Selling your house in California can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! Following the right process will help you sell faster and for top dollar.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to sell a house in California, including how to find a great agent, navigate legal documents, stage your home, and more house selling tips.
⚡ Get started: Match with a top real estate agent and save BIG on commission.
Best ways to sell a house in California
- Sell with a traditional real estate agent: Most sellers benefit from selling with a top-rated real estate agent in California who can get them top dollar for their home.
- Sell with a discount real estate broker: If you want to save money on commission fees, selling with a discount real estate broker in California is a solid option.
- Sell to a cash home buyer: If you need to sell your home as fast as possible, selling to a cash home buyer in California is a quick and easy option. However, you’ll likely not make market value for your home.
- Sell without a realtor using flat fee MLS: If you’re an experienced home seller who wants to save on commission and maintain control over the process, you can sell without a realtor in California. You’ll need to use a flat fee MLS company in California to list your property on the MLS since only agents have access to this platform.
1. Find and choose a real estate agent in California
⭐ Pro tips
- Find agents through a matching service, referral, or local real estate board.
- Interview multiple agents before choosing one.
- Negotiate with your agent to get the best rate.
The best way to sell your house is typically by hiring a real estate agent.
We recommend interviewing at least 2–3 local real estate agents before signing a listing agreement. Comparing multiple options helps you find the best fit for your situation and could save you thousands on realtor commissions.
There are several ways to find a great realtor in California. To save the most time and money, stick to sources that make it easy to find quality options.
- Use an agent matching service. Provide some basic info about your home and what you’re looking for in an agent. You’ll get local options to choose from and you can compare rates to find the best one.
- Get a personal referral. Ask family and friends for recommendations, but be sure to vet the agent yourself to make sure they’re a good fit.
- Contact your local realtor association. Check your local real estate board in California to find a great selection of vetted agents.[3]
Using an agent-matching service is often the most convenient way to find a qualified California real estate agent. Once you have a few realtors to choose from, set up agent interviews with each one to determine your best option.
The best companies let you interview top agents who charge a low 1.5% listing fee (instead of the 2.54% average California listing fee). At this discounted rate, the average California homeowner would save $8,162 on their home sale! Fill out the form below to get matched with agents near you.
2. Decide when to sell your house in California
📊 California market insights
- Median days on market: 43 days
- Best month to sell for the highest price: May
- Best month to sell fast: May[4]
Sellers often find themselves balancing two priorities: maximizing their profit and minimizing the time their property spends on the market. Timing can significantly impact both the price and speed of the sale.
See how pricing and market speed vary by season. Talk with your agent to determine the best time to sell a house in California.
3. Prep your house for sale
⭐ Pro tips
- A pre-listing inspection can uncover major issues early on.
- Some minor home improvements can increase the value of your home.
- Staging can make your home attractive to prospective buyers during showings.
Now the fun begins: it’s time to get your home ready for showings! There are several ways to prepare your home for sale, some quicker than others.
Consider getting a pre-listing inspection
While a pre-listing inspection is totally optional, getting one is a good way to assess any crucial repair needs before putting the house on the market. The potential buyer will typically order their own inspection on the home, but if it uncovers major issues, they may back out of the sale.
A pre-listing inspection might not be worth the time and effort in certain cases:
- Your house is over 20 years old.
- You haven’t updated the house in a while.
- You’re aware of some issues but don’t know their extent.
- It’s a competitive market and you want to address issues upfront
- You’ve done significant DIY work or used unlicensed contractors on your home.
- You want peace of mind before putting your home on the market.
A pre-listing inspection can cost anywhere between $234 and $418 in California.[5] Talk with your real estate agent to determine if you should get a pre-listing inspection.
Make repairs and home improvements
Addressing necessary repairs and making strategic updates to your home before listing it for sale can significantly impact your property’s marketability and final selling price.
Updates and repairs can range from simple cosmetic touch-ups (new paint, fixed faucets, etc.) to more substantial renovations (landscaping, roof repair, HVAC, etc.).
In California, home repair costs average about $58,863 in total. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between investment and potential return.
| Job[6] | Job cost | Resale value | Recouped cost |
| 🥇Garage door replacement | $4,554 | $11,417 | 250.70% |
| 🥈Entry door replacement (steel) | $2,402 | $6,001 | 249.90% |
| 🥉Manufactured stone veneer | $11,760 | $23,934 | 203.50% |
| Grand entrance (fiberglass) | $11,732 | $16,026 | 136.60% |
| Minor kitchen remodel (midrange) | $28,140 | $37,794 | 134.30% |
| Siding replacement (fiber cement) | $21,947 | $25,388 | 115.70% |
If you’re short on time or budget, prioritize the most critical issues or focus on high-impact, low-cost improvements. If you’re selling a house that needs extensive repairs and you can’t afford it, consider selling your home to a cash buyer — these investors buy homes as is, but typically for less than market value.
💰 Get an instant cash offer that’s up to 100% of your home’s value!
