61% of home sellers think of choosing the For Sale By Owner route. And it’s evident why! You get to save a whopping 3% on listing agent commissions with FSBO. That’s a potential saving of $24,975 on a typical $832,500 home in the Golden State.
So, whether you’re in Crescent City or Imperial Beach, you can also go FSBO and increase your profits. But how? Selecting the right FSBO website is the key! Opt for the best For Sale By Owner website in California that offers personalized support, easy scheduling, and maximum exposure—all in one place!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in California
| FSBO Website | Fee | 100% Online | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Congress Realty | $299 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 3. Beycome | $99 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. Flat Fee MLS Realty | $549 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 - $495 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 6. Zillow For Sale By Owner | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 7. Craigslist | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
What Are the Types of FSBO Websites?
There are two types of FSBO websites you can choose from to sell a house by owner in California:
- Paid FSBO Websites: These websites list your home on the MLS for a flat fee. The MLS syndicates your listings to Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and other websites.
- Free FSBO Websites: When you list for free, your listings are visible on the website and not on the MLS. No MLS exposure means less buyers and a lower sale price.
7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites Reviews in California
Here’s our review of the top For Sale By Owner sites for California homeowners:
Reviews: 4 Best Paid FSBO Websites
1. Houzeo
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing packages:
- Bronze – $399 + $350 at closing: This package offers a Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver – $409 + 0.5% at closing: This offers maximum photo upload and provides you with seller disclosures.
- Gold – $429 + 0.5% at closing: This is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for, such as Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum – $499 + 1% at closing: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy!
These are the key features that make Houzeo one of the top FSBO websites to list with:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s MLS packages give you access to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 5-Star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Its powerful house search app makes your home visible to interested buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll pay just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. Remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You also bypass the listing agent commission.
- Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
Houzeo’s services are limited in Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This means your listing may take more than 12 hours to get updated.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,090+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
Houzeo.com is one of the best For Sale By Owner sites in California. With Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS listing service, you can save thousands on Realtor commissions. Moreover, advanced technology, listing exposure, and 5-star customer support helps you sell your house as FSBO like a pro.
2. Congress Realty
Experienced Broker
Listing Fee: $2994.9/5
Congress Realty offers 4 different packages:
- Basic Package – $299: You get a listing term of 6 months and and can upload maximum 6 photos. Additionally, you get access to all state forms & disclosures.
- Plus Package – $399: Your home is live on the MLS for 6 months and you can upload maximum number of photos. It allows you to make 10 listing changes for free.
- Premium Package – $499: You get unlimited open house postings and your listing is featured on social media.
- Full-Service Package – $399 + 0.5% Commission: You get a 24/7 dedicated support of experienced agent who would help you with negotiations, contract review, and closing. They charge 0.5% at closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the Full-Service Package offered by Congress Realty for its full-service features. However, you should also take into consideration the 0.5% they charge at closing.
Congress Realty offers a smarter, cost-effective way to sell your home.
- Commission Savings: It helps you keep more of your money with flat fees instead of high agent commissions.
- Direct Contact with Buyers: You can talk to buyers directly and negotiate your deal on your terms.
- Greater Exposure: Your home is syndicated to popular real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, ensuring maximum visibility.
- Transparent Fee: You know what you’ll pay right at the start, no surprises later.
Congress Realty has a few drawbacks:
- Limited Listing Duration: Your home is live on the MLS for just 6 months, which means you need to renew it if its not sold.
- Lack of Vital Features: You do not get access to marketing tools and no professional photography.
- Limited Coverage: It provides services in limited states of the US, hence its unsuitable if you plan to relocate in future.
Congress Realty has an excellent rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 90+ reviews on Google.
» Congress Realty Reviews: Is the listing service worth it? Read our in-depth analysis.
Congress Realty is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jared Andrew English founded the company in 2002. You can contact your buyers directly through the platform and have control over the sale. Nevertheless, you must manually complete all the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor.
3. Beycome
DIY Real Estate Brokerage
Listing Fee: $99 - $5994.5/5
Beycome Brokerage Realty LLC offers three Flat Fee MLS listing packages for homeowners:
- Basic Package – $99: This package offers you unlimited changes to your listings.
- Enhanced Package – $399: You get a yard sign, a featured listing on Beycome’s website, flyers, brochures, and one key lockbox. You can also add a virtual tour video to your listing. This package is available only in 8 states.
- Concierge Service – $599 + 1% Commission: This is essentially a virtual full-service package that includes assistance till closing. They charge 1% of the sale price at closing. It is available only in 6 states.
👉 Our Take: Beycome’s prices are reasonable. However, their à la carte services comes with a hefty price tag. Also, the website is suitable only for experienced sellers.
Beycome offers good service in the selected states they are available in:
- Unrestricted Revisions and Edits: You can make unlimited changes to the description, photos, or price of your listing.
- Expert Assistance, if Needed: You can get expert assistance on all 7 days of the week in English and Spanish.
In our research, we came across these deal breakers with Beycome:
- Upselling Title Service: Beycome also owns a title company, which will be pitched to you repeatedly.
- Limited Coverage: It is only available in 10 states.
