Louisiana guide

Louisiana Listing Agreements: Core Requirements and Broker Supervision

A Louisiana listing agreement is the written contract that lets a real estate broker market your home and spells out how they get paid.

TL;DR

A Louisiana listing agreement is the written contract that lets a real estate broker market your home and spells out how they get paid. State rules require the agreement to be in writing, signed with your broker (not just the agent you met), and to have a clear end date — no open-ended commitments. Read every line on termination, commission, and cancellation before you sign, because most disputes later come from sellers who didn't understand what they agreed to.

Before you start — 9 things to know

  • In Louisiana, your listing agreement has to be in writing — a handshake or verbal promise to sell your home does not count under state real estate rules.

  • Your contract is with the brokerage and its supervising broker, not the individual agent who came to your house. If that agent leaves the company, the listing stays with the brokerage.

  • Every Louisiana listing agreement must have a definite termination date. Contracts that 'auto-renew forever' or never end are not allowed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

  • There are three common types: exclusive right to sell, exclusive agency, and open listing. Exclusive right to sell is the most common — under it, the broker earns the commission even if you find the buyer yourself during the listing period.

  • The commission rate and how it's paid must be written into the agreement. Commissions are negotiable in Louisiana — there's no required percentage.

  • Since the settlement, your listing agreement should also say how you want to handle the buyer's agent fee — whether you'll offer to cover it as a seller concession, refuse, or decide case by case when an offer comes in.

  • Ask about the cancellation clause before you sign. Some agreements let you cancel with written notice, others lock you in for the full term — and they are not the same thing.

  • A 'protection period' (sometimes called a tail or carryover) means that if a buyer who toured your home during the listing buys it shortly after the contract ends, you may still owe the broker a commission. Check how long this lasts.

  • If anything in the agreement is confusing — termination date, commission math, marketing duties, who pays for what — ask the broker to walk you through it line by line before you sign. You're allowed to take it home overnight to read.

The timeline — step by step

  1. You interview one or more brokerages and pick the one you want to list your home with.

  2. At the listing appointment, the agent presents the written listing agreement on behalf of their supervising broker — that's who the contract is actually with.

  3. You and the broker negotiate the key terms: listing type (exclusive right to sell, exclusive agency, or open), commission, marketing plan, start date, and a definite end date.

  4. You also decide how to handle buyer's agent compensation post- settlement — whether you'll offer a concession upfront, consider one if a buyer asks, or refuse.

  5. You sign the agreement. The broker keeps a signed copy on file, as required by Louisiana Real Estate Commission rules.

  6. The brokerage markets the home — typically including listing, photos, signage, and online syndication — through the term you agreed to.

  7. If the home sells during the listing period, the commission is paid from the closing proceeds based on the terms you signed.

  8. If the home doesn't sell, the agreement ends on its termination date. Any protection-period clause may still apply for a set window afterward for buyers who toured during the listing.

Common questions

Do I have to sign a listing agreement to sell my home in Louisiana?
You only need a listing agreement if you want a licensed broker to market and sell your home for you. You can sell on your own (FSBO) without one. But the moment a broker is involved on your behalf, Louisiana rules require a written agreement.
Can I cancel a listing agreement if I change my mind?
It depends entirely on what your contract says. Some Louisiana listing agreements allow cancellation with written notice, others require mutual agreement with the broker, and some bind you for the full term. Read the cancellation section closely before signing — and ask for it in writing if you want a way out.
What's the difference between exclusive right to sell and exclusive agency?
With exclusive right to sell, the broker earns the commission no matter who finds the buyer — including you. With exclusive agency, you can still sell to a buyer you find on your own without owing commission, but the broker is the only agent who can market the home. Exclusive right to sell is by far the more common option in Louisiana.
Are commissions in Louisiana set by law or by [[NAR]]?
No. Commission rates are negotiable between you and the broker — no Louisiana law or trade association sets the percentage. Whatever rate goes in your listing agreement is what was agreed to between you and that brokerage.
Does the listing agreement have to have an end date?
Yes. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission requires every listing agreement to include a definite termination date. Open-ended or perpetually auto-renewing listings are not allowed and can be reported to the Commission.
If my agent leaves the brokerage, does my listing leave too?
Usually not. Your listing agreement is with the brokerage and its supervising broker, not the individual agent. If your agent moves to a new company, the listing stays at the original brokerage unless everyone agrees in writing to transfer it.
Do I have to pay the buyer's agent's commission as the seller?
Not automatically — especially after the 2024 settlement changes. Whether you offer to cover the buyer's agent fee is now a negotiation you and your broker should address in the listing agreement and again when offers come in. Some sellers offer it upfront to attract buyers; others wait to see if a buyer requests it.

Glossary

2 terms
NAR — National Association of Realtors
The national trade group for real-estate agents. The 2024 NAR settlement is the legal deal that changed how buyer's agents get paid.
MLS — Multiple Listing Service
The shared database agents use to list and find homes for sale. Most homes you'll see online started here.

Sources

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