How to Sell a House By Owner in California (2025 Update)

Selling your California house For Sale By Owner (FSBO) can save you thousands in real estate agent commissions. Not only that, 77% of FSBO homes sold in just two weeks, faster than the 36-day average in the Golden State.

And selling your home FSBO is now easier than ever! High-tech For Sale By Owner websites in California will help you list on MLS within 24 hours. And when you sell, you’ll pocket an average of $25,000 in additional savings on an average California home!

How to Sell a House By Owner in California in 6 Steps

California’s competitive real estate market gives FSBO sellers a chance to save money. However, selling your house by owner comes with challenges like paperwork, negotiations, and showings.

Want to overcome this and learn how to sell a home by owner in California? Here are the steps:

Step 1: Price Your Home Competitively

In November 2024, 22.5% of sellers in California had to lower their asking price because of initial inaccurate pricing. This caused the homes to stay on the market for more days.

Check comparable sales of similar properties in your area to tackle this issue. For example, homes in cities like San Jose and San Fransisco sell for higher prices, while areas like Fresno or Bakersfield, need to be priced slightly lower to attract more offers.

Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready

To attract buyers, stage your home. Staged homes create a positive first impression and influence 58% of buyers. Highlight the home’s best features, and help buyers visualize living in the space.

• Declutter and Depersonalize: Clean surfaces like coffee tables and countertops. Remove personal items like family photos, fridge magnets, etc., to make your home look neutral and inviting to buyers.
• Improve Curb Appeal: Enhance your home’s exterior with well-maintained landscaping, clean gardens, and a fresh coat of paint. Remove dead plants, trees, and shrubs to enhance the home’s curb appeal.
• Opt for a Professional Home Stager: Consider hiring professional home staging companies in CA to prep your house for photos and showings.

Step 3: Increase Your Property’s Visibility

A key step in learning how to sell a house by owner in California is boosting your property’s visibility. Here’s what you should do:

• Hire a Pro Photographer: Homes photographed professionally sell 32% faster than the average home. Hire a professional to create an appealing portfolio for your listing.
• Craft a Captivating Property Description: A catchy headline with an engaging statement can grab a buyer’s attention. Use popular adjectives like captivating, luxurious, impeccable, etc.
• List on For Sale By Owner Websites: Some FSBO listing sites like Zillow and Craigslist offer free listings. However, these sites will limit the exposure your home receives.
• Put a “For Sale” Yard Sign: 12% of sellers use yard signs to market their homes when selling FSBO. Yard signs increase the home’s visibility. In some cases, you can even attract unrepresented buyers.
• List on MLS: Homes listed on the MLS get maximum exposure as they get listed on 100+ real estate websites. That’s why 89% of home sellers use the MLS to market and sell their homes.

Step 4: Organize Home Showings

You can do the following when selling a house yourself in California to potential buyers:

• Open Houses: 41% of home buyers find information from an open house useful. Host open houses on weekends and evenings to make it easier for buyers to attend.
• In-Person Showings: With a tool like Houzeo Showings, buyers and buyer agents can choose a slot at their convenience. The tool provides features to request, reschedule, update, and cancel showings.

Step 5: Review, Compare, and Negotiate Offers

Though you are selling a house without a Realtor, the basics of what to do when you get offers remain the same. Consider these factors when reviewing them:

• Cash Offers: Ensure the cash offer matches the fair market value, so you don’t sell for less than your home’s worth.
• Buyer Financing: Verify the buyer is preapproved for a mortgage for financial reliability.
• Contingencies: Be aware of any inspection or appraisal contingencies for your property.
• Closing Costs: As a seller, you typically pay your closing costs such as escrow fees, HOA, etc. However, if you offer seller concessions, your home will appeal more to buyers.

Step 6: Finalize the Sale

A real estate attorney can help you prepare the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor in CA, such as title and closing documents. Typically, their fee ranges between $150 and $500 per hour.

How Much Do You Save by Selling Your Home By Owner?

$20,383, that’s how much you save when you sell a house in California priced at $832,500.

Assuming you pay a 3% commission fee, you’ll have to pay $24,975 to your listing agent. With Houzeo, you could reduce that cost significantly. Here’s how:

Details	Traditional Realtor (3%)	FSBO with Houzeo
Home Sale Price	$832,500	$832,500
Listing Price	$24,975	$429*
Savings	$0	($25,170 – $4,591) $20,383

» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews now to learn more about how to sell a house by owner in California and make an informed decision!

Pros and Cons of Selling a House Without a Realtor

FSBO is gaining popularity across generations. 26% of millennials, 17% of Gen Xers, 23% of Boomers, and 6% of Silent Gen choosing this route. Many buyer agents do work with FSBO sellers, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

✅ Pros of Selling For Sale By Owner

• Save on Commissions: When you learn how to sell a house by owner, you can save 2.5% to 3% on listing agent fees.
• Sell Quickly: FSBO platforms like Houzeo can get your property on the MLS within 24-48 hours. Statistically, 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
• Full Control: As an independent seller, you get to manage everything from showings to negotiations, paperwork, etc.

❌ Cons of Selling For Sale By Owner

• Need for Support: You may require help with paperwork, inspections, negotiations, or closing. So, you can choose a service that offers licensed broker support if needed.
• Hidden Fees: Some low-cost FSBO listing services charge high hidden fees at closing. Few of them, like Craigslist, are infamous for attracting unqualified buyers and scammers.

🚨 Common FSBO Mistakes to Avoid in California

❌ Skiping the MLS: Not listing your home on the MLS can limit your exposure. Homes on the MLS are listed on over 100 sites, typically selling faster and for 17.5% more.

❌Over or Underprice Your Home: Overpricing in competitive markets like San Francisco or Los Angeles can scare off buyers. Underpricing could leave money on the table.

❌ Skipping Professional Photography: Homes with professional photos sell 32% faster. Skipping professional real estate photography may reduce foot traffic and slow down your sales.

❌ Don’t Miscalculate Closing Costs: An error when calculating your closing costs can affect how you plan for future expenses. A shortfall could impact your ability to secure your new home.

❌ Don’t Make Paperwork Mistakes: Errors in your paperwork like flood zone disclosures or HOA details could delay or cancel the sale.

Should You Sell a House By Owner in California?

Yes! Selling a house by owner in CA can save you thousands in commissions. Home sales in the Golden State are up by 13.3% year over year, and prices are rising to $832,500.

By selling your home by owner, you can keep more of your profit by skipping the Realtor fee. Listing on the MLS helps your property get maximum exposure and attract motivated buyers quickly. It also allows you to take full advantage of the current market conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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