What is the listing agent, a selling agent ?

This article is to help you understand the two jobs that licensed Realtors perform and hopefully clear up some confusion about the terminology.

Listing Agent - The listing agent is a Realtor that is hired by the owner of real estate (seller) to market and sell their home. The seller signs a contract and an exclusive relationship is established and a commission is established to sell the home. The listing agent puts the home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which allows other Realtors from different brokerage offices to participate in the sale of the home. Typically the listing agent then offers half of the commission to that Realtor, commonly referred to as the selling agent, as compensation for cooperating in the sale of the home. The #1 job of the listing agent is to establish a marketing plan to promote the sale of their clients home. This includes Internet advertising, newspaper advertising, magazine ads, signage, etc. The listing agent has to advertise and promote the home using their own money without any compensation from the seller until the home is sold. Therefore the listing agent assumes all the risk as opposed to the selling agent.

Selling Agent -The selling agent represents a buyer in the purchase of real estate and is also referred to as a buyer's agent. The #1 job of the selling agent is to consult with the client to determine their exact needs, research homes that fit their clients needs in the MLS, and then show them the homes and write offers on homes that lead to a contract. The selling agent assumes no financial risk except for time spent and gas money. Likewise, in the state of Florida, the buyer's agent does not get paid until the home is sold and as stated above is paid by the listing agent/seller.