Consider staging your home
Staging furniture, decor, and lighting showcases your home’s best features and helps prospective buyers envision themselves living in the space. Some real estate agents offer home staging advice as part of their service, or you can hire someone to stage your home.
If you’ve already moved out and there’s no furniture inside the home, consider adding virtual staging to your online listing. Virtual staging offers flexibility and can be easily modified to suit different styles. Ask your real estate agent if they offer virtual staging.
Staging isn’t always necessary. For homes in hot markets or with exceptional features or aesthetics, staging might just not be worth the cost.
4. Determine a list price for your house
📊 California pricing insights
- Median home value: $784,840 — up 2.95% from last year[7]
- Median listing price: $749,900 — up 2.94% from last month[4]
- Median sale price: $866,900 — up 6.59% from last month[8]
Pricing your home correctly is arguably one of the most critical steps to selling a house. The asking price you set can make the difference between a quick, profitable sale and a property that languishes on the market, potentially costing you thousands in the long run.
A comparative market analysis provides an estimate of your home’s fair value, based on what similar homes have recently sold for in your area. Most agents will provide you with a CMA for free. We recommend requesting and comparing multiple CMAs from the agents you interview.
Once you determine a competitive price and choose your agent, you’ll sign a California listing agreement.[9] The listing agreement is a contract between you and your agent that outlines the terms of your working relationship, including the duration of the listing, the commission rate, the asking price, and the agent’s responsibilities.
If you’re not using a real estate agent, getting an appraisal before the sale is a good idea. Appraisals are usually conducted by the buyer during the process, but you can get a home appraisal before listing your home for sale to guide your pricing.
However, appraisals can cost $126 and $436 in California and are often time-consuming (1–2 weeks to complete), so consider your budget and timeframe.[1]
5. Market your house to buyers
⭐ Pro tips
- Highlight your house’s best features and unique selling points in your listing.
- Don’t be present during showings, if possible.
- Use buyer feedback to your advantage, making adjustments to your listing or home staging when applicable.
Now it’s time to actually list your home and host potential buyers! Here’s what typically happens next.
Your property listing goes live
Your real estate agent will post your home on your local multiple listing service (MLS), which is a database most real estate agents use to find and sell properties. Your home will also appear on popular real estate websites (like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com) to reach prospective buyers.
Online listings should include:
- Basic property details (address, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, square footage, and year built)
- A listing description that highlights the home’s best features, recent upgrades, and unique selling points
- Professional photos or video of the interior and exterior of the home
- Information about recent upgrades or unique features
- Neighborhood details, such as nearby school systems, HOA fees, and property taxes
- Property history (previous sale dates and prices)
- Agent contact information
Once your listing is live, your agent will likely start receiving requests for showings so buyers can tour the property themselves.
Your agent manages home showings
Your real estate agent takes on the primary role of managing home showings. They’re responsible for scheduling appointments and communicating with interested buyers and their agents. They may even schedule an open house if they think your home could benefit from the exposure.
Unless you’re selling the home for sale by owner, you likely won’t be involved directly in the showing process. Still, keep a few things in mind:
- Clean and tidy. Secure valuables and remove any personal items. Turn on all lights and open curtains for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
- Steer clear during showings. It’s generally best for sellers to leave during showings, as your presence may make buyers feel uncomfortable or pressured.
- Remove pets during showings. Pets can be a distraction, trigger allergies, and cause odors. If you can’t take them elsewhere, keep them in a secured area.
- Be open to feedback. Your agent may give you constructive criticism about buyer reactions. Use it to make improvements for future showings.
6. Negotiate offers with buyers
⭐ Pro tips
- You don’t have to respond to lowball offers.
- The highest offer isn’t always the best — consider other factors like closing costs, timing, and contingencies.
In California, it takes around 43 days to receive an offer. Timing depends on your home’s price, location, condition, and the present season.
The offer letter should contain the buyer’s offer price, whether they’re asking for any concessions, how they’ll finance the purchase, an estimated closing date, and an offer expiry date (typically 24–48 hours after submission).
There are three ways sellers and their listing agents can respond to a buyer’s offer:
- 🟢 Accept the offer. If the offer has everything you’re looking for, then you might just want to accept it without countering, especially if no other offers are on the table.
- 🟡 Counter the offer. It could make sense to counter an offer if you’re confident you’d receive another good one if the buyer declines it. If you counter an offer and the buyer accepts it, you’re technically under contract.
- 🔴 Ignore the offer. There’s no need to respond to a lowball offer or one that doesn’t meet any of your criteria — especially if you have stronger offers on the table.
The highest sale price offer isn’t always the best offer you’ll receive. Consider these other factors as well:
- Closing costs: Is the buyer asking you to cover part or all of their closing costs or the buyer’s agent commission?
- Financing type: Is the buyer paying all cash or getting a mortgage? (Cash deals usually close faster while financed deals take longer.)
- Earnest money: How much earnest money has the buyer agreed to put down?
- Timing of sale: Is the buyer willing and able to close on the sale within your desired time frame?
