If you’ve decided to sell your home in California, the process can be both exciting and daunting. From pricing and preparing your property to setting the perfect move-out date, there’s a lot that needs to happen to close the deal. In this post, we’ll provide expert insights and tips on what to repair before selling and when to contact a Realtor. We’ll also provide guidance on how to set your home’s asking price, how long it will take to get an offer, and help make sense of California’s complex disclosure requirements. Here’s a 10-step guide on how to confidently navigate selling your home in California, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every twist and turn along the way. If you’re gearing up to sell your home in California, timing can play a key role, for you and potential buyers, says Suneet Agarwal, a top Sacramento real estate agent who works with over 70% more single-family homes than average agents in his market. “The seller is expected to know what’s going on in the market,” he explains. “Seasonality comes into play. More people move in the summer, less people move when it’s raining. So those are the kinds of things that impact the sale.” To help time your sale, see HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator. One strategy that can be helpful is to create a backward timeline. This means asking, “When do I want to move out of my house?” Decide when you want to close, and then set benchmark goals between now and that endpoint. For example, your next guide questions going backward might be, “When do I need to be under contract,” and then “When do I need to be actively listed,” and so on. Bear in mind, a typical home sale in California requires about two to three weeks of preparation, followed by two to four weeks on the market. However, these timelines can fluctuate based on individual circumstances and local market conditions. Planning backward can help you pinpoint the best moment to make your move. The number of days on market (DOM) — the time from listing to having a signed contract — can fluctuate depending on the location, price, and condition of your California home. The current statewide medians range between 18 and 41 days. Sellers must also take into account the typical 43 additional days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.1. Pick a move-out date and work backward
General home prep and selling timelines
Typical timeline
Downsizing
Sell for cash
Listing prep
2-3 weeks
6-12 months
None
Time on market
2-4 weeks
2-4 weeks
None
Time to close
5-6 weeks
5-6 weeks
1 to 3 weeks
Total time
2.5-3.5 months
8-15 months
1 to 3 weeks
