The median home price in Riverside has jumped to $856,100. What’s driving this surge? Well, the city’s strong job market leads the charge. Add affordable cost of living and healthcare to the mix. Boom, you’ve got the perfect recipe for a homebuyer magnet!
If you want to get in on the action, this is the time to make your move! Summer is here, and selling a house in Riverside now can be as smooth as a walk through Fairmount Park or along the scenic Santa Ana River Trail.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Prepare your home for sale with enhanced curb appeal, neutral decor, tropical landscaping, and clean outdoor spaces.
- Decide how you want to sell, whether it’s with a local Riverside Flat Fee MLS service, a discount broker, or a full-service Realtor.
- Houzeo, Riverside’s #1 home selling website, can save you thousands in agent fees. Your home will also be on the MLS within 48 hours.
- Before you price your home in Riverside, check the current median home price, recent sales, and mortgage rates.
- Conduct showings to attract buyers. Also, review offers quickly and negotiate smartly.
- Finally, schedule utility transfers, pay your closing costs, and prepare to move out.
7 Simple Steps to Selling a House in Riverside
Wondering how to go about selling your house? Worry no more! Whether you live in the heart of Downtown Riverside or in one of its surrounding neighborhoods, just follow these 7 steps to sell your home in Riverside quickly:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
First impressions matter—especially in Riverside’s competitive market with its Spanish-style homes and historic Mission Revival architecture. So, focus on your home’s curb appeal to make it look more presentable. Here are 3 tips to make homes for sale in Riverside stand out:
- Redo the Landscaping: Design your home’s garden strip or front stoop with local, climate-friendly greenery. Opt for plants like California poppies, lavender, and succulents to make it look vibrant.
- Repaint the House: A fresh coat of paint can change the whole look of your home. Try classic colors that complement Riverside’s charm, like terracotta, creamy white, soft sandstone, and sage green.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Buyers in Riverside love homes with a cozy nook. If your home has a patio, balcony, or backyard space, use comfortable furniture and stylish decor to stage it.
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A well-staged home can turn heads like the art and exhibits at the Riverside Art Museum. While traditional home staging is always an option, you can try virtual home staging too. Here are some tips to make your house shine:
- Declutter and Clean the House: A clean home looks more inviting. Clear out the entryway, sweep the porch, and tidy the yard to make your home look appealing.
- Showcase Practical Features: Buyers in Riverside appreciate smart, energy-efficient upgrades. Show off modern HVAC systems, smart thermostats, and solar panels or other green home features, if any.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: Buyers in Riverside are drawn to cozy, well-lit spaces. Showcase your bright kitchen filled with natural light or a snug living room with a fireplace. Features like these help buyers picture themselves at home!
- 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 Riverside, you have multiple options! Here are 4 choices most sellers opt 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 Riverside.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in California for a flat fee. With Houzeo, your home can be on the MLS for just $249.
- 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.
- For Sale By Owner: You can sell your home FSBO without hiring an agent. This gives you full control over the process and helps you save thousands on agent commissions.
Step 4: Price Your Home Competitively
Inaccurate pricing forces properties to stay longer on the market. 33.1% of homes in Riverside sold with price drops in July 2025. Here’s how you can avoid this mistake and learn how to price your home right:
- Check the Local Market Trends: Overprice your home and it’ll sit there like traffic on the 91 Freeway during rush hour—longer than you’d expect. So, study the California housing market to set a competitive listing price.
- 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 its FMV to attract buyers and have a profitable home sale.
- Get a CMA: Comparative Market Analysis compares your home to similar nearby ones to determine your home’s value. Opt for one to help you set the right price.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Review Offers
Once your listing is active, buyers searching for California houses for sale will submit showing requests. Here’s what you should 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: Even a beautifully staged home can blend in like just another stucco house on a sunny Riverside block. Consult your agent and announce an open house to attract buyers.
- Review and Counter Offers: If you get only one offer, you might have to reduce your asking price. But if you’ve got multiple offers, it’s time to negotiate and find the best one.
Step 6: Ensure Your Home Is Inspection-Ready
Usually, buyers will schedule a home inspection to check for any issues, while the lender orders a 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.
👉 All Set to Sell Your Home? List on the MLS Now!
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 home in Riverside, 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. Then, the title company or escrow transfers its funds to you.
- Closing Costs: The cost of selling a house in Riverside includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax. It also consists of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
What Is the Process of Selling a House? Quick Summary📝
Whether you are tucked away in the Riverside’s neighborhoods or the heart of Downtown, the best way to sell your house starts with the right planning. To begin, prepare your home for sale, and click stunning photos. Then, decide how to list your home.
Price your home after checking the local trends. When your listing is live, you start getting showing requests. Remember, the buyer will conduct your home’s inspection before you can finally close the deal.
» Houzeo Reviews: Read what people say about Houzeo—Riverside’s best home selling website.
