Contrato de Exclusividad (Exclusive Listing Agreement)kohn-TRAH-toh deh ex-kloo-see-vee-DAHD
A contract giving one real estate agent or brokerage the sole right to market and sell a property for a specified period, typically earning the commission regardless of who finds the buyer. In Mexico, these agreements are structured as mandato contracts under the Federal Civil Code and commonly run three to six months.
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 9 November 2026
How it works
Contrato de exclusividad in Mexico refers to exclusive listing agreements where typically 3 to 6 percent commission rates apply as of November 2026. When an owner signs a contrato de exclusividad in Mexico, the designated agent becomes the only intermediary authorized to promote the property during the contract term. The owner agrees not to list with other agents or sell independently without owing the agreed commission. Typical exclusivity periods range from 90 to 180 days, with six months being most common across the Riviera Maya and Quintana Roo. In exchange for exclusivity, agents typically charge 3 to 5 percent plus 16 percent IVA for independent agents, or 5 to 6 percent for established brokerages. The contract is formalized as a private agreement and regulated under Federal Civil Code mandato provisions (Articles 2546 and following) and PROFECO adhesion contract rules. Key elements include property description, listing price, duration, commission rate, marketing obligations, and termination conditions. Some contracts include a protection period after expiration, requiring commission payment if the property sells to a buyer the agent introduced. Foreign sellers in Quintana Roo benefit from focused marketing and professional guidance, though they sacrifice flexibility to list with multiple agents or sell directly during the term.