SELLING IN CALIFORNIA
Complete compliance guide for selling your home in California. Meydomo handles all state-specific requirements, MLS compliance, and legal disclosures.
Last updated November 10, 2025
Agent always available. $199 today, $999 at closing—no 6% surprises.
Licensed Qualifying Broker Supervision
Every Meydomo transaction in California operates under the supervision of a licensed Qualifying Broker who ensures full regulatory compliance:
- • Daily: Review all new listings, price changes, and advertising
- • Weekly: Audit 10% of active files for compliance
- • Monthly: Reconcile trust accounts and verify licenses
- • 24/7 Escalation: Call (448) 408-1873 and press 9 for direct Broker access
- • Coverage: E&O insurance on every transaction
AI handles the volume. Broker ensures compliance. You get both for $199 + $999.
California Real Estate Overview
California has some of the most detailed real estate laws in the country. Closings are handled through escrow companies and title companies. California law heavily regulates real estate brokerage activities with extensive disclosure requirements.
Federal Compliance Checklist
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Disclosure
Federal law (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992) requires sellers of homes built before 1978 to disclose any known lead-based paint or lead hazards and provide buyers with the EPA’s lead hazard information pamphlet. Buyers must also be given a 10-day opportunity to conduct a lead paint inspection or waive that right.
Fair Housing Act (No Discriminatory Advertising)
Under the federal Fair Housing Act, sellers (and their agents) must not publish any advertisement for the listing that expresses a discriminatory preference based on protected classes (e.g. race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin). For example, statements such as 'no children' or other exclusions in home listings are unlawful.
State-Level Rules Sellers Must Follow
Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS)
California law (Cal. Civ. Code §1102, et seq.) requires sellers of 1–4 unit residential properties to provide buyers with a completed Transfer Disclosure Statement. The TDS includes information about the property’s condition, known defects, and any significant repairs or alterations made. Sellers must personally complete the TDS, and listing agents cannot fill it out on the seller’s behalf.
Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD)
Sellers in California must also give buyers a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement if the property lies in certain hazard zones (e.g., special flood hazard area, very high fire hazard severity zone, earthquake fault/seismic hazard zone). This disclosure is usually accomplished by providing a report from a third-party NHD reporting company, as required by Cal. Civil Code §1103.
Other State-Mandated Disclosures
California imposes various other disclosure requirements. For example, sellers must certify compliance with smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm installation laws (and strap water heaters). Sellers of pre-1978 homes must provide the federal lead paint disclosure and pamphlet. The sale contract must include a notice about the statewide database of registered sex offenders (Megan’s Law notice). If the property was built before 1960, the seller must give the buyer an earthquake safety guidebook. If the property is in a condominium or HOA, extensive common interest disclosure documents are required (usually provided during escrow).
County & City Considerations
City Ordinances (Los Angeles Example)
Many California cities have point-of-sale ordinances. For example, Los Angeles requires sellers to obtain a “9A” Residential Property Report from the city and deliver it to the buyer prior to closing. This report covers local compliance items like smoke alarms, proper water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and seismic gas shutoff valve installation. Other cities (San Francisco, Berkeley, etc.) have their own requirements, such as energy or water conservation inspections, retrofit of certain fixtures, or sidewalk repair certifications at sale.
Seller Disclosure Requirements
What sellers must disclose in California:
- Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) required by law (Civil Code §§ 1102 et seq.)
- Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) Statement for hazard zones
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure for pre-1978 homes
- Mello-Roos and special taxes disclosure
- HOA information package required (Civil Code § 4525)
- Deaths on property in last 3 years must be disclosed
- Smoke Detector and Water Heater compliance certification
MLS Rules & Listing Logistics
MLS Rules (CRMLS and Others)
California’s MLS systems (e.g., CRMLS in Southern California, MLSListings in Silicon Valley) require a signed listing agreement and prompt entry of new listings. Under the Clear Cooperation policy, if a listing is publicly advertised, it must be added to the MLS within 1 business day. Most MLSs require at least one exterior photo to be uploaded (CRMLS requires a photo within 5 days of listing). Changes in status (such as an accepted offer) must be reported to the MLS in a timely manner. MLS remarks and media are reviewed to ensure no violation of Fair Housing rules or MLS advertising policies.
