How Long Should I Sign A Listing Agreement For? How About 3 Years.

That seems excessive, and not knowing all the details I'd say what is up with the seller?  They seem a little naive, no??  I'm glad to read that you will be representing them.  They need you.

If the property is priced to sell, 90 days should be sufficient, however, the property must be ready to sell. Sometimes the sellers must remain on premises for a few months, so based upon the circumstances 180 days may be more appropriate, so, it depends on the circumstances, doesn't it ? 

Of course it depends upon the market and the circumstances, but I agree - three years is way too long! 

I would really love to know how many markets are really "hot" and how many are sluggish right now. How many have gotten back to some kind of normal? 

When the market is in balance with about 6 months worth of inventory, what's a "normal" time frame for selling a house? 

Where I am in N. Idaho we always had an abundance of inventory, so I have no normal to look back on for that answer. 

The length of the agreement definitely depends on the local market and the property.  Six months is a long time in our sellers' market.

Most in our area are about 3-4 months. I do 4 months just so it doesn't have to be extended if we go under contract. 2-3 years (unless commercial) doesn't say a whole lot for the broker/agent. It also depends on the size of the property. Some large residentials on a large piece of land are also an exception to a longer listing agreement.

WOW - I have never heard of a 3 year listing agreement!  Here in Florida 1 year listings are common and so are 6 month listings.  

Your title made me laugh so I clicked on your post. Thought you were kidding about the 3 year listing. What were those sellers thinking?

It does depend on the market, price of home, etc, but 3-6 month listing should be minimum and I would say 1 year maximum.

Hope you retained some of those sellers as clients.

One thing is for certain about listing agreements...the length of the agreement is not an indicator of the seller motivation.

I am not sure their logic of listing a property for 3 years...but I will say that I have had farm properties take over two crop seasons (re...two years) to sell.

Having said that...my most recent listing is from this month to Feb 28, 2017.  So just over 6 months.   After that it is time to start farming! We can extend or re-list or move on at that time.

Well you got me!  Your title intrigued me and so I decided to read your blog.  A 3 year contract?  That's crazy.  In our area, we usually do 6 month contracts.  Depending upon what the market is doing we may do a listing for 4-5 months but very rare to do 3 months or less.  I usually feel if we have not gotten it sold in the time we had the listing it's either time for the seller to regroup, declutter, or reduce the price and then wait a few months to clear the market and then try again after a 90 day break.  Start new and get it SOLD!  But 3 years?  That surely could not have been in the Seller's best interest.  Ouch!

I've never heard of a three year listing agreement for a less expensive home!!  Those sellers really need to rethink that! Plus why would the agent even recommend that?

After six months with no juice it's time for THE AGENT to move on.

A few years ago I listed a property. It was a short sale. The seller had previously listed for 18 months with another broker WAY over market value. The seller wanted out but the broker required a $1000 cancelation fee so he stuck it out until it expired. The seller had negative equity but his prior broker had never mentioned short sale (the seller called me and asked about short sales after a co-worker told him about them) he just listed it way too high.

I guess that's a business strategy. List for a long period, do a lousy job and require a high fee to cancel.

Three years!?  That's ridonkulous!

Even a year for a regular type home seems extreme. We do 6 months here in Clarksville and I get push back on that. Good post, Greg.

Wow!  3 years in that price range is kinda silly. I'd say 6 months tops for that one.  I typically write a 6 month listing agreement, but a higher priced home would be longer, depending.  

Greg - 3 Years is pretty hard to believe.  Our standard here is between 6 months and 9 months.  When I am asked if I will take a 30 day listing I say I will........as long as we put a 30 day price on it.

I've seen a lot of six month contracts, but have never seen one for three years!

Okay I might have to blog about that myself.

LOL  Just seeing this, Greg Nino - another great post from you!  I can't IMAGINE handcuffing someone to a 3-year term - just WOW!