- Sale contingency: Does the buyer need to sell a house in order to buy yours?
In California, sellers are responsible for paying the listing agent directly. Traditionally, sellers also set the fee they were willing to pay a buyer's agent. But a 2024 lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors changed this so buyer's agents have to negotiate rates directly with the buyers they represent. Most buyers will still ask sellers to pay this fee as a concession from their sale proceeds, so the buyer doesn't have to bring more cash to closing.
7. Review paperwork and sign an offer
⭐ Pro tips
- Verify buyers’ proof of funds or mortgage pre-approval.
- Be aware of any conditions that could lead the buyer to back out.
- Consider backup offers in case the primary deal falls through.
Once you’ve decided to accept an offer, it’s time to review the contract and sign. Carefully review contingencies with your agent to understand all conditions that could allow the buyer to back out without penalty.
After all parties have signed, your home is under contract. If all goes well, it typically takes 35 days to close on the home.
8. Conduct inspections, appraisals, and closing walk-through
⭐ Pro tips
- Consider offering a closing credit to cover repairs or post-inspection issues.
- Be prepared to renegotiate price if the appraisal comes in low.
- Remove all personal items before the buyer’s final walk-through.
After you’ve accepted and signed the offer, the buyer conducts their due diligence before closing: completing a home inspection, ordering an appraisal, and applying for financing (if they haven’t already).
Home inspection
A home inspection usually takes 1–3 hours to document the overall condition of the home and point out potential issues, such as water damage, termites, mold, code violations, etc.
Sellers usually don’t attend the inspection or even see the buyer’s home inspection report. If the buyer demands that you make a repair, request to see the inspection report before negotiating and check with your agent to learn what you’re obligated to fix.
Appraisal
Lenders often require buyers to get a home appraisal to ensure that it’s worth its purchase price. In California, the buyer typically pays for the appraisal, though sometimes the seller offers to cover this cost to motivate the buyer.
The appraiser visits your home to take interior and exterior photos, noting any features or upgrades that add value to the home. They compare your house to recently sold homes in your area and generate a report that provides an opinion of value.
Both the lender and buyer receive a copy of the appraisal. You’ll get notified if your home’s appraised value comes in lower than the buyer’s purchase price. In this case, you may have to renegotiate the price because buyers can only finance up to the appraisal amount, meaning that they’ll need more cash to purchase the home.
Final walk-through
The buyer may walk through the home a day or two before closing to ensure it’s in the agreed-upon condition.
Here’s what you need to do before their walk-through:
- Clear out your house of any belongings, if you haven’t yet.
- Repair or patch any damaged drywall, paint, or nail holes.
- Make sure items included in the sale contract (appliances, light fixtures, etc) are still there.
- Lightly sweep out the house, especially anything left from the move, like mud tracks or loose packaging.
9. Close on your home sale
⭐ Pro tips
- Verify buyers’ proof of funds or mortgage pre-approval.
- Be aware of any conditions that could lead the buyer to back out.
- Consider staying open to backup offers in case the primary deal falls through.
You’re almost at the finish line! As the seller, you can attend the closing process in person or do your part electronically.
In short, closing consists of a lot of paperwork (even more paperwork if you’re selling for sale by owner), but your agent or real estate attorney can help you navigate the process.
Required for every residential real estate transaction:
- Listing agreement
- Property disclosure statement
- Deed
- Title documents
- Purchase agreement
- Closing statement
- Bill of sale
- Tax records
Additional documents (sometimes required):
- Mortgage payoff statement
- HOA documents
- Home warranty information
- Repairs documentation
- FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) Affidavit
In the Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement, all California sellers are required to disclose known issues about their homes to potential buyers.[2] Disclosure requirements vary by state but typically include issues such as structural defects, water damage, and pest infestations.
California does not require the hiring of a real estate attorney to buy a home. However, if your home purchase has any legal complexities, it may be smart to hire one. When choosing an attorney to handle your home purchase, interview multiple attorneys, discuss your situation, and choose the attorney that you feel comfortable with and best meets your needs.
California seller closing costs are typically 2.71% of the final sale price. For a median value California home that sells for $784,840, closing costs (not including real estate commission) would be around $21,233.
Closing costs include fees like title insurance, recording fees, buyer incentives, and more.
Generally, a seller pays their closing costs from the sale proceeds.
Your net proceeds may be wired to your bank account after closing. Contact your agent, attorney, or title company for more details on how and when you’ll get paid. Congrats on your sale!
What do do after your home sale
- Save physical and digital copies of your home sale documents. Talk with your tax adviser or accountant and find out if you owe taxes on the sale of your home.
- Notify USPS[10] and the California DMV[11] to change your address.
- If your agent did a good job, give them a positive review online!
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Methodology
Our mission is to provide accurate, actionable, and practical information that will help you make better decisions about your real estate journey.
To help create this California home selling guide, we pulled current and historical market data from vetted sources, such as Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and the Journal of Light Construction. As these sources update, we refresh our pages accordingly to ensure everything is current.