So, what’s the difference between withdrawn and cancelled in the MLS?  This is a question that staff receives frequently.

• Withdrawn:  Your seller has elected to stop marketing their property through the MLS but the Exclusive Right to Sell contract is still in force.  This is the key!  The listing brokerage retains the exclusive right to sell that property during the term of the contract and their exclusive agency relationship remains intact.  This means competing brokerages, brokers and their associates, cannot interfere in that relationship.  In other words, if you see something come through on the MLS as withdrawn, do not call the seller!

We have an option on the Modification to the Exclusive Right to Sell Contract to withdraw a listing, and all parties must sign it.  A withdrawn listing will show as expired in the MLS system if it is not activated and renewed prior to the expiration of the contract.

• Cancelled:  The seller and the broker have terminated their exclusive right to sell contract and they no longer have an agency relationship.

Because your original Exclusive Right to Sell contract is a dual-party document, all parties to the contract must agree to cancel it.  We do NOT have a form that makes cancelling a listing ‘easy’.  However, the additional terms on the Modification to the Exclusive Right to Sell contract can be used, and all parties must sign it.  A cancelled listing is over and done with.  It will not show up as expired in the future.

We’re happy to answer further questions on these two statuses in the MLS.