What generally makes a listing agreement enforceable under most state laws?

Most states require a listing agreement to be in writing and signed by the property owner to be enforceable, and many require that it include a definite expiration date and clearly state how and how much the broker will be compensated. A listing without a set termination date, or an open-ended one, is prohibited in many states. These requirements protect sellers from indefinite obligations and unclear commission terms. The specific mandatory provisions vary by state, but the general rule — written, signed, definite termination, and defined compensation — is widely shared, and the state portion expects candidates to know these elements of a valid listing.