What Happens to My Listings When I Switch Brokerages?
If you decide to switch brokerages, what actually happens to your active listings?
This is one of those questions most agents don’t think about when everything is going well. You’re busy, deals are moving, and changing brokerages feels like a “future problem.”
Until it’s not.
When it finally is time to make a change, this question suddenly feels very real—and very scary. For a lot of agents, the fear of losing listings or income is the exact reason they stay where they are, even when they know it’s not the right fit anymore.
So let’s walk through this clearly and honestly.
The First (and Most Important) Step: Read Your Agreements
Before anyone can give you a straight answer, there are two documents you have to review:
Your independent contractor agreement with your brokerage
Your listing agreement with your seller
Those two documents determine everything.
And if you haven’t read them recently—or ever—you’re not alone. But this is the moment where the details matter.
How This Works in Florida
I can’t speak for every state, because laws and practices vary. But in Florida, the general rule is this:
👉 The listing belongs to the brokerage, not the agent.
That means when you switch brokerages, you typically cannot just take the listing with you by default.
Now, what happens next depends entirely on what you signed and how your current brokerage handles transitions.
Common Scenarios When an Agent Switches Brokerages
Here’s what usually happens in the real world.
1. The Brokerage Allows You to Take the Listing (With Conditions)
Some brokerages understand that you have the relationship with the seller. They know that forcing a listing to stay behind can create frustration for everyone involved—especially the client.
In these cases, the brokerage may allow you to take the listing with you, but:
They may require a referral fee
Or a split paid back to the original brokerage
This allows the seller to continue working with you while honoring the brokerage’s rights.
2. The Listing Is Cancelled or Expires, Then Re-Listed
Some brokerages will require the listing to:
Be cancelled, or
Expire naturally
After that, you would:
Move to your new brokerage
Execute brand-new listing paperwork
Have a very open conversation with your seller about why the change is happening
This also means:
Days on market may reset
MLS history may change
Seller communication becomes critical
3. The Listing Is Simply Reassigned in MLS
In some cases, the brokerage may allow the listing to be reassigned internally in MLS.
This is the cleanest option:
Days on market stay intact
The listing doesn’t appear to “restart”
The seller experiences minimal disruption
But again—this only happens if your agreement allows it.
Why There’s No Universal Answer
Here’s the honest truth:
There is no universal answer to the question, “What happens to my listings when I switch brokerages?”
The answer is always:
What does your independent contractor agreement say?
What does your listing agreement say?
That’s it.
No one can answer this question accurately without reading those documents.
A Question You Should Always Ask When Interviewing Brokerages
This is not just a “what if” question. This is a must-ask question when you’re interviewing brokerages.
Ask:
What happens to my listings if I leave?
Is it in writing?
Can I see that policy in my agreement?
And remember this rule:
👉 If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist.
Don’t rely on verbal promises. Don’t assume. And don’t wait until you’re emotionally invested in making a change to find out the hard way.
Final Takeaway
Switching brokerages doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose your listings—but it can if you don’t understand what you’ve signed.
Read your agreements.
Ask the uncomfortable questions.
Get clarity before you need it.
That preparation alone can give you options instead of panic when it’s time to make a move.
Let’s Talk
If you’re considering a brokerage change, or you just want to understand your options before you ever get to that point, we’re happy to have that conversation.
CrossView Realty
📞 904-503-0672
📧 info@crossviewrealty.com
No pressure. Just honest answers and transparency. Hope this helps.
