As used in this article, the following terms have the meanings stated in this section:
(a)
“Property” means real property or a mobilehome, as defined in Section 18008 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b)
“Sell” and “sale” include lease and exchange.
(c)
“Buyer” includes a lessee in case of a lease and the party with whom property is exchanged in case of an exchange.
(d)
An “agent” is one authorized by law to act in that capacity for that type of property, and is licensed as a real estate broker under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10130) of Part 1 of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code or is a licensee, as defined in Section 18006 of the Health and Safety Code.
(e)
An “appraiser” is one licensed or certified under Part 3 (commencing with Section 11300) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
(f)
A “listing” is a written contract between an owner of property and an agent by which the agent has been authorized to sell the property or to find or obtain a buyer.
A listing may be any of the following:
(1)
An “exclusive right to sell listing” is a listing whereby the owner grants to an agent, for a specified period of time, the exclusive right to sell or to find or obtain a buyer for the property, and the agent is entitled to the agreed compensation if during that period of time the property is sold, no matter who effected the sale, or the listing agent receives and presents to the owner any enforceable offer from a ready, able, and willing buyer on terms authorized by the listing or accepted by the owner. The exclusive right to sell listing may provide for compensation of the listing agent if the property is sold within a specified period after termination of the listing to anyone with whom the agent has had negotiations before that termination.
(2)
An “exclusive agency listing” is the same as an “exclusive right to sell listing,” except that the owner reserves the right to sell directly but not through any other agent and, in that event, without obligation to pay compensation to the agent.
(3)
An “open listing” is a listing which grants no exclusive rights or priorities to the listing agent, and a commission is payable to the agent only if the agent procures and presents to the owner an enforceable offer from a ready, able, and willing buyer on the terms authorized by the listing or accepted by the owner, before the property is otherwise sold either through another agent or by the owner directly and before the listing expires by its terms or is revoked.
(g)
A “listing agent” is one who has obtained a listing of property of the kind in respect of which he or she is authorized by law to act as an agent for compensation.
(h)
A “selling agent” is an agent participant in a multiple listing service who acts in cooperation with a listing agent and who sells, or finds and obtains a buyer for, the property.
(i)
“Sold” includes leased and exchanged. A property is sold when a legally binding commitment to sell the property comes into existence.