The Essential Paperwork Checklist for Selling Your California Home FSBO

A complete guide to documents, disclosures, and required forms for California homeowners selling without a Realtor.

Selling your home For Sale By Owner (FSBO) in California can save you thousands on commission — but it also requires completing more disclosures and compliance forms than almost any other state. This guide outlines every document you need before listing, while under contract, and at closing.

For the full FSBO process, see:
How to Sell Your Home in California Without a Realtor

1. Before You List: Documents to Gather Early

Getting these documents ready early will streamline your California FSBO transaction and help avoid delays later.

  • Property Deed — Proof of ownership to be transferred at closing. What is a deed?
  • Property Survey / Parcel Map — Helps verify lot lines, easements, and structures.
  • HOA Documents (Civil Code §4525) — Includes CC&Rs, budget, bylaws, rules, financials, and the HOA Resale Package.
  • Preliminary Title Report (Prelim) — Shows liens, easements, ownership, and title conditions.
  • Lead-Based Paint Disclosure — Required for homes built before 1978. Lead-based paint disclosure explained
  • Comparable Sales (“Comps”) — Needed for pricing effectively. What are comps in real estate?
  • New to FSBO? What is FSBO in real estate?

2. California-Required Disclosures & Compliance Forms

California has some of the most extensive home-selling disclosure laws in the United States. FSBO sellers are legally required to provide the following forms to the buyer, even without a Realtor.

  • TDS – Transfer Disclosure Statement (Mandatory statewide)
  • SPQ – Seller Property Questionnaire (Standard for CAR transactions)
  • NHD – Natural Hazard Disclosure Report (Earthquake fault zones, flood zones, fire zones, seismic hazards)
  • Earthquake Safety Disclosure (For pre-1960 homes with raised foundations)
  • Environmental Hazard Disclosure (Mold, radon, asbestos, contamination)
  • Megan’s Law Disclosure (Required in all CA transactions)
  • Death on Property Disclosure (If death occurred within 3 years)
  • Mello-Roos / 1915 Bond Disclosure (If applicable)
  • Water Heater Bracing Certification (California Health & Safety Code)
  • Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector Compliance
  • HOA Disclosure Package (Civil Code §4525 resale documents)

For a general understanding of disclosure rules, review: Seller disclosures in real estate explained

3. MLS Listing Requirements for California FSBO Sellers

California sellers must use a flat fee MLS listing service to appear on the MLS, which syndicates your listing to Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and all major portals.

  • MLS Data Input Form — Home features, remarks, showing instructions.
  • Listing Agreement — Required by California MLS boards.
  • Required Disclosures — Must be provided with the listing packet.

Learn how MLS listing works in California:
How to list on the MLS in California with a flat fee MLS listing service

Compare California listing services:
Best flat fee MLS listing services in California

View statewide MLS coverage:
California statewide flat fee MLS listing service coverage map

4. Documents Required When You Receive Offers

  • CAR Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA) — The most widely used contract in California.
  • Proof of Funds (cash buyers)
  • Mortgage Pre-Approval Letter
    Mortgage pre-approval explained
  • Contract Addenda — Inspection contingencies, HOA addenda, repairs, appraisal contingency forms.

5. Documents Required While Under Contract

  • Inspection Report — Typically ordered during the inspection contingency period.
  • Repair Requests / Amendments
  • Appraisal Report — Required for financed buyers.
  • Preliminary Title Report (Updated)
  • HOA Documents — Seller must provide full HOA disclosures under CA Civil Code.
  • Mortgage Payoff Statement
    What is a mortgage payoff?

6. Title, Escrow & Closing Documents in California

7. Complete California FSBO Paperwork Checklist

  • Before Listing: Deed, prelim, HOA docs, lead-based paint, comps.
  • California Disclosures: TDS, SPQ, NHD, environmental hazards, smoke/CO, Mello-Roos, water heater bracing.
  • To List on MLS: MLS input form, listing agreement, required disclosures.
  • When Offers Arrive: CAR contract, proof of funds, pre-approval, addenda.
  • Under Contract: Inspection, repairs, appraisal, updated prelim, HOA docs.
  • At Closing: Escrow instructions, deeds, title insurance, settlement statement, bill of sale.

Ready to Sell Your Home FSBO in California?

Get full MLS exposure while keeping control of your sale. Brokerless provides affordable MLS listing services for California homeowners.

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