- Lack of Assistance: Most sellers had to manage price negotiation, showings, and closing by themselves. Sellers also complained about the delay in resolving issues.
- Average Technology: Leads, inspections, appraisals, etc., are managed offline so the process can be cumbersome.
- Only for Experienced Sellers: First-time sellers may not have experience in closing costs and seller disclosures. Beycome does not provide that much assistance in this area.
Beycome has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 600+ reviews on Google.
» Beycome Reviews: Know why Beycome is not the best choice to sell your home.
Beycome is a Flat Fee MLS company in California. They are known for their affordable packages and provide unlimited changes to your listing. They also own a title company. However, Beycome is available only in 10 states. The sellers complain about the limited in-person support for closing and paperwork.
4. Flat Fee MLS Realty
AFFORDABLE PLANS
Listing Fee: Starts at $1294.4/5
Flat Fee MLS Realty offers listing packages in the price range of $129-$599. Some important features include:
- Silver Package – $129: You get a 3-month listing term and can make 10 listing updates. You can upload up to 15 property pictures.
- Gold Package – $299: Your property will be listed on the MLS for 6 months and you can make unlimited listing changes. You can upload a maximum of 50 home pictures.
- Platinum Package – $599: Your home will be live on the MLS until it’s sold and you can make unlimited changes to the listing. You can upload 50 house photos on the MLS.
👉 Our Take: Flat Fee MLS Realty offers budget-friendly packages starting at $129. However, with the basic plan you get just 3-month listing term. This means you will have to settle with a not-so competitive offer before your home goes offline.
Listing with Flat Fee MLS Realty has some advantages:
- Availability of Marketing Tools: You can schedule open house, get CMA report, and digital flyers.
- Local Exposure: Your home is listed on the local MLS which makes your home visible to nearby buyers and their agents.
- HD Photos: With the Platinum package you can get 25+ professionally clicked HD photos of your home.
In our research, we have found certain drawbacks of Flat Fee Realty:
- Short Listing Term: You can list your home for 3-months only. To increase the listing term you need to opt for expensive packages.
- No Yard Sign: You do not get a yard sign which is an essential marketing tool provided by most Flat Fee MLS companies.
- Limited Services in Basic Package: To avail essential services like expedited listing and open house scheduling, you need to opt for advanced packages.
The MLS listing company has 4.4 out of 5 stars from 90+ total reviews on Google.
» Flat Fee MLS Realty Reviews: Check out our detailed review of Flat Fee Realty.
Flat Fee MLS Realty is a real estate company in California that offers by-owner services. They operate in Indiana, Colorado, California, and Illinois. However, you’ll pay an extra $375 at closing if you don’t use their affiliated title company, Excel Title. Also, the company doesn’t offer For Sale By Owner yard sign service.
Reviews: 3 Best Free FSBO Websites
5. ForSaleByOwner.com
OPTIONAL FREE LISTING
Listing Fee: $0 - $4953.4/5
ForSaleByOwner.com includes 2 FSBO packages:
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0: In this package, your home only gets listed on the ForSaleByOwner.com website.
- ‘Closing Assistance’ Package – $495: You get the assistance of a licensed real estate broker. However, for this, you need to have a potential buyer.
👉 Our Take: ForSaleByOwner.com does not list on MLS. This can be a strong drawback in your selling processes.
These are some pros to consider:
- Nationwide Coverage: ForSaleByOwner.com caters to customers throughout the United States.
- Control and Flexibility: You can set your schedule, host showings, and manage the sale process at your convenience.
- Direct Buyer Interaction: You can directly communicate with potential buyers through their messaging system.
We have found certain cons about ForSaleByOwner.com in our research:
- No MLS Listing: This site does not list your property on MLS. You can only list on the ForSaleByOwner.com website.
- Lack of Technology: It can be time-consuming and demanding to manage the listings, showings, negotiations, and paperwork.
- Privacy Violation: Even though listing on ForSaleByOwner.com is free, payment details are still necessary.
- Lead for Rocket Homes: Your listing information is shared with Rocket Homes agents. They may frequently contact you to solicit MLS listings.
ForSaleByOwner.com has a rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on BestCompany.com.
» ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Read this blog to learn more.
ForSaleByOwner.com is the oldest free FSBO website, serving since 1999. Moreover, they provide tools to help you calculate your home’s worth and legal forms. But the website doesn’t offer MLS listing service. And their paid agent support package is priced similarly in cost to a traditional Realtor.
6. Zillow For Sale By Owner
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
Zillow offers the following listing plans for home sellers:
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform.
- Zillow Premier Agent – 3% commission: This is the traditional way to sell your home. You get access to a real estate agent who guides you through the entire sale process.
👉 Our Take: Zillow is a comprehensive real estate website that offers a variety of tools and resources for home sellers.
You should consider these points while choosing Zillow:
- No Fees: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website free of charge.
- Free Cancellation: Zillow listings can be cancelled without any additional charges or hidden costs.
- Maximum Market Exposure: It is one of the most popular real estate websites, with millions of monthly visitors. This means that a large number of potential buyers will see your listing.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow FSBO services are accessible in all 50 states across America.
