How to Sell Your Home in California Without a Realtor (2025 Guide)
Avoid 6% commissions and stay in control of your sale. This guide explains how to sell your home FSBO (For Sale By Owner) in California — including pricing, MLS access, disclosures, escrow, and closing rules.
List Your California Home FSBO on the MLS →
🏡 Why Sell Your Home Without a Realtor in California?
- ✅ Save $20,000+ by avoiding 5–6% agent commissions
- ✅ California buyers actively search on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com
- ✅ A Flat Fee MLS listing gives you full exposure at a fraction of the cost
- ✅ Escrow companies manage closing — attorneys are optional
📋 Step-by-Step: How to Sell Your House FSBO in California
- Price Your Home Accurately — Review comparable sales, Redfin estimates, and California market trends. Pricing is the #1 factor in time-to-sale.
- Order a California Flat Fee MLS Listing — Your home will be listed on CRMLS or your local California MLS + Realtor.com + Zillow. Learn more: Best Flat Fee MLS Companies in California.
- Prepare for Showings — California buyers expect clean presentation, HD photos, and curb appeal. Consider staging if your area is competitive.
- Handle Inquiries Directly — With Brokerless, buyers contact you directly. Learn how: How Buyers Contact Sellers.
- Review Offers — Evaluate price, contingencies, appraisal requirements, and closing timelines. If you receive multiple offers, read: How to Negotiate Multiple Offers FSBO.
- Complete California Forms & Disclosures — California has some of the strictest disclosure laws in the U.S.
- Close Through Escrow — California closings are handled by an escrow company, not an attorney. They coordinate everything.
📢 Where Your California FSBO Listing Will Appear
Your MLS listing will syndicate automatically to:
- Realtor.com
- Zillow
- Trulia
- Redfin
- Thousands of IDX brokerage sites statewide
View full MLS coverage: California Statewide Flat Fee MLS Coverage.
📑 Required Disclosures When Selling FSBO in California
California has some of the most robust disclosure laws in the country. Required FSBO disclosures often include:
- Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS)
- Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD)
- Mello-Roos / Special Tax disclosures
- HOA documents & CC&Rs
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if built before 1978)
- Water heater bracing disclosure
- Smoke detector compliance
- Environmental hazards disclosure (as required)
Brokerless provides the necessary disclosure forms during the listing process.
🏦 How Closing Works in California (FSBO)
California is an escrow state. Escrow officers handle the entire closing process, including:
- Title search & insurance
- Escrow management
- Loan payoff coordination
- Earnest money deposits
- Signing appointments
- Recording with the county
No attorney is required for most California home sales.
📚 California FSBO Resources
🚀 Ready to Sell Your California Home Without a Realtor?
Get top-tier exposure on Realtor.com, Zillow, and your local California MLS for one low flat fee. Keep control. Save thousands. Sell your home your way.