Selling
Exclusive vs open mandate in Morocco: which one sells faster?
Par l'équipe Palm Estates8 min read
Mandate choice is probably the most underestimated decision Moroccan sellers make. Many sign open mandates with 3-4 agencies thinking it maximizes their chances. The opposite happens in 80% of cases.
The three mandate types in Morocco
1. The open mandate (non-exclusive)
Most common — you sign with multiple agencies in parallel. Looks unbeatable on paper: more exposure, more chances?
In practice, no agency invests in pro photography or premium portal campaigns when there's a 75% risk a competitor closes the deal.
2. The exclusive mandate
One agency, typically 3-6 months. In return, the agency commits real resources: pro photos, paid portal placement, active outreach.
Field data shows a properly priced exclusive listing sells 30-50% faster than open mandate.
3. The semi-exclusive mandate
Good compromise: one agency but seller keeps the right to sell directly (to a relative or neighbor) without fees.
Statistical comparison on 100 Casablanca sales in 2025
- Median sale time — exclusive: 3.8 months · open: 6.5 months · no agency: 9+ months
- Final price vs asking — exclusive: 96% · open: 91% · no agency: 87%
- Visits per property — exclusive: 18 · open: 11 (but more curiosity visits)
- Fees paid — exclusive: 2.5% pre-tax · open: 2.5% pre-tax (same)
Exclusive mandates cost the same as open ones but produce very different results: less stress, prices closer to market, fewer wasted visits.
How to pick the agency before signing an exclusive
Exclusive mandates only make sense with a serious agency. Questions to ask:
- How many similar properties have you sold in the last 12 months?
- What's your paid portal strategy? Can you show a sample listing?
- How many qualified buyers do you currently have searching in my neighborhood?
- Will you share weekly diffusion stats?
- What's your exit clause?
An agency without precise answers doesn't deserve an exclusive. Go open or find another.
The MRE case
For MRE selling remotely, exclusive mandates make even more sense. The agency becomes your local extension.
When an open mandate still makes sense
If your property is standard, highly sought-after, in a hyper-liquid neighborhood, and properly priced, an open mandate may suffice — it'll sell in 3-4 months anyway.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does an exclusive mandate last?
- Typically 3-6 months, automatically renewed unless you cancel by registered letter.
- What are agency fees in Morocco?
- Standard: 2.5% pre-tax on seller side. Some agencies charge 5% shared between seller and buyer. All rates are negotiable.
- What if I find the buyer myself during an exclusive mandate?
- Under a strict exclusive, you owe full fees even if the buyer comes from your network. Semi-exclusive avoids this.
- Can I exit an exclusive mandate before the end?
- Yes, usually with 30-day notice and a documented agency failure. Negotiate an automatic exit clause.
- Does exclusivity protect me from the 'fee race'?
- Yes — that's its main advantage. In open mandates, multiple agencies race to close fast and accept low offers.
Sources et méthodologie
Les médians de prix et statistiques quartier cités dans cet article sont calculés à partir de notre base de 38 000+ annonces actives agrégées en continu sur les principales plateformes marocaines (Yakeey, Sarouty). Les chiffres officiels viennent du Référentiel des prix de l'immobilier 2017 publié par la Direction Générale des Impôts. Mis à jour quotidiennement.
Article publié le — Par l'équipe Palm Estates, 357 mots.
Also worth reading
