A “one-time show” is similar to an open listing in many respects, as it is most often used by real estate agents who are showing a FSBO (for sale by owner) to one of their clients. The home seller signs the agreement, which identifies the potential buyer and guarantees the agent a commission should that buyer purchase the home. This prevents the buyer and seller from negotiating directly later and trying to avoid paying the agent’s commission.
As with an open listing, agents will not be spending money on marketing your home and it will not be placed in the Multiple Listing System.
A seller that is selling their home themselves (for-sale-by-owner) usually allows agents to do one-time showings, open houses or even a listing agreement with a COL. They may say something like “Well, as you are an agent, I would need your broker to give you a presigned form COL, only the broker can cancel an exclusive listing, at least that is my understanding, but I am not a professional, (at least this seller admits it) let me know if I am wrong on this. And, what a vote of confidence that would be, having to request a presigned form COL right at the time signing listing contract! But, just tell your broker that I have been shafted from the last 3 agents I signed with, and after the last one, heck, after the second one, I swore I would NEVER, EVER sign another EXCLUSIVE listing again! But, I guess I am blacklisted, as the only people I have shown the home to have been looky’s,a looky, in my opinion, is someone who may be financially qualified, but has absolutely no real intention of buying your home, their sole intention is to waste your time and lower your spirits about showing the home, which I absolutely hate, by the way. So, in case you forgot, besides the listing requirements I just outlined, the home is open to open houses on the weekends, and if you can convince me you have a valid and qualified prospect, who is not only financially qualified but has been shown other like properties in the area, then maybe I will allow a show in the midweek. My experience has been almost no real qualified buyers, or, like I have said, I am being blacklisted, because the only maybe real offer(s) have been low-ballers, and if I had signed, I doubt they would have even closed escrow.”
With a little coaching from a professional a frustrated seller can be helped.