Who does an "exclusive" listing or off market listing benefit?

If you are on social media, read the news or are in any way plugged into real estate, I am sure you have gotten wind of another "controversy" in the real estate space.  We cant seem to get out of our own way and the potential for lawsuits is ripe.

If you are a buyer in the last 4-5 years you have been banged around trying to find a home.  You have likely lost more than a few homes, bid way above full price, gotten you hopes up and been disappointed over and over and over again.  The struggle is real.

If you are a seller, you have been on the right side of the transaction in recent years and likely gotten way more then you ever dreamed for your home.  

Maybe you hired an agent who you worked with in the past or maybe your chose to work with someone you met recently and felt was a great fit to rep you in the sale of your home.  I am sure during the process of signing a listing agreement you were overwhelmed at the volume of documents that were presented to you.  We now have about 8 disclosure and 1 agreement that gives us permission to go to work for you.

In recent weeks there has been much conversation about "exclusive" or "off market" listings and depending on what side of the transaction your are on, your opinions may differ.  The question of the day is "who benefits from an off market listing?  Under what circumstances does a seller get the most activity, the best possible price?  Who is the agent representing and how does the buyer benefit when buying an "off market exclusive". Lastly, if you are considering a sale and this comes up as an option, please, please ask questions and get clarity.  I am not against "off market exclusives" and there is definitly a time and place when that is the best option.  Know what that looks like and how it may or may not be a benefit to you the client.

I would love to here your input, questions and opinions.