Opinion ID: 2219648
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Causal Connection Between Realtor's Efforts and Sale

Text: An exclusive listing agreement may bind the seller to pay a commission even though the purchaser was not obtained by the broker, if the property is sold during the period covered by the agreement. American Property Services v. Barringer, 256 N.W.2d 887, 889 (S.D.1977). Weiss urges us to interpret this language to require a causal connection between the broker's efforts and the eventual sale. Mellos v. Silverman, 367 So.2d 1369, 1371 (Ala.1979). The specific language of the listing agreement provides: If during the term hereof, the property is sold by you or me or anyone else; or if you, or me, or any other cooperating broker produce a purchaser ready, willing and able to purchase the property; or within 360 days after the expiration of said period a sale is made to any person to whom the property has been shown by you or me or any other cooperating broker, I agree to pay you a commission of 6% plus applicable sales taxes. Under the explicit terms of this contract, the question of who was the procuring cause of the sale is irrelevant.