The decision to sell your home isn’t one to take lightly, and if you’ve ever wondered how to sell my house fast in California, we’re here to help. Not only is moving a big step, but preparing a home for sale, choosing a price, and ultimately picking a buyer also involve a lot of mental, emotional, and physical energy. At Stars & Stripes, we buy homes for cash in California and have a deeper understanding of the process than most. We want to help you get the best deal for your California home.
Below is the typical process of selling a home fast in California. However, if you work with us we make it even faster. We take care of this for you and will buy your house as is. No decluttering, planning etc.
Contact us today.
Below is the process we can save you from.
Create a Home Selling Timeline
Rather than thinking too far ahead, we encourage you to pick a move-out date and work backward from there. Timing is one of the most challenging aspects to match when selling and buying a new home, and some of that difficulty is alleviated if you approach things this way.
It’s essential to understand key factors such as current market trends and optimal seasons for selling. The following guidelines may help you create a timeline when you’re considering selling your house in California:
- Preparation and listing: Typically takes 2-3 weeks
- House listed on the market: Hope for 2-4 weeks
- Closing time: Usually 5-6 weeks after the process starts
- Total selling time: 3-4 months
According to the California Association of Realtors, the typical time to sell your home is 26 days. This is the time from listing until a contract is signed, and is referred to as the days on market. As you plan your time, remember that buyers usually need around 40 days to close on a mortgage loan.
Set the Price for your California Home
This is one of the hardest parts of selling a house as-is in California quickly. You want to price it to be attractive, but you deserve to get what the home’s worth. The process is similar to walking a tightrope. It’s easy to alienate buyers with a price that’s too high, but profits quickly drop if the house isn’t priced right. Consider these things when choosing a selling price for your home.
- Market conditions: National and even global economic forces also influence home pricing. These include buyer demand intensity, the current inventory of homes, and the average time homes are on the market in the current climate.
- Comps: This is one of the most important parts of pricing a home to sell fast. Look at comparable sales in your area. Find homes with the same age, architecture, amenities, and size as yours, or as close as possible. This gives you a clear look into what buyers are willing to pay for homes.
- Unique amenities: What individual features and quirks does your home have? If you’ve done any recent renovations, it can add value to the home. Consider all the aspects that make your home unique when setting a price, but also research which upgrades offer the best return on investment.
Stage Your Home for Sale
You’ve set your timeline, picked your price, and now it’s time to prepare your home. You want to find a balance between showing potential buyers a homey space while removing your personal effects so that they can picture their own family there.
Decluttering
Decluttering opens up rooms and makes everything feel bigger. Only keep the essential furniture and staged decorations when a buyer comes through. Since you’re moving, this is a great opportunity to declutter all your possessions and get a fresh start without the extra weight of unnecessary items.
Staging
If you’re working with an agent, they may have a professional stager. Stage your home in a way that matches the architecture and current trends that also embrace the vibrant lifestyle of California. Go for bright accents, airy spaces, and anything that allows for indoor-outdoor living.
Cleaning
A clean home signals to a buyer that you’ve meticulously cared for something expensive they want to purchase. Polish fixtures, scrub baseboards, and freshen up every corner of the home. Handle any stains or smells from pets or food.
Curb Appeal
They say that first impressions are everything, and when a potential buyer pulls up to your house for the first time, you want it to look great. Boost the curb appeal with open spaces common to California. Invest in plants, refresh your garden space, and make sure everything is carefully trimmed before you show the home.
Start Showings and Marketing Your Home
Now it’s time to list and market your home. The listing is significant. Buyers notice details, and errors may lead to false advertising. Take professional photos and videos to maximize visibility. Include the property’s specifics, unique attributes, and essential fees that a buyer may not be aware of. If you’re working with an agent, ask them to get feedback from each person who views the house.
Accept an Offer
You’ve been through the inconvenience of having showings, cleaning up at a moment’s notice, and all the stress that comes from selling a huge investment. Now comes the exciting time. Hopefully, you receive an offer quickly, but don’t feel obligated to accept the first one you receive.
If you receive multiple offers, make sure the one you choose aligns with your timeline. Look closely through any offer to determine if there are hidden costs attached. If you have the information, consider the buyer’s situation. Do they immediately have access to the money, or are they making an offer before they’ve locked down the loan?
Choosing an offer is not just about how much money you’ll make. In most cases, there will be pros and cons for every offer, and you don’t have to accept something that doesn’t feel right. If you don’t want the worry of a buyer being denied a loan, need to offload your house quickly, or require assistance with the paperwork for selling a house without a realtor, consider accepting a cash offer from us at Stars & Stripes Real Estate.
FAQs on Selling Your California Home
How long can I expect it to take to sell my home?
As listed above, 26 days in California is the median, but some houses sell in one day while others take weeks or months. Hopefully, your timeline allows you space to wait until you feel good about the offer you accept.
What is the best time to sell a house in California?
Fall and winter are hard times to sell; summer and spring are ideal. Prices can drop up to 10% during the fall and winter months.
What renovations are most impactful when selling a home?
If you’re making some upgrades, consider what increases the value of your home the most. The return on investment is high for updated kitchens or bathrooms, new garage doors, and improved curb appeal.
Sell My House in California with Stars & Stripes
If you’ve been wondering how to sell my house fast in California, Stars & Stripes Real Estate is here to make the process stress-free, transparent, and tailored to your needs. As a trusted, veteran-owned company serving Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino counties, we help homeowners with repairs, showings, and a drawn-out closing process.
Contact us today to learn more and receive a free consultation.
