When you decide to sell your home in Frisco, Prosper, McKinney, Plano, Celina, Little Elm, Allen, The Colony, Aubrey, Sherman, or anywhere in North Texas, the first formal document you’ll sign is the Listing Agreement.
This agreement outlines:
✔️ My responsibilities
✔️ Your responsibilities
✔️ How your home will be marketed
✔️ How compensation works
✔️ How showings are handled
✔️ What happens if someone brings an offer
✔️ How the MLS works
✔️ How representation works
I walk sellers through this document line-by-line so there are no surprises.
Let me break it down in simple, first-person terms.
1. What Is the Listing Agreement?
It’s a legally binding contract between you (the seller) and me (your listing agent) that authorizes me to:
✔️ Market your home
✔️ List it in the MLS
✔️ Represent you in negotiations
✔️ Work with buyers’ agents
✔️ Handle showings and inquiries
✔️ Guide you through pricing, staging, repairs, and closing
Think of it as the “game plan” and rulebook for the entire listing process.
2. Listing Type: Exclusive Right to Sell
In Texas, the standard agreement is:
Exclusive Right to Sell
This means:
✔️ I am your exclusive agent
✔️ I represent your interests
✔️ I handle all buyer interactions
✔️ I market the home everywhere
✔️ You receive full professional service
This is different from “open listings,” which do not exist in typical Texas residential real estate.
3. Length of the Agreement
Most agreements range from:
✔️ 60 days
✔️ 90 days
✔️ 180 days
Depending on market conditions and strategy.
I tailor the timeline to your needs and the home’s price category.
4. Listing Price
You and I discuss:
✔️ Market comps
✔️ Pricing strategy
✔️ Timing
✔️ Absorption rate
✔️ Competing listings
✔️ Neighborhood trends
The agreement includes the list price but we can adjust it anytime with a simple written amendment.
5. My Responsibilities Under the Agreement
Here is exactly what I commit to:
✔️ Professional photography
✔️ Accurate MLS listing
✔️ Video marketing and syndication
✔️ Pricing strategy
✔️ Home prep guidance
✔️ Negotiation expertise
✔️ Contract management
✔️ Open houses (if desired)
✔️ Showing feedback management
✔️ Communication with title, lender, inspectors
✔️ Tracking deadlines and documents
I don’t just “list your home”—I manage the entire process from start to finish.
6. Your Responsibilities as the Seller
The agreement outlines basic obligations:
✔️ Provide accurate information
✔️ Allow showings as reasonably possible
✔️ Maintain the home’s condition
✔️ Disclose known defects
✔️ Deliver HOA, survey, and disclosure forms
✔️ Notify me of any major changes
These are straightforward and I guide you through every step.
7. Commission Explained
The agreement specifies:
✔️ Total commission
✔️ How much goes to the buyer’s agent
✔️ How much goes to the listing side
✔️ When compensation is earned
✔️ How it’s paid through the title company
Sellers do not pay me upfront.
Commission is only paid at closing.
8. MLS Rules & How Your Home Gets Exposure
By signing a listing agreement, your property goes into the MLS with:
✔️ Photos
✔️ Floor plan if available
✔️ Measurements
✔️ School info
✔️ Amenities
✔️ Showing instructions
✔️ Showing service integration
✔️ Public and agent-only remarks
From the MLS, your listing syndicates to:
✔️ Zillow
✔️ Realtor.com
✔️ Redfin
✔️ Brokerage websites
✔️ Thousands of IDX sites
You get massive exposure instantly.
9. Showings & Access
The agreement allows me to coordinate showings through:
✔️ Supra lockbox
✔️ ShowingTime
✔️ Accompanied showings (if needed)
You can approve:
✔️ Showing hours
✔️ Notice requirements
✔️ Pet instructions
✔️ Special access notes
Your comfort and privacy matter—we set it up exactly how you want it.
10. Intermediary Representation (Explained Simply)
If a buyer comes from within the same brokerage, Texas law allows intermediary, which means:
✔️ You still have full representation
✔️ Conflicts are managed properly
✔️ The brokerage facilitates the transaction
I explain this fully and only use structures that protect your interests.
11. Protection Period
This clause protects me from situations where:
✔️ A buyer saw the home during the listing
✔️ They try to approach you directly after the agreement expires
It prevents backdoor deals and ensures fairness.
12. What Happens If You Want to Cancel the Agreement?
The agreement outlines cancellation terms, but I operate with a simple philosophy:
If you aren’t happy with my service, you shouldn’t be locked in.
We can discuss cancellation or modifications anytime.
13. Common Misconceptions About the Listing Agreement
❌ “I can’t adjust the price.”
Yes you can—any time.
❌ “I’m stuck even if communication is poor.”
We can modify or release the agreement if needed.
❌ “Once it goes to MLS, I lose control.”
You always control pricing and approval of offers.
❌ “I can’t sell to a buyer directly.”
You can, but commission terms still apply based on the agreement.
14. How I Walk Sellers Through It
When I meet with you, I explain:
✔️ Every paragraph
✔️ Every obligation
✔️ Every right you have
✔️ Every step of the listing process
✔️ All the marketing I provide
✔️ How offers are handled
✔️ How negotiations work
My goal is transparency—and confidence.
15. My Rule of Thumb
**The listing agreement should feel like clarity, not pressure.
You deserve to know exactly what to expect.**
Bottom Line: The Listing Agreement Protects You and Sets the Game Plan
When you work with me, I make sure:
✔️ You understand the entire listing process
✔️ You know exactly what I’ll be doing for you
✔️ You feel comfortable with the obligations and timelines
✔️ You know how the MLS works
✔️ You’re confident in the pricing strategy
✔️ You get full transparency from start to finish
Selling a home is a partnership—and this agreement defines it clearly.
Want Me to Walk You Through the Listing Agreement in Person?
I’m always happy to explain the document in detail and answer every question you have.
