If you’re looking to sell your California home, one of the best tools you can add to your arsenal is partnering with a trusted local real estate agent. The real estate market in California is competitive, and selling a home is a complex process.
A trusted local agent with a top real estate brokerage in California can help demystify the process and get you the best value for your property when it hits the open market.
As of August 2024, according to the California Association of Realtors, the average days on the market in California, that is, the time it takes for a home to sell once it has been listed, sits at 22 (up 25% year-over-year). Homes typically sell for a median of $888,740, a 3.7% increase from the previous year. Though home sales in the Golden State have slowed down, the market is still competitive, making it a good time to find a top agent in your area.
This guide will provide you with a list of local trusted agents in your area from top brokerages or real estate companies in California, along with some alternatives to consider, particularly if you need to sell your home fast.
Step One: Talk to a California Real Estate Expert
Connect with a top-performing agent in your California market to get an expert opinion on how much your house will sell for and what to fix before listing.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of specific companies or individuals should not be considered endorsements.
What is a real estate brokerage?
Real estate brokers are professionals with additional training and are licensed to run their own businesses, called brokerages. Agents without a broker’s license must work under a brokerage to legally buy or sell property and typically do so as independent contractors. Most brokerages make money by taking a portion of the agent’s commission from each successful transaction.
Since brokerages profit from agents’ success, it’s in a brokerage’s best interest to support its agents. For sellers, it’s important to consider the kinds of support that a brokerage provides its agents.
This support can often include training, access to large marketing networks, the latest technology, or a large support staff.
Why work with a real estate agent?
There are several reasons why you should consider working with a real estate agent when selling your home rather than selling on your own.
One of the biggest reasons is that selling your home “for sale by owner” will typically net you less overall profit than selling through an agent—23.5% less on average, according to the National Association of Realtors. FSBO homes sold for a median price of $310,000 last year. In comparison, homes sold with the assistance of a real estate agent had a median sale price of $405,000. That’s a difference of $95,000.
Additionally, a real estate agent can help you get more money for your home sale but can also help you wade through a lengthy and complicated sales process.
An agent is your advocate for you and your property, and they can provide insight into their local market or assist you in finding a real estate attorney who can deal with any unexpected complications that might occur.