The District of Columbia Exclusive Listing Agreement — Residential is a legally binding document used in the real estate industry when a homeowner wishes to engage the services of a real estate agent or broker exclusively to sell their residential property in the District of Columbia. This agreement ensures that the agent or broker has sole authority to market and sell the property for a specified period. The purpose of the District of Columbia Exclusive Listing Agreement — Residential is to establish the rights and obligations of both the homeowner (the "Seller") and the real estate agent or broker (the "Listing Agent"). It outlines the terms and conditions under which the property will be listed and sold, including the agreed-upon listing price, the duration of the agreement, and the compensation structure for the listing agent. By entering into this agreement, the Seller agrees to grant the Listing Agent the exclusive right to represent them in the sale of their property. The Seller also agrees not to engage any other real estate agents or brokers to sell the property during the term of the agreement. This ensures that the Listing Agent has the opportunity to market the property effectively without competition from other agents. One important aspect to note is that there might be different types of District of Columbia Exclusive Listing Agreements — Residential, such as: 1. Open Listing Agreement: This type of agreement allows the Seller to work with multiple real estate agents simultaneously. The first agent to procure a buyer for the property receives the commission, while the others receive nothing. 2. Exclusive Agency Listing Agreement: In this type of agreement, the Seller grants exclusive rights to one particular agent, but reserves the right to sell the property themselves without paying a commission to the agent. However, if the Seller engages another agent and that agent procures a qualified buyer, the listing agent is still entitled to a commission. 3. Exclusive Right-to-Sell Listing Agreement: This is the most common type of exclusive listing agreement. It grants the listing agent the exclusive right to market and sell the property during the term of the agreement. Regardless of who sells the property, the listing agent is entitled to the commission. The District of Columbia Exclusive Listing Agreement — Residential protects both the Seller and the Listing Agent from potential disputes and ensures a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities. It is crucial for both parties to carefully review and negotiate the terms of the agreement before signing.