Final answer:
A special circumstance that may require prior approval from a third party before a listing agreement can go into effect is when the property is located in a historic district. In other scenarios, such as selling the property as a short sale or foreclosure, no third-party approval is typically required before the listing agreement can go into effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
A special circumstance that may require prior approval from a third party before a listing agreement can go into effect is when the property is located in a historic district. Historic districts often have specific regulations and guidelines that need to be followed when selling a property. These regulations may require additional approvals or permits before the listing agreement can be finalized.
In the other scenarios mentioned in the question, such as selling the property as a short sale or foreclosure, no third-party approval is typically required before the listing agreement can go into effect. However, there may be different approval processes involved in these transactions, such as approval from the mortgage lender or the court in the case of a foreclosure.
For example, in a short sale, the seller's mortgage lender needs to approve the sale as the proceeds may not cover the full amount owed on the mortgage. In a foreclosure, the court may need to approve the sale to ensure it is fair and legal.