- User-Friendly Interface: Its website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties based on location, price, features, and other criteria.
- Offers Rental Services: Zillow is one of the best rental websites in America. It offers a built-in tenant screening tool, rent collection feature, owner portal, pricing suggestions, etc.
We identified several disadvantages of listing with Zillow:
- Slow Listings: Your listing can take up to 72 hours to update from the time you submit your property details.
- Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is not always accurate. This misleads buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance other FSBO companies offer.
Zillow has a rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 350+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow.
Zillow is one of the most popular FSBO websites. To list your home, you can simply sign up and create your free account. However, Zillow’s FSBO listings do not appear on the MLS and are hidden in the ‘Other Listings’ tab. This limits exposure when selling a house in California.
7. Craigslist
BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
Since Craigslist is one of the biggest classified websites, it offers free listings:
- FSBO Listing on Craigslist – $0: You get an FSBO listing on Craigslist. Here you can upload your property’s description, location, and some photos.
👉 Our Take: With Craigslist you can post your house for sale for free. However, you don’t have MLS exposure.
These are some key pros to consider:
- User-Friendly Website: Craigslist’s website is easy to navigate. This helps you to easily create your listing and add property information.
- Free FSBO Listing: Most of the FSBO sellers who opt to advertise on Craigslist do it to save up on the agent’s commission.
- Good for Distressed Property: Craigslist is a great platform for distressed properties. This is mainly because many cash buyers, house flippers, and investors keep track of listings on Craigslist.
- Huge Traffic: According to Similarweb, Craigslist is the most visited classified website in the USA.
Here are a few cons to keep in mind:
- Lowball Offer: Customers have reported that buyers on Craigslist make lowball offers.
- Scammers and Pranksters: Craigslist is infamous for being a playground for scammers. Many people who list their homes on Craigslist get unsolicited calls from scammers posing as buyers.
- Short Lifespan of Ads: Craigslist ads are listed in reverse chronological order, the newest ones always have the most prominence.
Craigslist has a poor rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» How to Sell a House on Craigslist: Learn the step-by-step process of selling your home on Craigslist.
Craigslist is one of the biggest free For Sale By Owner companies. They can provide decent exposure to your FSBO listing. But they lack security features and can also attract scammers and fraudulent cash home buyers. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With a FSBO Website in California?
If you plan to sell your home in California, using a FSBO website can save you thousands of dollars in Realtor commissions. Imagine you own a $832,500 home in the Golden State. Traditionally, you’ll have to pay around $24,975 in commission.
But with a FSBO website like Houzeo, your house gets listed on the MLS for a flat fee of just $399 + $350 at closing. This helps you save a whopping $24,226.
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $24,975 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $24,226 |
What to Look Out for in the Best FSBO Websites?
Consider these 4 factors when selecting the best FSBO home selling sites in the Golden State:
- User Experience: The top For Sale By Owner websites should be easy to navigate. Look for features like mobile app, virtual tours and offers.
- MLS Listing: Opt for a platform that offers MLS listing. This can significantly increase your property’s exposure to buyers and agents.
- Pricing: Evaluate the packages of FSBO websites. Some offer free listings, while others charge a flat fee or a percentage of the sale price.
- Customer Support: Look for platforms that offer top notch customer service and provide guidance to the sellers.
Tips to List Your House as For Sale By Owner in California
Here are some home selling tips and strategies you must follow with For Sale By Owner websites in California.
How to List on California’s #1 FSBO Website?
Here’s how you can get your home in front of local buyers and agents with the help of For Sale By Owner listing sites in California:
- Find the Best FSBO Website With MLS Access: Choose a FSBO platform that offers MLS listing to maximize your property exposure.
- Create Your Account: Almost all best FSBO sites with MLS access will let you create an account. High-tech listing sites like Houzeo allow you to manage your MLS listing online!
- Choose a Listing Plan: The plan should meet needs and include all the services that would make your home selling journey smooth and effortless.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Include property details like the number of beds, baths, etc. and add high quality photos. Consider hiring a real estate photographer in California.
- Sign the Agreement: Carefully review and sign the listing agreement and seller disclosure forms. If everything is in order, your home will be listed on the MLS within 24 to 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I list my home For Sale By Owner in California for free?
You can list your California home for free on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Zillow For Sale By Owner. However, these platforms offer limited exposure compared to Houzeo's MLS listing service.
What is the best For Sale By Owner MLS listing service in California?
Houzeo is the best FSBO MLS listing service in California. It offers a user-friendly platform, professional tools, and a Flat Fee MLS California listing service that can save you thousands of dollars in real estate agent commissions.
Do buyers look for California house for sale on FSBO websites?
Yes, buyers do look for California houses for sale on For Sale By Owner platforms. This gives sellers an opportunity to save on real estate agent commissions in California.
Is selling a house yourself in California worth it?
Yes, selling a house in California can be worth it if you opt for top FSBO websites like Houzeo. You get to save on hefty Realtor commissions. Also with Houzeo Mobile App, you can manage listings, schedule showings, review offers- all at your fingertips!
