There are many types of listing agreements out there besides the ones most commonly heard of or used, and it might be helpful to know what can of options you can search for.

Exclusive Right To Sell- This is the option most frequently used and heard of. You have a listing agent who markets your home or works with other realtors to see what kind of buying clients they have. You get a full service with this deal: listing on the MLS (Multiple Listing System), full marketing, open houses, etc. However, with this deal, no matter who buys the home (someone brought by the realtor or yourself) the realtor earns a commission as they put out their own money and time to try and sell the home.

Open Listing- This is a type of listing for those who are trying to sell FSBO (For Sale By Owner) but are willing to do some work with realtors. The realtors are allowed to bring buyers to see the home, and if a deal is made, the realtors get a commission. As any realtor can bring buyers to see the home, your home will not be put up on the MLS by any realtor, unless you yourself pay to put it up. You will also have to do your own marketing with your own expenses.

One Time Show- With this option, it also deals with realtors showing a FSBO home to one of their clients. However, in this case the seller signs an agreement beforehand, with the name of the buying client of the realtor mentioned, which guarantees commission to the realtor if said buyer purchases the home. This agreement prevents the seller from trying to make a side deal with the buyer, cutting the realtor out of any commission. This option also does not provide marketing or listing on the MLS.

Exclusive Agency Listing- While this is a nice deal for those selling FSBO, it is not preferred by realtors or their agencies. In choosing this option, a realtor lists and markets your home, and of course gains commission if the home is sold through a buyer they have found. However, if you the home owner finds a buyer on your own, they do not get commission. Therefore, many realtors do not want to go to all the trouble of marketing your home, if there is the chance they will get nothing in return.