What happens to an exclusive agency listing commission if the seller sells directly?

In an exclusive agency listing agreement, the seller retains the right to sell the property on their own without paying a commission to the listing agent if they find a buyer. This is a key characteristic of an exclusive agency agreement, distinguishing it from an exclusive right-to-sell agreement, where the agent is guaranteed a commission regardless of who finds the buyer. Therefore, if the seller successfully sells the property directly, they are not obligated to pay any commission to the agent. This structure is intended to provide sellers more flexibility while still utilizing the agent's services to market their property.