The duration of the listing agreement depends on:

1. The method selected by the owner
2. The commitment to success they have demonstrated
3. Property type
4. Existing market conditions.

I do not believe all methods, all situations, all property types and all market conditions are best addressed by giving the owner only one option. Unless, of course, the entire marketing plan is a price beat down. Then 180 should be sufficient.

Usually 6 months. Though 3 months in recent times.

Larry Johnston - I'm shocked that anyone would ever sign an agreement with the 15 year people.

Six months, but few take more than a few weeks.

6 months

Normally 3-6 months. I check average days on market in surrounding area so I'll have a good idea how fast homes are going under contract. On land, 1-2 years depending on situation. I never charge a fee for canceling a listing agreement early.

I am not spending money on advertising for less then 6 months. The contract says 180 days and can be terminated with a 30 day notice after that.

Debbie,

Depends on the listing, some of the ultra high end listing can go for 2 years or more.

Minimum 6 months but I usually get a year. Our average DOM for many property types is over 180 days and sellers understand that.

I try for a year but am willing to go down to 6 months.  I rarely agree to anything under 6 months.

6 months

Hi Debbie -- even though we are in a sellers' market and properties are selling quickly, my listing agreements are written for 180 days.  It depends on the seller but that's typical.  

15 Years, Larry Johnston --- that sounds like it needs some additional explanation.   Maybe a post idea!?!

I'm reading the answers and am quite surprised. I typically ask for 90 days and generally sell homes within the first month. I generally don't take over priced listings so don't feel I need extra time.

3 months or shorter. 

Six months, depending on the property.  However, my goal is to sell it way before that time....LOL.

Six months, anything less it had better be underpriced and I add a cancellation fee. 

6 months

Six months.

My brokerage standard is 180 days. 

180 days, no exceptions.  I will also give them an option to cancel the listing by a two week notice if I am not meeting their expections or keeping my promises

I always ask for a minimum of six months.

At least 6 months...never for less!

 We do no less than 6 months...and close more quickly these days....

That depends on the property. I could list mountain property with no house, farm and ranch property, commercial and residential and even a manufactured home on a few acres. There is no set DOM. The listings in my market vary quite a bit. 

Debbie Reynolds I prefer 6 months at least - though I also provide them with EASY EXIT - with justified reasons, of course (and reimburse the cost of marketing till then.)

I usually look at the stats for the price range and location and ask accordingly.

My listing agreement is six months with the intention of using nowhere near that amount of time to get the property sold.

I think it's up to the seller, but 6 months to a year is the normal for me.  I know of one brokerage here that writes up the listing contract for up to 15 years.