What does an exclusive agency listing allow the owner to do?

An exclusive agency listing provides the property owner with the unique benefit of selling their property independently while still having an agreement with a broker. The key feature here is that if the owner finds a buyer without the aid of the broker, they are not obligated to pay a commission to the broker. This arrangement incentivizes the owner to market their property actively, as they can retain full proceeds from a sale that they negotiate themselves, despite having a designation with a broker for listing the property.

This choice is particularly appealing to sellers who believe they can successfully manage some aspects of the sale on their own but still want the assistance of a broker in marketing the property and reaching potential buyers. Other types of listings, such as exclusive right-to-sell agreements, would require the owner to pay a commission regardless of how the sale occurs, which differentiates it from an exclusive agency listing.