Nattalie, you ask great questions. I want you to repeat after me:

"I'm terribly sorry, but my time, energy AND TALENT is expended on EXCLUSIVE listings only. I wish you well and if you would like to sell your house, let me know."

If you can do a hair flip at the end, that is optimal. (Kidding on the last part)

Seriously . . . no agent in their right mind would take that pig in a poke.

Nattalie Cornwall  Start the way you wish to finish!  If you're going to "work your butt off" do it with someone who will value your butt

An open listing is not a true listing and you deserve better.  Go find better!

I would never take an open listing.  Or even an exclusive agency listing.  If they won't sign a real listing agreement, I won't work with them.

Trouble with an open listing is that you spend money and may not get a dime if he gets the buyer.  I would be really careful with this.

Nattalie. instead of working your butt off for one open listing your response should focus on all of the FSBO's in your market area and find a couple of them that WILL want your expertise exclusively. 

An Open Listing is nothing.  All he is doing is giving you permission to sell his house.  It is giving you permission to spend your time and money to sell his house... while other people do the same.  If he can't commit to you, move on.  Just my humble opinion.  

Tell him thank you but that is not how you want to work nor is it in his best interest for him to hire you under this arrangement. Tell while you would appreciate his business you must spend time with people who are willing to work with you on an "Exclusive Basis" and if he is ready to hire you as his "Exclusive " agent then you are prepared to "Wow" him.

Great answers and question. 

Say thank you and walk away.

Good for you for having the guts to get out there and work it!  I'd run from this situation.  Your time and efforts are more valuable than this.  Best of luck!  

Respectfully explain to him that you do not take open listings but will be glad to help him with any questions he may have. You may want to explain that advertising his home, phone number etc. could open the door and his family, to people who have bad intentions.    As time goes by keep in touch with him and send him market reports, staging hints etc.. If his home doesn't sell he may , hopefully, call you to discuss listing his home. Short advise to you is don't take the open listing. Even if you do get a buyer you will end up doing all the paperwork, handling all the problems etc. etc..etc.. Hang in you will get a listing.

Don't kid yourself.

Go work your butt off to get a real seller.

Eve

I don't have the time or resources to invest in a selling a house without a commitment from the seller. 

Especially since you have no other listings, this is a horrible waste of energy. Use your time and talent to secure real listings instead!

My response would be: "You do want your house listed in mls don't you" "Well our mls rules will not allow open listings."

Do yourself a favor and use your energy to get a real listing with a signed listing contract.  What are you doing to market yourself or look for listings? Are you working with any buyers? Is your Broker or office helping you at all? I wish you all the best and hope you get your first listing SOON!

Nattalie - I would probably say don't waste your time with an open listing. It is better, like other agents have said, to do other things that can earn you a real client.

The Real Estate Commission of Ga do not allow Open Listing any longer.

If you are really desperate for a half a client then this may be an option, but your time would be better spent marketing to a better client and only accept this person if he agrees to sign an exclusive agreement and do what it takes to allow you to sell his property.

Bye Bye.....sit open houses for everyone in your office daily.  Never buy leads and never compromise your commission rate.

Nattalie Cornwall Next!! If you do agree, make sure you have the FSBO sign a One Time Showing Agreement before you bring a potential buyer. Also make sure it includes the client's name and your fee.

You need to first, make sure that your brokerage allow open listings. Many of the big box companies won't allow them.  I would caution you however about putting a lot of effort into selling it. Realistically, an open listing is the same as no lisitng. As soon as it's on the MLS, thousands of people other than you will have access to it.