It’s common to encounter jargon and slang when you first start looking into buying a home. Let’s start with the basics of real estate terminology and explain the distinction between an exclusive and non-exclusive listing so as not to overwhelm you.
Exclusive Listing
When you sign an exclusive listing agreement with a real estate agent, you give that person the sole right to try to sell your home. Because only the selling agent can earn a commission from bringing in new purchasers, only that agent will be interested in showing your home to prospective buyers. You and your agent can agree on a time frame during which the listing will be hidden, and then after that time, it will be made public on the MLS.
Non-Exclusive Listing
A non-exclusive listing agreement allows other agents to show your house to potential purchasers and allows your listing to be put on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The increased visibility of your home is a benefit of this setup. You can reach more potential buyers and real estate agents by having your listing distributed to websites. In Canada’s Real Estate industry, non-exclusive listings are the norm.