Exclusive or open listing: which agency mandate gets the best price?
Exclusive or open mandate: differences, duration, termination and the real impact on your sale price and selling time.
Xavier Andalaft
Agent immobilier
Should you list your property with one agency, or several at once? Many sellers think that more agencies mean more chances. In practice, it is often the opposite. Here are the concrete differences between the two mandates, so you can choose with full knowledge.
The open (simple) mandate
With an open mandate, you can list with several agencies and also sell privately yourself. The first agency to find the buyer earns the fee.
On paper, it looks flexible. But it has side effects:
the property appears several times on listing sites, sometimes at different prices, which worries buyers;
each agency invests little, since it has no guarantee of being paid;
the property lingers on the market and ends up looking as if it has a flaw.
The exclusive mandate
With an exclusive mandate, a single agency handles the sale for a set period. In return, it commits to a precise action plan: professional photos, wide marketing, qualified viewings, regular reports.
The seller has one contact, one advertised price and a consistent strategy. The agency can commit fully, knowing its work will be rewarded.
Duration and termination: what the law says
The main fear is often "being locked in". French law strictly regulates this.
The exclusive mandate cannot be revoked during the first three months.
After that, you can terminate it at any time with 15 days' notice by registered letter.
If the mandate is signed outside the agency, for example at your home, you have a 14-day cooling-off period.
The mandate also sets out the price, the fees and who pays them. Read it carefully and ask all your questions before signing.
Which one to choose?
An open mandate may suit a highly sought-after property in a tight market, if you are in no hurry. For most sales, the exclusive mandate delivers better results: a price better defended in negotiation, often a shorter selling time and much closer follow-up.
The real criterion is the quality of support. Before signing, ask the agency for a reasoned valuation, its marketing plan and how often it will report back.
The LGH Patrimoine approach
At LGH Patrimoine, every exclusive mandate comes with a written commitment: detailed valuation, property staging, targeted marketing and real-time digital tracking of viewings and offers. You always know where your sale stands. Contact us for a free valuation.
