Selling a home remotely can save you time, travel, and money—but only if you do it right.
If you're living in another state and trying to list a home in California, there’s a few common mistakes that can slow down the sale or cost you thousands.
At ListLean, we help out-of-state sellers get their property on the MLS without hiring a full service agent or flying in. We've seen where remote listings go wrong—and how to fix it.
Here are the top 5 mistakes to avoid when listing your California property from out of state.
Mistake 1: Not Using the MLS
Some sellers try to save money by listing only on Zillow or Facebook Marketplace.
Here’s the problem—most serious buyers and agents look on the MLS first. That’s where the real action is.
The MLS feeds your listing to:
- Zillow
- Redfin
- Realtor.com
- Dozens of brokerage sites
If you skip the MLS, you’re missing out on a huge pool of buyers. And if you’re not there in person, you need as many eyes as possible on your listing.
The good news is, you can get on the MLS without hiring a traditional agent. ListLean lets you do it for a small flat fee, from anywhere.
Mistake 2: Poor Photos or No Photos at All
Photos sell houses.
This is especially true when you're not around to host open houses or meet buyers yourself.
We've seen sellers post 3 blurry photos taken on a phone, then wonder why no one calls.
If you’re remote, hire a professional photographer or even ask a local contact to take clean, well lit pics. Many pros can be found on Yelp or Thumbtack in minutes.
Pro tip: include photos of the front, back, kitchen, bathrooms, and living area. People wanna see more than just the outside.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Local Paperwork Requirements
California has strict disclosure rules.
Whether you live here or not, you’re still legally required to provide the right forms to buyers. That includes:
- Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS)
- Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD)
- Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ)
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if applicable)
If you skip this step or send the wrong docs, it could delay escrow—or worse, open you up to legal issues later.
With ListLean, we give you pre-filled templates and walk you through the must-haves so you stay compliant without stress.
Mistake 4: Relying on Friends or Tenants for Everything
It’s common for out-of-state sellers to ask a friend, family member, or tenant to “handle stuff” locally.
But that’s risky.
Sometimes they’re too busy. Other times they don’t know how to show the home or speak to buyers. Worse—some tenants don’t want the home sold and may discourage showings without telling you.
It’s better to have a clear system:
- Use a lockbox
- Schedule showings through email or text
- Or hire a local showing agent if needed
We can refer one if needed. Either way, try to keep it organized and not leave too much up to others.
Mistake 5: Overpricing Because You’re Out of Touch
If you haven’t been in California for a while, it’s easy to overprice your listing based on outdated comps or assumptions.
That can lead to:
- Fewer inquiries
- Longer time on market
- Buyers assuming something is wrong
The best move is to check active listings and recently sold homes within 1 to 2 miles of your property. Not sure what it should go for? We can give you a CMA (comparative market analysis) or guide you through how to price it competitively.
A slightly lower price can actually earn you more by selling faster.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Overcomplicate It
A lot of remote sellers assume they’ll need to:
- Fly in
- Hire an expensive Realtor
- Be glued to their phone
But really—you can do everything from your laptop.
We’ve seen sellers list, negotiate, and close from Florida, Texas, New York and even Mexico. All they needed was:
- A flat fee MLS listing
- Good photos
- Signed paperwork
- A mobile notary at closing
That’s it.
Real Seller Example: Lisa from Washington
Lisa owned a rental in Anaheim. She moved to Seattle two years ago and wanted to sell fast.
She listed with ListLean, got photos from her handyman, signed everything through email, and used a mobile notary to close.
Sold in 12 days. She never stepped foot in California. Saved over $16,000 in commission.
FAQs
Do I need to be in California at all
Nope. You can handle everything digitally and use a mobile notary for closing.
Can I edit my listing remotely
Yes. Just email us and we’ll update photos, price, or remarks for you.
Do I have to pay a buyer’s agent
It’s optional. Most sellers offer 2 percent, but you decide. We’ll set it up your way.
What if I get stuck on paperwork
We help with all required disclosures and offer transaction support if you want more hands-on help.
Final Thoughts
If you're living out of state and trying to sell a home in California, don’t make the same mistakes we see every week.
Skipping the MLS, bad photos, wrong pricing, or sloppy paperwork can cost you big.
With ListLean, you can list your home from anywhere, stay compliant, and save thousands in commission.
Want to sell smart from out of state
👉 Start your listing or learn how it works
.jpg)
.svg)
.svg)