Upon what basis can agency agreements typically be terminated?

Agency agreements can be terminated on several bases, each of which is valid and commonly understood in real estate practice.

Mutual agreement allows both parties involved in the agency relationship to come to a consensual decision to end the agreement, which can occur at any time if both parties agree to do so. This is a straightforward option that respects the autonomy of both agents and clients.

Expiration refers to the conclusion of the agency agreement period that was initially established. Many agency agreements, such as listing agreements or buyer representation agreements, are created for a defined term, after which they naturally terminate unless renewed.

The death of the agent is another critical factor. Generally, if the agent passes away, their authority to act on behalf of the client ceases automatically, leading to the termination of the agency relationship. This is based on the premise that the personal capabilities and responsibilities inherent to an agency generally cannot be transferred or carried on by another party upon the agent's death.

Since all these factors represent legitimate and recognized ways to terminate an agency agreement, it is accurate to conclude that any of them can lead to the end of the relationship, supporting the assertion that all of the above options are valid grounds for termination.