Which clause insures that the broker will receive a commission if his client buys the house within a certain time period after the listing agreement has expired?

• A. Contingency Clause
• B. Protection Clause
• C. Termite Clause
• D. Escape Clause

Answer: (B)

Protection periods in listing agreements are designed to ensure a broker earns a commission even after the listing ends if a buyer the broker introduced buys the property within a set time. This clause rewards the broker for the work done to locate a buyer during the listing term and protects that effort from being lost if the sale closes after expiration. The idea is that a sale resulting from the broker’s earlier efforts should still benefit the broker, within the defined post-expiration window.

That’s why this clause fits the scenario: it specifically guarantees commission if the client buys within the agreed time after expiration, so the broker isn’t cut out simply because the listing term ended. It’s not about conditions to close (that’s a contingency), pest inspections (termite clause), or a party’s ability to terminate the agreement (escape clause). Those other clauses serve different purposes and don’t address the broker’s post-expiration compensation.