An open listing is classified as what type of contract?

An open listing is classified as an express unilateral contract. In an express unilateral contract, only one party makes a promise or takes an action, while the other party does not have a reciprocal obligation to fulfill. In the case of an open listing, the seller of the property grants the right to sell to multiple brokers, but only the broker who actually sells the property earns the commission. This means that the seller does not need to pay commission to every broker who lists the property; instead, payment is contingent upon the successful sale by one of the brokers.

The express nature of the contract comes from the clear terms laid out by the seller stating that they are allowing the property to be listed and sold by brokers, but it does not guarantee commission to all involved unless there is a successful sale. This distinguishes it from other types of contracts, such as bilateral contracts, where both parties are obliged to perform certain actions.