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January 20, 2025 | 714-336-0394 | Scot@CampbellRealtors.com | Broker of Record – Coldwell Banker-Campbell Realtors
If you’re having thoughts of selling your home in Huntington Beach, you probably have questions.
This comprehensive FAQ covers everything from pricing and closing costs to selling strategies and market timing. Whether you’re a first-time seller or a seasoned pro, these answers will help you navigate the home-selling process with confidence.
How Much Is My House Worth?
Determining your home’s value is one of the most critical steps when selling. Here are your options:
Hire a Real Estate Agent: A local Huntington Beach agent will provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) based on recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood.
Online Research: Use tools on your agent’s website or other sites like: Zillow & Realtor.com to compare similar properties nearby. Focus on recent sales of homes similar to your home in living area, location, and features.
Get an Appraisal: If there is a lack of good sales comparables or you have a very unique property, a professional home appraiser can provide a much more accurate valuation than Zillow. The appraiser will use Standards of Professional Practice which result in a more precise value estimate when good sales comparables are not available.
What Are Contingencies?
Contingencies are conditions that must be met for a real estate deal to proceed. Common examples include:
- Buyer’s Home Sale Contingency: The buyer can cancel the contract if their current home doesn’t sell.
- Inspection Contingency: The sale depends on a satisfactory home inspection.
- Financing Contingency: The buyer must secure a mortgage for the deal to close.
- Disclosure Contingency: The buyer typically has 2 to 5 days to back out of the transaction based on what they read in the disclosure reports.
Contingencies protect buyers and sellers but can slow down the process if not managed carefully. A good experienced real estate agent can manage the contingencies and reduce the time frames significantly. Most importantly, they will have the buyers removed the contingencies in writing as the time frames come to an end. The sooner the buyer has removed all the continencies in writing, the better… and more likely that the property will successfully close escrow.
How Much Are Closing Costs for Sellers?
While buyers typically pay most closing costs, sellers are responsible for key expenses:
- Agent Commissions: Usually 4% to 5% of the final sale price, split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents.
- Pre-Sale Repairs: Sellers may spend around $5,000 on home prep, such as cleaning, staging, or minor repairs.
- Disclosure Reports, HOA Disclosures, and Termite Report can be $250 to $1,000.
- Other Costs: Transfer taxes, title insurance, and escrow fees add up to about ½ of one percent of the sale price.
- The buyer may ask for general repairs, termite treatment, and wood repairs upon review of their inspections and the termite report. These items vary in cost.
When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Huntington Beach?
The best time to sell is spring and early summer (March through June). Here’s why:
- School Schedules: Families aim to move before the new school year begins.
- Curb Appeal: Homes look their best with Huntington Beach’s sunny weather and vibrant landscaping.
- Longer Days: More daylight means more time for showings.
- 2nd Home Buyers: Huntington Beach is a resort area favored by 2nd Home Buyers. They like to purchase and be into the home by early May.
What Is a Home Appraisal?
The appraiser will use Standards of Professional Practice to form a precise value estimate, especially when good sales comparables are available. The appraisal estimates your home’s market value, and is submitted to the lender. The investor who funds the loan wants to verify that the property value aligns with the contract sale price. Appraisers evaluate:
- Location, square footage, layout, upgrades, features, and condition of the home
- Comparable recent sales of homes similar to your home
- The indicated value of your home based on comparison to the similar homes which recently sold in your neighborhood
Appraisals typically cost around $750-$1,500 and are often required by the buyers’ lender.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?
The average timeline in Huntington Beach is 30-60 days, depending on market conditions. However, we have many homes which are sold to cash buyers with closings in as little as 14 days. Factors that impact timing include:
- Pricing: Accurately priced homes sell faster and receive more offers.
- Market Demand: Low inventory or a seller’s market speeds up sales, while a buyer’s market may result in a longer marketing period.
- Preparation: Homes with great curb appeal and staging attract more buyers and sell more quickly… often with multiple offers.
How Can I Increase My Home’s Value?
Focus on upgrades that provide the best return on investment:
- Decluttering & Cleaning: Removing excess furniture, staging, and cleaning offer the best return.
- Fresh Paint and Flooring: Neutral paint and new flooring can make a big impact.
- Curb Appeal: Refresh landscaping, repaint the exterior, and repair walkways.
- Energy Efficiency & Technology: A new furnace & air conditioning,tankless water heater, and smart home devices.
Who pays Realtor Fees and how much are they?
The seller definitely pays the real estate commission for the Seller’s (Listing) Agent. This agent is in charge of helping to prepare the home for the market, estimating market value, the image package (professional photography, 3D Tour, 2D Floorplan Drawing, drone images, and video), advertising program, showings, open houses, and managing all the aspects of the escrow. The listing agent commission varies from agent-to-agent based on quality of service and experience. Many agents in Huntington Beach quote 2% to 3% for the listing commission depending on the price of the property.
The commission to the buyer’s agent depends upon the meeting of the minds between the buyer and their agent. The amount of the commission will be written into a Buyer Representation Agreement, and in most cases the buyer’s agent will request that the seller pay the buyer agent commission when they write the offer on the home desired by the buyer.
In Huntington Beach the commission for the buyer’s agent payable by the seller can vary from zero to 3% depending on what the buyer and their agent agreed. Some buyers want to pay the commission to their agent direct so that the property tax assessment is lower.
What Should I Disclose to Buyers?
Honesty is key to avoiding legal issues. Always disclose the defects and past repairs that you are aware of and items which may be of concern to the buyer including:
- Environmental Hazards: Lead paint, asbestos, radon, or mold
- Pest Problems: Termite damage, rodent issues, or infestations
- Structural Defects: Roof leaks, plumbing problems, or electrical issues
- Neighborhood Information: HOA rules, property disputes, or zoning issues
- Insurance claims: Past claims for flooding, fires, or weather damage should be disclosed to the buyer
Final Thoughts
Selling your Huntington Beach home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding the key steps—from pricing and contingencies to closing costs and timing—you can navigate the process confidently and maximize your home’s value.
Important tip: Do not assume listing your home with a big “team” or “group” will result in you working with the most knowledgeable and experienced agent. While the “teams” tout their success in closing many homes and being #1 (in the state, country, or universe), the fact is they have many realtors who give “credit” to just one “team leader”. When listing your home, you may speak to that team leader initially, but your file will most likely be passed to a junior associate for the remainder of the transaction. The junior associate will have nowhere near the education, experience, and skill to be found in a top individual Realtor working in your market. A top individual agent will have assistants that help with photography, marketing, and transaction paperwork, but the important transaction tasks will be handled by the Realtor you hired!
