Thinking about selling? Let’s make a plan.
Selling your home is a big financial decision, and often an emotional one. A good plan takes most of the stress out of it. Here’s how the process works in Southern California, from deciding whether to sell to handing over the keys, and where your choices make the biggest difference.
Five stages of selling your home
1. Before you list
Timing, your home’s real value, your estimated net, and choosing the right agent.
2. Prepare your home
Fix what buyers will flag, skip what won’t pay off, declutter, stage and photograph.
3. Go to market
Price it right from day one, market it well, and make showings easy.
4. Accept an offer
Compare financing, deposit, contingencies and timing, not just price.
5. Close and move
Escrow, closing costs, and a smooth hand-off of the keys.
Also buying?
You can sell first and rent back, buy first with a contingent offer, or ask your lender about bridge financing. I’ll help you line up both moves.
What is my home actually worth?
Your home’s value comes from comparable sales (“comps”): similar homes nearby that recently sold. Online estimates are a starting point, but they can’t see your upgrades, your view, your lot or your HOA. I’ll create a custom market analysis that looks at all of it and gives you a realistic range.
- Ask for an estimated seller net sheet so you know what you’ll walk away with
- Request a loan payoff estimate from your lender
- If you’re buying next, get pre-approved before you list
- Talk to a tax professional about capital gains; many owners who’ve lived in their home two of the last five years can exclude a large portion
- 55 or older? Ask about Prop 19 and transferring your property tax base
Spend where it counts
Worth fixing
- Leaks, water damage and plumbing problems
- Roof, electrical, heating and air issues
- Broken windows, doors, locks and appliances
- Required safety items like smoke and CO detectors and a strapped water heater
Usually skip
- Full kitchen or bathroom remodels
- Custom upgrades that reflect your personal taste
- Major additions or new pools
Declutter
Clear counters, pack away family photos and thin out closets. Buyers open everything.
Stage
Show how each room is used. If photos are virtually staged, California requires that to be disclosed.
Curb appeal
Power wash, trim plants, refresh the front door and swap any burned-out exterior lights.
The highest offer isn’t always the strongest
| Compare | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Financing | Loan type, down payment and the strength of the pre-approval |
| Deposit | A larger earnest money deposit signals a committed buyer |
| Contingencies | Fewer or shorter contingencies mean more certainty |
| Appraisal gap | Whether the buyer will cover a shortfall if the appraisal comes in low |
| Timing | A closing date or rent-back that fits your move |
If several offers come in, California lets you counter more than one buyer at a time with a multiple counter offer, so we can work toward your best terms.
Escrow and closing costs
Most escrows close in about 30 days. Sellers typically pay real estate commissions as agreed in the listing agreement, escrow and title fees, the county documentary transfer tax, the loan payoff and prorated property taxes, plus any credits or repairs agreed to. Your net sheet estimates all of this up front, and I’ll update it when you accept an offer.
- Book movers as soon as you know your closing date
- Schedule utilities to transfer on closing day
- Leave all keys, garage openers and manuals for the new owners
Curious what your home could sell for?
I’ll put together a personalized home valuation using real local comps, not an online guess. No pressure, no obligation.
This guide is for general educational purposes only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Laws, programs and market conditions change. Consult a qualified tax professional about capital gains and property tax questions, and an attorney for legal advice about your situation.
