Real estate is all about negotiations.  As far as "shoulds" there are none but the answer about length should include a disussion on a number of factors including the requirements of the seller/brokerage and market conditions.

1. The Price Decides.
2. The market decides (DOM stats).
3. I decide and get or negotiate for the seller's approval.

Negotiable.  Allow yourself more than enough time, even in a hot market.

I typically list for 6 months as most of our homes sell pretty quickly, some within days. But it really depends on what the market is doing.  A hot market 3 months might be just fine. And if the home is on the mid to high end it takes a lot more $$$ to market etc so I won't even consider a 3 month listing for this type of listing as they do take longer to sell on average in my market.

The length of time a home is on the market is ultimately the sellers decision. However, a listing agreement between a seller and an agent marketing it is determined when the listing agreement contract is signed by both parties and has a beginning and ending date.  The agent has the right to not take a listing if the seller doesn't want to list for the period of time the agent requires the listing agreement to be for.

The Contract is between both the seller and the brokerage - so, both parties have to agree upon the length of the listing.

Every listing is a project with a unique set of circumstances. Some listings, you're pretty sure you can get it done in a few months; some might take a year or longer. It depends on average DOM, challenges specific to the property or the seller's circumstances and a host of other things.

It is a matter of negotiation between the seller and the agent. Most agents ask for at least 6 months.

It's negotiated between broker and seller.

The agency can have policies but sometimes you have to negotiate and compromise with the seller or pass on the listing. I typically take a 4-6 month listing depending on the saleability of the listing.

It is a mutual agreement between the seller and the listing brokerage.

It depends on the state and your area..it is negotiable..I usually ask for a 90 day listing as our market moves quickly and is a seller's market. If it wee a buyers market I'd ask for a 6 month listing.

As with most things in real estate its negotiable I would not take a listing that didn't give me fair market time to get it sold however and that will vary

I enjoyed reading all your comments on this question. They were insightfull. Some years ago, I sold my rental properties. I listed them with the same agent I had used to buy them. All were sold within 3 months.  If I had timed it better and sold them 6 years later, just before the market started crashing, I would have made out better. But, hindsight is 20/20.

I try to get the seller to sign for 6 months but it all depends on several factors. One is your market for example. Average lenght right now is 3 months.

I usually list for 6 months.  That's about the normal in our area.

The high majority of my listings are for a minimum of 1 year with few exceptions.  I try to avoid "shoulds" as Michael Jacobs mentioned.

our listings are always 4 months minimally... if it's an atypical home, it would be 6 months....

Mutual if you want the listing.

I think at Michael Jacobs has the answer.  Market conditions are a huge factor in decision making.  In luxury some of the listings are singed for 12 months or more.  A

HOMEiZ.COM HOMEiZGROUP The length of a listing is usually dependent on the current market. It is ultimately the seller's decision.

The seller decides the length of time and the agent decides what will be done given that restriction!

This is no one size fits all answer.

Follow the practices in your local market. The seller makes the final decision.

In the end the seller decides how long they want to or will list for. Most often i ask for 6 months and most often i can sell them in 6 days

It's the sellers decision.  The time period should depend on the local market.

Debe Maxwell has your answer.

Michael Jacobs is right. The only absolute is don't take over priced properties because you can't help the seller. Tie up resources of time and money and wait to be the second agent but tell them what the market value is and why and if they still want double or triple and start shouting about no wanting to give it away... you can not help them. Thank them, wish them luck and go work on listings that do lead to sales.

It's always the Seller's decision...

HOMEiZ.COM HOMEiZGROUP - usually the listing agent prefers the longest term (forever?) and the seller wants it only for a few days!

There is an industry standard compromise at 6 months in most cases.

A mutual decision.  and every area will be different as to how long it will take to sell.

It's the seller's decision but I hope you are educating them on the pros and cons of length.

You have to negotiate it. I usually ask for 6 months and 12 month for a short sale. 

Both to some degree.

In our area 6 month listing are the average.

It's up for negotiation, but ultimately, it's the seller's decision.

It's negotiable and may vary from market to market. In our seller's market I look for 90 days, but in a slower market would ask for 6 months

It can negotiate either way.. depends on the listing...

This is the seller's decision since we work for them and the home belongs to them.

Our Board requires a minimum of 60 days to be posted on MLS, no requirement for Exclusive listing.  However, showings can be suspended, but I think it is entirely up to the Seller how long they want their home listed... It's their home..

I don't know about this aspect of real estate but you do have some answers hope they help

In my area it really depends on the price point.  Homes over $1.2mill take longer.  Homes under that fly (if in good condition and staged).  One way I have learned to curb a seller's strategy to list the home too high and leave it sitting a for long time (which makes us unhappy and them unhappy with us) is to spell out in the listing agreement that after a certain time period (say 2 weeks if way too high), they agree to lower the price to x. And then spell out that another reduction is to occur at week x if still not sold. This sets their expectations and saves the angst (for them and you) of having that conversation later.  Just an idea!

In our case, our homes are Listed until they sell.  Many factors influence how quickly that might happen in our niche HOMEiZ.COM HOMEiZGROUP.  We work in an age-restricted community, and alot of our clients are or were snowbirds.  If a home is updated and has an awesome view, it will sell quickly.  If it needs alot of work because there is deferred maintenance, and it does not have a mountain view, it may sell over months, as opposed to over weeks.  We originally set the Listing Days, which can be renewed if both parties agree.  The Seller is always part of the discussions at that point. 

It is a negotiation between Seller and Listing agent.

My average is 1-2 weeks.  Oh, thought you were asking how long they're listed before they're sold.

In my market, if they're priced right we have such low inventory that they'll go inside of 2 weeks.

The length of the contract has no default mandated length, however each office may have their own guidelines.  Market conditions also dictate length too.

I don't list for less than. 6 months and shoot for a one year listing agreement.

Agents cannot - should not - act unilaterally.  Sellers must agree to the term of the listing agreement. 

Unless I sell it within 30 days (which is always my goal and more often than not is ), it's up to the seller

I want at least 3 months and if a seller wants less I may not take it.

It's a mutual decision, but as a listing agent I would not accept a listing shorter than 6 months. That decision is partly driven by the state of the market. During the recession, we were taking 1-year listings.

depends on local trends and if the listing is priced right --6 months

I take all mine for 120 days

It depends on the plan to which the seller subscribes.

For example, if the seller NEEDS to sell, and this is demonstrated by providing empowerment resources to the agent, a 30 day listing is all that is needed.

If its investor grade property, 7 days will do.

However, for the AGENT to benefit most, longer is better. As a result the agent possess a full dog and pony show explaining why they impose a minimal listing period. IT is ALWAYS the sellers decision and the seller should be willing the tell the ivory tower agents, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"

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