When is a listing firm prohibited from contacting a buyer with an unexpired buyer agency agreement?

A listing firm is prohibited from contacting a buyer who has an unexpired buyer agency agreement when it has been notified that the buyer has signed an "exclusive right to negotiate" buyer agency agreement. This type of agreement creates a legal obligation for the firm to respect the buyer's agency relationship, which protects the interests of the buyer as well as the agency representing them.

By notifying the listing firm that there is an existing buyer agency agreement, it establishes a clear understanding that the buyer has representation in their property search. This is critical in real estate, as it helps prevent conflicts of interest and ensures that the buyer receives the full benefits of their agency’s services.

The other scenarios may lead to different circumstances, but they do not create a direct prohibition on contacting the buyer. A verbal agreement may not hold the same legal standing as a written agreement, expressing disinterest does not dissolve the existing agency relationship, and an agreement nearing expiration still generally protects the agency’s exclusive rights until it officially runs out. Therefore, the key point remains that notifications regarding an exclusive agreement dictate the protocols for interactions in the context of buyer representation.