance writer for NerdWallet for over 6 years. His work has been published at USA Today, The Associated Press, U.S. News, and the New York Times, among other online publications.

Expertise: Real estate commission, selling a house without a realtor, buying a home, real estate investing.

Education: Quinnipiac University

Credentials: Full-time, licensed real estate agent in the Charleston, S.C. market from 2019-22. Active real estate investor in North and South Carolina.

External interviews and quotes:

US News: What the $2 Billion NAR Lawsuit Means for Homebuyers and Sellers
Consumer Affairs: Zillow Launches 1% Down Mortgage
The Mortgage Reports: Is an Assumable Home Loan Right for You? Q&A

Find more from Steve:

Featured Published Articles

Selling FSBO? Here’s How an Open Listing Agreement Can Help
Open listing agreements let sellers work directly with buyers' agents — without giving up the right to find a buyer on their own.
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Savvy Lane: Should You Use It for Your FSBO Sale?
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ListingSpark Reviews: Is This FSBO Service Worth it?
ListingSpark helps you list your FSBO home on the MLS for a flat fee. Here’s what this flat fee MLS service provides and how much the service costs.