.jpg)
If you’re an investor selling property in California but living in another state, you’ve probably asked yourself: do I really need to pay a listing agent thousands of dollars just to get on the MLS?
The truth is, more remote investors are skipping the listing agent entirely, and they’re keeping more profits because of it.
At ListLean, we help out-of-state sellers, flippers, and landlords list their properties on the California MLS without hiring a full-service agent. Here’s how remote investors are doing it, and how you can too.
The Old Way vs The Smart Way
Traditionally, if you owned property in California and lived out of state, you had to:
- Hire a full-service Realtor
- Pay 5 to 6 percent in commission
- Give up control of your pricing, showings, and listing
But smart investors are realizing you can still get full MLS exposure and sell like a pro: without overpaying for things you don’t actually need.
Why Investors Are Skipping Listing Agents
Here’s what many remote investors have figured out:
1. MLS Access Doesn’t Have to Cost Thousands
You don’t need to hire a traditional agent to get on the MLS anymore.
With ListLean, you can pay a one-time flat fee, and we’ll list your property on the same MLS used by Realtors—so it feeds into Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and more.
2. You’re Already Doing the Work
Most investors already know how to:
- Price a property based on comps
- Coordinate photos and showings
- Talk to buyers or agents
- Handle paperwork with a TC or title company
So why pay 2.5 or 3 percent just to let someone else upload it?
3. More Profit Per Deal = More Velocity
Every dollar saved on listing fees is more equity you keep.
That’s money for your next flip, next acquistion, or to reinvest in another market. The math makes sense.
How Remote Listing Actually Works
Let’s say you live in Colorado and you’ve got a 4-bedroom rental in Riverside, California.
You want to sell, but you don’t want to:
- Fly out
- Hire a full-service Realtor
- Give away 2.5 percent for MLS access
Here’s what you’d do instead.
Step 1: Prep the Property
You don’t have to be there in person. Many investors:
- Send a photographer
- Coordinate cleanup or repairs remotely
- Use smart locks or neighbors to give buyers access
Step 2: Submit to ListLean
Choose a flat fee plan that fits your needs. We handle:
- All required CA disclosures
- Legal listing input through our broker
- MLS compliance (we’re licensed in CA)
You stay the decision maker for everything else.
Step 3: Review Offers and Close
Once your listing goes live, you’ll start getting interest. You can:
- Talk directly with buyer agents
- Negotiate terms
- Accept offers and close remotely
All docs can be signed digitally. We’ve even had folks list and close from across the country without ever visiting the home.
What Investors Are Saying
A client from New Jersey listed a duplex in Anaheim with us.
He paid under $200, got on the MLS, sold it in 9 days, and saved over $14,000 in listing fees.
“I didn’t need a full Realtor—I just needed the exposure. You guys made it easy.”
That’s what he said. We hear stuff like this weekly.
But What About the Buyer’s Agent
You can choose whether to offer buyer agent commission. Most investors still offer around 2 percent because it attracts more eyeballs.
But unlike full service listing, you’re not forced to pay both sides. You choose.
You’re in Control of the Process
That’s what makes this model so perfect for investors:
- Want to do a price drop? Easy
- Need to update photos or status? Done
- Want to cancel? You can, anytime
You own the listing—you just don’t need to pay full price for it.
Common Questions from Remote Sellers
Do I need to be in California to list?
Nope. Many of our clients never set foot in the state during the whole process.
What if I need help with documents or showings?
We offer add ons like transaction coordination and local showing support if needed.
Is this legal and MLS compliant?
Yes. We’re a licensed California broker. We handle everything by the book, so you’re covered.
Can I list rentals too?
Yes. If you're not selling and just want to lease the unit, we also offer MLS listings for rentals.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an investor selling property in California from another state, you don’t need to hand over your profits to a listing agent.
You don’t need to be there in person, and you don’t need to overthink it.
With ListLean, you can list, respond, negotiate, and close—on your terms, from anywhere.
It’s simple, legal, and saves thousands. Why wouldn’t you.
Ready to list from out of state
👉 See pricing here or start your remote listing now
.svg)
.svg)