Do’s and Don’t Steps for Selling a House in California

There are many uncertainties involved with selling a house anywhere in the world. You may not know precisely what your home is worth, or if potential sellers are willing to make a reasonable offer. With so much guesswork, you need to focus on the issues that you can control.

We have devised a thorough list of do's and don'ts when selling a house in the Golden State. California has some unique laws and requirements when selling a home, so we encourage you to save this page for future reference.

What to do what selling a house in California

Ironically, sellers often put a vast amount of time and effort into fine tuning a home in time for someone else to move into. However, if you have the time, funds, and inclination to put some work in at the beginning, then it can help your house sell quickly and for a better price. Focus on doing as many activities below as possible before listing your home for sale in California.

Check out the competition

Any business or product should always have one eye on the competition. Buyers will be comparing your home to that of others currently on the market, so ensure yours is priced appropriately and is well kept.

Consider your options

Selling your home with a traditional real estate agent is the go-to for most homeowners when it comes time to sell. However, there are now more options available for selling a house in California, including:

·  For Sale By Owner or FSBO – You do all the marketing, viewing, and paperwork and keep any commission you would otherwise pay an agent

·  Online real estate broker – Typically offer lower commissions but lack personal attention

·  Property buyer – Will buy homes quickly in as-is condition, with no need for viewings, staging, or cleaning.

Before you settle on which option is best for your situation, we urge you to look at the numbers and calculate what your time is worth and the cost of any minor or major repairs.

Put in the work

If you want a top offer for your home, you likely will need to put in a fair amount of additional work. Each step can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, so do get to them as soon as possible and ask your friends and family for assistance. Here is our suggested order of what to tackle:

·  Do minor repairs

·  Declutter

·  Clean

·  Paint

·  Stage

·  Take great pictures

What not to do when selling a house in California

Knowing what NOT to do can be equally critical to selling your house; you don’t want to put in weeks of effort only to mess up your chances later on. If you are interested in selling a home in California, don’t make any of these mistakes below:

·  Don’t overestimate your home’s worth

·  Don’t ignore your agent’s advice

·  Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight

·  Don’t forget about municipal inspections

·  Don’t forget to calculate and pay transfer taxes

·  Forget to provide required documents and statements, including Megan’s Law Disclosure, Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement, Residential Earthquake Hazard Report, Buyer and Seller Advisory, and Transfer Disclosure Statement

The process of selling a home in California may appear similar to anywhere else in the country; however, it is essential to note that the state and certain municipalities have different taxes, inspections, and documentation requirements. Be sure to know what is required from the beginning before a deal falls through.