Which type of listing agreement offers the most protection to the agent?

The exclusive right to sell listing offers the most protection to the agent because it guarantees them a commission regardless of who sells the property, whether it's the agent, the owner, or another agent. This type of agreement is a legally binding contract where the seller agrees to work exclusively with one agent to sell their property, thereby preventing any other agents from having rights to the commission for that sale.

In this arrangement, the agent is incentivized to put forth their maximum effort in marketing and selling the property, knowing that they will be compensated for their work no matter the outcome. The exclusivity essentially limits competition from other agents and secures the agent's financial interest throughout the listing period.

Other types of listing agreements, such as the open listing and exclusive agency listing, do not provide the same level of assurance to the agent. Open listings, for example, allow multiple agents to sell the property and only the agent who produces a buyer will get the commission. Exclusive agency listings allow the seller to sell the property on their own without owing the agent a commission if they find a buyer independently. Net listings can be problematic and are not uniformly accepted, as they often conflict with ethical guidelines regarding commission structures.