How Much Equity You Keep on a $833,000 Sale
Every seller sees the math before launch. We assume a $24,990 buyer-agent incentive (3%) across all options so you can compare apples-to-apples with “flat fee” services that tack on a percentage at closing.
| Option | Upfront Fees | Due at Closing | Total Listing Cost | Buyer Agent (3%) | Total Listing & Selling Costs | Savings vs 6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meydomo Flat-Fee MLS1 | $199 | $999 | $1,198 | $24,990 | $26,188 | $23,792 |
| Housecoin “Flat Fee”2 | $0 | $8,330 | $8,330 | $24,990 | $33,320 | $16,660 |
| Houzeo Silver Plan3 | $249 | $4,165 | $4,414 | $24,990 | $29,404 | $20,576 |
| Traditional 6% Agent4 | $0 | $24,990 | $24,990 | $24,990 | $49,980 | — |
* Buyer-agent line assumes a 3% incentive across every scenario. Sellers can set Meydomo buyer-agent payouts anywhere from 2% to 3%.
1 Meydomo pricing: $199 to launch, $999 at close. Buyer-agent incentives remain optional.
2 Housecoin advertises no upfront cost but charges 1% of sale price at close (marketed as “flat fee”).
3 Houzeo Silver plan: $249 list fee plus 0.5% at close, subject to $999 minimum (houzeo.com/pricing).
4 Traditional listing assumed 3% listing-side commission and 3% buyer-agent commission (typical 6% split).
California Seller FAQ
How does Meydomo's $999 service work for sellers in California?
We handle MLS entry, buyer-agent coordination, disclosures, and closing support under the supervision of a licensed Qualifying Broker. You pay $199 today and $999 when the deal closes—no percentage commission. Every transaction includes daily Broker review, weekly file audits, and professional oversight.
Who supervises the AI agents in California?
Our licensed Qualifying Broker maintains non-delegable supervisory responsibility for all transactions. The Broker performs daily reviews of new listings and price changes, weekly audits of active files (minimum 10%), monthly trust account reconciliation, and immediate intervention for complex situations. This ensures full compliance with state real estate laws.
Can I still offer buyer-agent commission in California?
Yes. You decide what to offer buyer agents (often 2–3%). Meydomo publishes it in the MLS and we show how it affects your net in the cost table and calculator. Our Broker reviews all commission structures for compliance.
What happens when an agent calls from California?
Our AI agents answer inbound calls instantly with licensed Qualifying Broker oversight, qualify buyers, and route serious inquiries to you or your transaction coordinator so you never miss momentum. The Broker monitors all interactions for compliance and intervenes when professional judgment is needed.
Can I get compliance help with California disclosures?
Yes. We walk you through every required form, double-check timelines, and keep a shared checklist so nothing slips through state or MLS rules. Our Qualifying Broker reviews all disclosures before publication to ensure legal compliance.
How can I reach the Qualifying Broker directly?
Direct Broker escalation is available 24/7. Call (448) 408-1873 and press 9 for priority routing, or email broker-escalation@meydomo.com. Response time is within 4 hours for urgent matters, 24 hours for general concerns. The Broker handles complex negotiations, regulatory issues, and any situation requiring professional real estate judgment.
Tools to Plan Your California Sale
Commission Savings Calculator
See the exact dollars you keep in California: $11,000-$24,000 savings vs traditional $12,000-$25,000 commissions.
Launch tool →Offer Comparison Grid
Line up every California offer and see which terms actually deliver the highest net.
Launch tool →Closing Timeline Planner
Map every disclosure, inspection, and funding deadline required in California.
Launch tool →Commission Savings in California
Compare a traditional 6% listing with Meydomo's $199 upfront + $999 at closing. Adjust the buyer-agent incentive to match your plan.
Enter a sale price and commission assumptions to see the dollar impact of Meydomo's flat fee.
Closing Timeline Generator
Timeline automation ships in Phase 2. Beta testers get first access when we roll out inspection, financing, and escrow countdowns.
Explore the toolMarket Insights & Trends (2024-2025)
Current Market Data
- • Median home price: ~$833,000 (March 2025, highest in continental US)
- • Year-over-year growth: +6%
- • Bay Area stabilized after 2022-2023 softening
- • Los Angeles/Southern California market remained robust
- • Chronically low inventory limiting supply
- • Buyers extremely rate-sensitive due to high prices
Cities We Serve in California
Meydomo provides comprehensive MLS coverage and compliance expertise across all major population centers in California.
Rank #1
Los Angeles
Estimated population: 3,918,872
Rank #2
San Diego
Estimated population: 1,374,812
Rank #3
San Jose
Estimated population: 1,009,363
Rank #4
San Francisco
Estimated population: 850,282
Rank #5
Fresno
Estimated population: 513,807
Rank #6
Sacramento
Estimated population: 484,530
Don't see your city listed?
We serve every community in California.
Call (448) 408-1873 and we’ll assemble the right local team.
Our California Broker Network
Meydomo partners with top-tier California brokers experienced in high-value transactions and complex disclosure requirements.
Ready to sell in California?
Now that you know the requirements, start your $999 flat-fee listing and keep more of your equity.
Start for $199 (pay $999 at closing)