Protection periods
Answers to real estate questions as appearing
in the Houston Chronicle
By george stephens, CRB, AND Charles J. "Chuck" Jacobus, JD
Dear George: The listing contract with my REALTOR® expires this week. How long am I obligated to him after the contract expires?
Answer: Look in Section 5 of your listing contract, the Residential Real Estate Listing Agreement, Exclusive Right to Sell. You'll see an entry under Broker's Fee called Protection Period. The days entered in the blank (Item 1) specify the number of days that you're obligated to your REALTOR®. Items 2 and 3 contain exceptions to the number of days comprising the protection period. If the blank doesn't contain a number, you're no longer committed to the REALTOR® once your contract expires.
E-mail your question to "Ask George & Chuck" or fax it to 281/596-7591. The answers to questions in this column do not contain legal advice. If you wish to obtain legal advice, you should consult your own attorney.
George Stephens, CRB, is the broker of ERA Stephens Properties. He is licensed as a mortgage broker in Texas and a real estate broker in Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts.
Charles J. Jacobus, JD, is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Residential and Commercial Real Estate Law, and the author of Texas Real Estate Law and Texas Real Estate, both published by Thomson Publishing. He also teaches at Champions School of Real Estate and Houston Community College, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.
George and Chuck are co-authors of Texas
Real Estate Brokerage and Law of Agency published by Thomson Publishing.
