A broker has brought a ready, willing, and able buyer to a seller. In MOST listing contracts, when has the broker earned their commission?

In most listing contracts, a broker earns their commission when the seller accepts the offer from a ready, willing, and able buyer. This acceptance indicates that the seller has agreed to the terms proposed in the buyer's offer, which fulfills a crucial condition of the broker's role. The broker's primary duty is to facilitate the transaction, and commission is typically tied to the successful negotiation and acceptance of an offer.

While listing a property establishes the broker's authority and lays the groundwork for future transactions, commission is not earned until an offer is accepted. Additionally, the process of closing the sale, although it finalizes the transaction, is not the point at which the broker's commission is considered earned. Similarly, simply making an offer does not trigger the commission obligation for the broker, as it requires seller acceptance to validate the broker’s role in the agreement.