Spring is here, and the median home price in California has climbed to $861,500! Yet, homes are typically spending almost 42 days on the market. But thanks to the golden coastline and booming job market, demand for homes in California is sky-high.
So get in on the action now to make the most out of your California home sale! Selling your house in the Golden State now can be smoother than a sunset cruise past Malibu’s cliffs.
7 Steps to Selling a House in California
Selling a home can be tricky if you are a first-time home seller. There are challenges at every step, from initial valuation to final negotiation. To make the process of selling a house seamless, just follow these steps:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
First impressions matter—especially when you sell a home in California’s competitive market with ocean views and hillside estates. So, focus on curb appeal to make your home look more presentable. Here are 3 tips to make homes for sale in California stand out:
- Redo the Landscaping: Spruce up your yard with drought-friendly natives like lavender, succulents, and California poppies. Remember to keep everything neatly trimmed!
- Repaint the House: Choose colors that channel Cali’s laid-back charm. Think warm terracotta, coastal gray, or sunny white to echo the region’s beach towns and Mediterranean style.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Stage patios, decks, or courtyards with chic furniture and greenery. Californians love seamless indoor-outdoor living, so make these spaces shine.
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A well-staged home can shine like the California sun and attract buyers like surfers to a perfect wave. While traditional home staging is always an option, you can try virtual home staging to stage your home digitally and speed up your home selling process.
Follow these tips to stage your home:
- Declutter and Clean the House: The cleaner your home looks, the better. Empty out the garage, clean the roof, and pressure-wash the driveway to achieve this look.
- Showcase Practical Features: Homebuyers prioritize safety and sustainability. So, highlight any wildfire-resistant materials, seismic retrofitting, or energy-efficient appliances.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: If your home has large windows, natural light, or open layouts, showcase them in your staging. Use sheer curtains, mirrors, and minimalist décor to emphasize California’s sun-soaked vibe and breezy lifestyle.
- Include a Home Tour Video: Home listings with videos get 403% more views than those without it. So, make a video that shows your property in the best light!
Step 3: Decide How to List Your House
If you’re wondering how to list your house on the MLS in California, you have multiple options! Here are 3 choices most sellers go for:
- Full-Service Realtors – Up to 6%: These Realtors provide various services from list to close, but charge a hefty 5% to 6% real estate commission in California.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can opt to list on MLS in California for a flat fee. With Houzeo, your home can be on the MLS for just $249. It will also appear on California’s top FSBO sites.
- Discount Real Estate Brokers: These brokers charge a lower fee than traditional agents and offer services like contract reviews and negotiation assistance. Discount real estate brokers in California charge between 0.5% and 2% as commission.
- Cash Buyers: They help you sell your home fast for cash. With cash buyers, you can get competitive all-cash offers and close on your terms.
Step 4: Price Your Home Competitively
Inaccurate pricing forces properties to stay longer on the market. In fact, in Jan 2025, 20.4% of California homes sold with price drops. So, it’s important to understand market trends to know how to price your home. Here’s how to avoid overpricing your property:
- Check Local Housing Market Trends: If you overprice your home, it can sit on the market for longer than a Coachella set change. Review the latest trends of California home prices to set a competitive listing price that aligns with the market conditions.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools: Use a free home value estimator to calculate your home’s Fair Market Value (FMV). Price your home slightly above your its FMV to attract buyers and have a profitable home sale.
- Get a CMA: If you choose a traditional sale, your agent creates a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). The CMA compares your home to similar nearby ones to determine your home’s value. It helps you set the right price.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Manage Offers
Once your home listing is active on your local MLS in California, buyers and agents will visit it and make offers. Here’s what to do next:
- Actively Manage Showings: Always accept and confirm showing requests quickly to make a good impression. Never cancel last minute, and if a clash happens, communicate clearly and promptly.
- Host an Open House:No matter how luxuriously staged your home is, it can still get lost like a Prius in 405 traffic. So, consult your agent and host an open house to attract buyers.
- Review and Counter Offers: If you only get one offer, you might have to reduce your asking price. But if many buyers show interest in your home, you can either negotiate or choose the highest and best offer.
➡️ Remember: Selling a house in California is like surfing in Malibu—timing is everything, and the right wave can carry you all the way to top dollar.
Step 6: Ensure Your Home Is Inspection-Ready
Usually, buyers will schedule a home inspection to check for any issues, while the lender orders an home appraisal to figure out the market value. So, fix up any small repairs ahead of time—no one likes nasty surprises!
Being ready for both keeps things smooth and your home’s value strong. It’s all about making sure the buyer feels good and the lender feels confident, so your sale stays on track.
Step 7: Prepare for Closing Day
Closing day can be emotional, but don’t overlook the formalities. Just follow these final steps and you’ll be good to go:
- Gather All Documents: Before you sell a house in California, keep the paperwork for selling a house by owner ready. This includes the affidavit of title, deed, purchase agreement, tax records, settlement statement, 1099-S tax form, etc.
- Transfer Ownership: You have to sign the escrow paperwork, title deed, and other documents to transfer ownership to the buyer. The title company transfers their funds to you and the buyer’s name is then registered in the public record.
- Closing Costs: The closing costs in California for sellers includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax (each around 1-3%). It also consist of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
How to Sell My Home in California?
| City | Selling a House in California Near You |
| San Diego | Sell My House in San Diego, CA |
| Los Angeles | Sell My House in Los Angeles, CA |
| Sacramento | Sell My House in Sacramento, CA |
| Bernardino | Sell My House in Bernardino, CA |
Quick Summary 📝
Whether you’re in the heart of Los Angeles or along the Pacific Coast Highway, the right strategy is key to selling a house in the Golden State. To start, prepare your home for sale, and click photos. Then, decide how to list your home.
Remember to price your home after checking the local housing market trends. When your listing is live, you start getting showing requests. The buyer will conduct your home’s inspection before you can finally close the deal.
Remember, selling your home in California can be exciting, rewarding, and worth it, just like a day trip to Disneyland!
