Selling and buying without an agent in California

Who runs your closing

California is an escrow state. A neutral escrow company, usually working alongside a title company, holds the funds and documents, handles the title search and title insurance, prepares the settlement statement, and records the deed with the county. You do not need a real estate attorney to close a normal sale, though you can hire one to review your contract if you want the comfort.

What you must disclose

California has one of the more demanding disclosure regimes in the country. A seller of a home with one to four units must give the buyer a Transfer Disclosure Statement covering the condition of the property and known issues, and that requirement cannot be waived even in an “as is” sale. You will also encounter a Natural Hazard Disclosure for flood, fire, and earthquake zones. Fill these out from your actual knowledge and do not guess.

Transfer taxes

There is no statewide transfer tax, but counties charge a documentary transfer tax, commonly $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price. On top of that, a number of cities add their own transfer tax, and in places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland it can be substantial on higher-priced homes. Check both your county and your city rate before you estimate your costs.

The bottom line for doing it yourself

Selling or buying without an agent in California is well supported by the escrow system, which does the heavy procedural lifting for both sides. Your main jobs are pricing, the disclosure paperwork, and watching the city transfer tax if you are in a high-tax municipality.