A listing agreement is best described as?

A listing agreement is best described as a contract between a property owner and a broker. This contract establishes a formal relationship where the property owner authorizes the broker to act on their behalf in the sale or lease of their property. The agreement outlines key details such as the terms of the listing, the duration of the contract, the responsibilities of both parties, and the commission structure for the broker. It is a legally binding document that protects the interests of both the property owner and the broker, ensuring clarity and professionalism in the process of real estate transactions.

The other options do not accurately capture the nature of a listing agreement. A verbal agreement between friends lacks the formal structure and legal enforceability of a written contract. A lease signed by tenants pertains to rental agreements rather than property sales, while a government document for zoning relates to land use regulations and not the contractual relationship between property owners and brokers in real estate transactions.