Which type of listing allows a seller to retain the right to sell the property themselves and avoid paying a commission to the broker?

The type of listing that allows a seller to retain the right to sell the property themselves and avoid paying a commission to the broker is the exclusive agency listing. In this arrangement, the seller engages a broker and agrees to pay a commission if the property sells through the broker's efforts. However, the seller also retains the privilege to sell the property independently. If the seller finds a buyer without broker assistance, they are not obligated to pay the commission, which differentiates this type of listing from others.

In contrast, an exclusive right-to-sell listing would require the seller to pay the commission regardless of who sells the property, including the seller themselves. An open listing is a non-exclusive agreement that allows multiple brokers to represent the seller; the seller can also sell independently without incurring a fee if they find a buyer themselves. A net listing is a type of agreement where the broker’s commission is whatever is above a specified minimum price for the property, but it does not provide the seller the same rights regarding self-sale as an exclusive agency listing. Thus, the exclusive agency listing specifically provides the commission-saving opportunity for the seller when selling on their own.