The most significant financial asset of most California residents is their home. Hence, selling a house in Southern California isn’t that simple. There are steps you need to take to ensure you get the best out of the deal.
This guide breaks the process down into eight simple steps. Read on to learn how to price your home, find a good agent, breeze through closing, negotiate with buyers, and more.
Table of Contents
1. Find a Realtor
Selling a house isn’t easy. It’s a complex, high-stakes transaction that requires an outstanding level of expertise and time to achieve a good result. Any owner selling property for the best price without stress needs to get a professional real estate agent.
The best listing agents in California know precisely how to reach local buyers and what they want. They offer expert guidance, support, and advice through each step.
2. Decide When to Sell
Timing is essential when looking to sell a house in Southern California. You could make more money if you wait just a month to list.
The best time to sell a house in Southern California is the second quarter of the year. Homes listed between April, May, and June do not spend many days (about four weeks) on the market.
Note that the days on the market don’t include the closing period. Typically, you may need to wait for about 30 to 40 days more to close after accepting an offer.
If your primary aim is making more money from your house sale, consider listing in June or May. The median sale prices in these months were $600,000 and $601,000 (respectively).
3. Price Your Home
Your pricing decisions must be backed up by data. A realtor can help to maximize the earning potential using comparative market analysis. They will have quality data about pending and recent sales and other similar houses listed in the community.
Your agent can use their expertise and comps to help you choose a listing price that brings more money, quick sale, or both.
4. Prepare, Market, and Show Your Home
Listing a house is beyond placing a “For Sale” signpost at your gate. Here are some tips to ensure more buyers see your home listing.
Stage the Home
House staging is now becoming more popular and more profitable. Staged houses sell 85 percent faster than others.
But it’s essential to stage your house to speak to your local market in California.
Regardless of what buyers need, one of the most vital parts of home staging is depersonalizing it. Put away personal items such as family photos to enable buyers to imagine themselves in the house.
Craft an Appealing Listing Description
Most buyers begin their house search online. However, your listing can easily get lost among the hundreds of real estate websites. Ensure to create an attractive listing that distinguishes you from the competition.
Ensure to market to a local audience while listing. Inform people about the outstanding features in your home and its environs. If there are several boutiques and restaurants within walking distance, ensure to mention it as some buyers might be young professionals who need local nightlife.
You can also take professional photos of the home. Select images that will highlight the home. The written description should convey every necessary detail without overwhelming buyers.
Open Houses and Showings
It’s advisable to make yourself scarce during an open house or showing. Your agent can easily spot serious buyers and answer their questions.
You might not be able to convince buyers to place an offer even though you’ve stayed in the house for years.
Focus on ensuring the house remains decluttered and clean. That way, potential buyers will find the home attractive whenever they stop by.
Market Your Home
Your agent will handle the significant marketing responsibilities, though you can also contribute. Share information about open houses and showings on social media.
You can also get connected to buyers through your personal network. Inform your family and friends about your listing — they may know someone who’s searching for a new home. You can offer a prize to anyone who refers a buyer to you.
5. Field Offers and Negotiations
After receiving an offer on your house, you don’t want to assume it’s a done deal. You don’t even have to accept if you get multiple offers at the asking price. Negotiating back and forth is normal.
Even if the buyer doesn’t budge on the price, you can still negotiate on other aspects to get a more favorable deal. Your agent can tell you if accepting an inspection contingency or making few repair concessions would be beneficial. After ironing out every detail, you and your buyer need to sign a purchase agreement.
6. Inspections and Appraisal
The buyer will require an appraisal of the home after signing the purchase agreement. Most lenders require an assessment of the home before agreeing to grant a loan.
After the appraisal, your buyer can employ an inspector to ascertain the home is in perfect shape. The appraiser will check the roof, the HVAC system, the electrical wiring, the plumbing, the foundation, etc.
If he uncovers any significant issues, expect more negotiations. Your buyer will use the potential repair costs to request a further price reduction.
7. Paperwork and California Disclosures
Anyone looking to sell a house in Southern California needs to fill a Transfer Disclosure statement. This form helps prospective buyers to know about neighborhood noise, damage, or structural issues. Buyers must also be informed if the house is “stigmatized” by regular death in the last two years.
Also, you need to fill the California Natural Hazard form to let buyers know if your home is susceptible to fires or in a flood zone.
Even if you’re selling a house as is in California, you need your local realtor to help you stay compliant with the law by determining how much you should disclose.
While it’s okay to be familiar with every document required for a successful home closing, always consult your attorney or agent before filing or signing paperwork.
8. Closing the Deal
After you and the buyer have fulfilled your part in the purchase agreement, you can close the deal.
While closing, the buyer can perform a final walk-through to ascertain the condition of the home. Then, you can both pay the final closing costs — you’ll get your money while the buyer takes ownership of the house.