Exclusive representation
Exclusive listing: one professional accountable for your sale
In Florida, the most common listing agreement is the exclusive right to sell. The homeowner entrusts the marketing of the property to an agent for an agreed term and, in return, that agent takes full responsibility for the process. It is the arrangement I have worked under since 2008, and this page explains why.
Ilkania Baez · Realtor® since 2008 · RE/MAX Hall of Fame · Florida License 3207105 · English · Español
What the agent is bound to do
- Define the pricing strategy with the owner from real market data.
- Prepare and market the property: professional photography, MLS, RE/MAX network, portals and a private buyer database.
- Manage every showing, every inquiry and every offer, keeping the owner informed of all of it.
- Negotiate in the seller’s exclusive interest through closing.
What the homeowner gains
One strategy instead of diluted efforts among several agents who answer for nothing. One point of contact for buyers, which avoids contradictory messages about price or terms. And one person directly accountable: if something stalls, you know exactly whom to ask.
Term, commission and cancellation
The term is agreed in writing, as is the commission, which is negotiable and not set by any law. Before you sign, I explain clearly what my service includes, how long the agreement runs and under what conditions it can end. Trust starts with a contract you understand.
Exclusive does not mean less exposure
The opposite. The property is published on the MLS, which every agent in the market can access and bring buyers to. Exclusivity organizes who leads the sale; it does not limit who can buy.
The three types of listing agreement in Florida
- Exclusive right to sell: the agent earns the commission if the property sells during the term, whoever brings the buyer. It is the most common and the one that lets an agent invest fully in marketing.
- Exclusive agency: the owner keeps the right to sell on their own without commission; the agent represents the property with a weaker incentive.
- Open listing: several agents may try to sell with no exclusivity. Nobody answers for the result and the property rarely gets serious marketing.
What your agreement should include
- Term, and the conditions for renewal or cancellation.
- The agreed commission and how it is shared with a buyer’s agent, if applicable.
- The initial list price and a commitment to revisit it with data.
- Marketing obligations: photography, MLS, portals, showings and reporting.
- A clearly explained post-expiration protection clause.
How to evaluate a listing agent
Ask for verifiable volume on the MLS, references from recent sellers and a written marketing plan before you sign. An agent who has represented sellers since 2008 and closed 79 listing transactions in a single year can show you the data; one who promises without data cannot.
Frequently asked questions
Can other agents show my house if it is listed exclusively with you?
Yes. Through the MLS any agent can present their buyer. The difference is that strategy, negotiation and accountability for the result remain mine.
What if I sell on my own during the agreement?
It depends on the agreement signed. Under an exclusive right to sell, commission is earned on a sale during the term; we review this together before signing so there are no surprises.
How long is the agreement?
It is set according to the property and the market, long enough to complete preparation, marketing and negotiation without rushing.
Can I cancel the agreement if I am not satisfied?
Cancellation terms are set in the agreement. I prefer them clear from the start: my work stands on results, not on clauses.
Does exclusivity raise the sale price?
It raises the quality of the marketing and the negotiation, which is what determines the final price. A property with one strategy and one accountable person reaches the market better prepared.
Professional valuation at no cost