For Sale by Owner in California [Paperback]

George Devine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 087337570X | ISBN-13: 978-0873375702 | Publication Date: May 1, 2001 | Edition: 5th

Use a broker to sell your home and you can lose up to 6 percent of the selling price to commissions. That means that if you sell your house for $400,000, you could lose up to $24,000.

But you'll save that money if you sell your house yourself -- and it's not hard to do!

Thoroughly revised and scrupulously researched, For Sale By Owner takes you step by step through the entire selling process, from putting the house on the market to transferring the title. Even if you choose to use an agent, this book is a great way to prepare yourself for the home-selling process.

Learn how to:

• pick the best time to sell
• prepare your house for sale
• advertise widely and inexpensively
• attract buyers with creative financing options
• sell while you're buying another house
• set the sales price
• screen buyers for financial feasibility
• make all disclosures required by law
• negotiate with potential buyers
• remove contingencies
• complete the escrow process

Updated to reflect the most recent changes in the California housing market, the 5th edition includes new information on:

* real estate tax laws
* safety and natural hazards disclosure requirements
* online real estate services
* negotiation techniques for real estate transactions

For Sale By Owner includes all the forms you need: the most current disclosure forms, offer and counteroffer, sales contract, contingency releases, deeds, second mortgage note. And all the forms come with complete instructions for filling them out.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is another of Nolo Press's outstanding self-help books, this time targeting a specific California audience of people who, with a little footwork and research, can potentially save thousands of dollars by selling their home without a real estate agent, or lowering the cost of an agent by doing much of the work themselves.

Devine is an award-winning professor of real estate at San Francisco State University and a licensed real estate broker with more than 20 years of experience under his belt. Quite simply, California homeowners, following his advice, can save a bundle by selling their own home. This is the fourth updated edition of the book, incorporating the major changes in the California housing market and state and federal laws, and includes all the latest legal forms in a user-friendly guidebook. --Mark A. Hetts --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

The best all-around guide for do-it-yourself home sellers. -- Los Angeles Times

Well-organized, and writen in a straightforward, clear style. -- San Diego Union-Tribune

When it comes to self-help legal stuff, nobody does a better job than Nolo. -- USA Today

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: Nolo.com; 5th edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087337570X
• ISBN-13: 978-0873375702
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,560,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the Info You Need!, January 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: For Sale by Owner in California - 4th Edition (Paperback)

I had a bought and borrowed a few for-sale-by owner books in order to help me sell my spec houses, but was always very disappointed with how and general and vague they were. This book, however, told me all the info I needed in a very easy-to- follow, step-by-step format. I really feel like I totally understand the process now, thanks to this book. If you follow all the advice and suggestions, you will definitely save thousands on realtor fees.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Did what it was supposed to do, February 5, 2005

By 

Guy in California (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Sale by Owner in California (Paperback)

I sold my house in San Francisco without a broker (my first house sale). The buyer actually drew up the sales contract but this book helped me understand who should pay for what fees.

The only thing that this book lacked that could have gotten me in trouble was that it failed to mention a San Francisco-specific report called the 3R report (the City issues it to list all permits that it has issued for the property). Fortunately I had a friend who was a realtor who checked to make sure I had all the forms.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Save Thousands of Dollars, June 21, 2011

By 

James Mcritchie "Publisher" (Elk Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For Sale By Owner in California (Paperback)

(What's this?)

I used earlier versions of this book to save thousands of dollars by avoiding the need to hire a real estate agent. If you have ever held a garage sale or sold a car without hiring someone else to do it for you, why would you turn over 3% or 6% to a realtor to sell your house? It isn't rocket science!

This simple guide steps you through the whole process from the basic legal requirements to timing, pricing, negotiations and escrow. Plus, unlike earlier versions I used, this has a CD with the all forms you are likely to need (unless your city requires something in addition... be sure to check).

When I sold my last house ten years ago, I entered into a flat fee agreement with a realtor to get it listed on the MLS. I see from the book there are is now a site that will do this for $50 a month. Looking on the Internet, you'll find several such sites.

As the book points out, if you follow its advice and still feel uncomfortable, you can hire an agent or an attorney to look over the paperwork before closure. That is still going to be a lot less expensive than listing with an agent.

I'm in my sixties and have bought and sold several houses, mostly using predecessors of this book. Why flush money down the drain? Do it yourself and get it down right using For Sale by Owner in California by George Devine for Nolo Press.