What the Real Estate Agency Mandate Is and How It Works

What Is a Real Estate Agency Mandate?

The real estate mandate is a written agreement through which the owner entrusts the agency with the task of promoting, managing, and completing the sale of their property.

From a legal perspective, it is a mediation contract governed by Articles 1754 and following of the Italian Civil Code. It should not be confused with the purchase contract, which regulates the actual transfer of ownership: the mandate concerns exclusively the promotional and intermediary activities carried out by the agency.

Through the mandate, the owner authorizes the agent to operate on their behalf, in compliance with the conditions, procedures, and fees established.

Types of Real Estate Mandates

Before choosing whom to entrust with the sale of your property, it’s important to understand the different types of agreements that regulate the relationship with the agency. Each type of mandate offers different levels of protection, commitment, and strategy, and can significantly influence the final outcome of the sale.

Exclusive Mandate

This is the most structured and professional type of agreement. With an exclusive mandate, the owner entrusts the sale to a single agency, which becomes the sole point of contact for all activities: marketing, property viewings, negotiation management, and documentation review.

The advantages for the seller are substantial:

• dedicated attention and more targeted investment on the specific property;

• consistent communication, without duplicate or contradictory listings published by multiple agencies;

• a single point of contact, simplifying the process and reducing delays and uncertainty;

• more effective property enhancement thanks to a marketing plan developed specifically for that listing.

Non-Exclusive Mandate

In this case, the owner may consult multiple agencies at the same time.

While this might seem advantageous, it often leads to confusion and reduces the perceived value of the property.

The most common issues include:

• duplicated or inconsistent listings, with different photos and descriptions depending on the agency;

• a negative perception among buyers, who may interpret multiple listings as a sign that the property is difficult to sell;

• lack of a shared strategy, with communications and pricing that are not aligned;

lower engagement from agencies, which tend to invest less time and resources in non-exclusive listings.

Key Components of a Real Estate Mandate

A complete and transparent mandate should always include:

• Duration and renewal terms: generally 3 to 6 months, renewable.

• Compensation and commission: payment methods, percentages, and timelines.

• Agency obligations: property promotion, viewings management, client qualification, periodic reports.

• Owner obligations: property access, updated documentation, accuracy of information provided.

Transparency clauses: marketing tools used, activity schedule, data handling, and

Advantages of an Exclusive Mandate for the Seller

Granting an exclusive mandate offers concrete benefits:

• Targeted marketing strategy: the agency can invest more in premium listings, professional photography, videos, virtual tours, and dedicated brochures.

• Controlled communication: no duplicated or conflicting listings that may confuse or discourage potential buyers.

• A single trusted contact: one person coordinating every stage of the sale, avoiding overlaps and wasted time.

• Greater protection of the property’s value: coherent, professional promotion prevents price devaluation.

• More effective and faster negotiations: thanks to centralized management and a clear flow of information.

In other words, an exclusive mandate allows the owner to approach the sale with greater confidence and more predictable results.

Risks of a non-exclusive mandate

 A non-exclusive mandate may seem like a more flexible choice, but it often leads to the opposite of the desired results. Listing the same property across multiple channels, with different photos or descriptions, creates confusion and may signal to buyers that the sale is complicated or struggling. The absence of a unified strategy, combined with competition between agencies, reduces the commitment invested and fragments communication. This can slow negotiations, create misunderstandings between the various intermediaries and, most importantly, lower the perceived value of the property.

How to choose the right agency for your mandate

Entrusting the sale of your home to a professional requires careful evaluation. Among the most important criteria:

• The agency’s reputation and client testimonials.

• Experience in the local market and in the specific segment.

• Network of contacts and the quality of its client portfolio.

• Tools and services offered: marketing, professional photography, document management, consulting during negotiations.

Membership in an international network, which increases visibility and opportunities. Choosing an agency is not just about “handing over the keys”: it concerns your property’s value and the peace of mind throughout the selling process.

Why choose an exclusive mandate with Engel & Völkers

 Choosing an exclusive mandate with Engel & Völkers means relying on a solid, transparent sales model designed to deliver concrete results. The brand, internationally recognized for professionalism and reliability, provides an immediate competitive advantage: its reputation opens the door to a qualified audience and a high-end market.

Thanks to a premium marketing plan, each property is presented with top-quality materials—professional photography, videos, dedicated brochures—and promoted through a global network capable of reaching potential buyers worldwide. This is supported by highly trained consultants who assist the owner at every step, from preparing documentation to managing negotiations.

The entire process is coordinated through a single strategy, tailored to the property’s characteristics and the seller’s goals. This approach ensures consistency, enhances the property’s value and makes the selling journey simpler, safer and more advantageous.

Entrusting an exclusive mandate to Engel & Völkers means choosing a partner that prioritizes quality and protects the value of your property.