What happens to an agency if the listing salesperson dies?

When a listing salesperson dies, the agency generally remains in effect. This is because the agency agreement is typically with the brokerage rather than solely with the individual salesperson. Unless the agreement specifically states otherwise, the terms remain valid, and the brokerage can continue to fulfill its obligations under the contract. The agency can delegate responsibilities to another licensed agent within the same brokerage to ensure that the property can still be marketed and sold without interruption. This continuity helps to protect the interests of the client and maintain the momentum of the sale process.

The other options do not accurately reflect how agency agreements work in most circumstances. For example, automatically terminating the agreement upon the salesperson's death would disrupt ongoing transactions and may not be in the best interests of the seller. While transferring the listing to another salesperson could be a possible action taken by the brokerage, it is not a necessity if the agency agreement does not stipulate this action. Ultimately, the intent is to keep the agency valid and functional even in the event of unforeseen circumstances affecting individual agents.