For which type of listing does the seller pay only the selling broker?

In an open listing, the seller retains the right to sell the property independently or through multiple agents. This means that if the property is sold by the seller themselves or by any broker, only the broker who brings the buyer to the table will earn the commission. The seller is not obligated to pay a commission to any broker unless they are the one who completes the sale. This is why in an open listing, the seller pays only the selling broker who successfully finds a buyer for the property.

On the other hand, exclusive right to sell and exclusive agency agreements create obligations for the seller to pay a commission regardless of who sells the property. In exclusive right to sell, the listing broker earns a commission even if the seller sells the property themselves. In exclusive agency, the seller can sell the property themselves without owing commission to the broker, but if another broker sells it, the commission is owed to that broker. A multiple listing service (MLS) is not a type of listing agreement but rather a cooperative database that allows brokers to share listings to increase exposure and potential sales.