In what scenario might a broker's commission not be earned?

A broker's commission is typically earned when a sale is successfully completed, meaning that a legally binding contract is executed between the buyer and seller and all terms of that contract are satisfied. In the scenario where the buyer decides not to proceed with the purchase, this directly impacts the successful completion of the sale. Since the buyer's decision not to move forward means that the sale will not occur, the broker does not earn a commission in this instance.

In contrast, the other scenarios proposed can have different implications. When a seller withdraws the listing, it can be a valid reason for a broker to earn a commission if the broker fulfilled their obligations or if there were agreements made regarding the commission upon withdrawal. Similarly, not selling the property within a specific timeframe does not inherently prevent a commission from being earned; it depends on the circumstances surrounding the listings and agreements in place. Lastly, the requirement for alternative financing impacts the transaction but does not solely determine the commission earned by the broker. Therefore, the buyer's choice to withdraw from the agreement is the clearest scenario in which a broker does not earn a commission.