Start here before anything else. Are you buying another home after you sell? Do you need the proceeds from this sale for your next down payment? Are there school-year constraints, job changes, or lease agreements affecting when you need to move? Your timeline affects every decision that follows — your pricing strategy, how aggressively you prep the home, whether a rent-back makes sense, and how you'll negotiate offers. Get this clear in your own mind before you call an agent.

Not a Zestimate. Not a neighbor's opinion. A real Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from an agent who knows Downey's streets and has pulled actual recent sales. A CMA looks at homes similar to yours — in size, condition, location, and features — that have sold in the last 90 days. It's the most honest picture of what the market will pay for your home right now. This conversation should happen before you make a single prep decision.

Buyers decide fast. Their first impression of your home — the listing photos, the curb, the moment they walk through the door — determines whether they're interested or not. Declutter, deep clean, handle small deferred maintenance items, freshen paint where needed, and improve curb appeal. You don't need to remodel anything. You need the home to look clean, cared-for, and move-in ready. See the full home prep guide for specifics.

Interview agents. Ask about their recent Downey sales — not just the county, specifically Downey. Ask how they price homes, how they market them, what their list-to-sale ratio looks like, and how they communicate. You're hiring someone to represent your biggest financial asset. Take it seriously. The cheapest commission isn't always the best deal if the agent underprices your home or can't negotiate effectively.

Pricing is the single most important decision you'll make. Set it right and you attract serious buyers quickly, generate competition, and close strong. Price it too high and you'll sit on the market, attract no offers, and eventually chase the market down with price reductions — which signal desperation and invite low offers. In Downey, well-priced homes sell. Overpriced ones become cautionary tales.

Your listing photos are your first showing. Most buyers today see your home online before they ever step inside. Professional photography is non-negotiable. Beyond photos, your agent should push your listing across the MLS, major real estate portals, social media, and their own buyer network. The first two weeks on market are your peak window — maximum exposure matters most right then.

Be as flexible as possible with showing requests. Every showing is a potential offer. Keep the home in showing condition throughout — beds made, surfaces clear, trash out, pets managed. A motivated buyer can show up with an agent on short notice. Make it easy to see your home and you'll hear from more of them.

When offers come in, look at the full picture: purchase price, loan type, contingencies, earnest money, close date, and any requests for seller concessions. A higher price with weak terms may be worse than a slightly lower price from a clean, strong buyer. Your agent will walk you through each offer and help you decide whether to accept, counter, or pass.

Once you accept an offer, escrow opens. Your main responsibilities during escrow are to respond promptly to requests, make disclosures on time, allow access for inspections and the appraisal, and keep the property in the agreed condition. If the buyer requests repairs after their inspection, your agent will advise you on what's reasonable to agree to and what isn't.

Your signing appointment takes 20–30 minutes — you're signing the grant deed, seller closing disclosure, and a few other documents. The buyer does their final walkthrough one to five days before closing. Be out of the home — or on schedule to be out — by recording day. Once the county records the deed, the sale is complete and your proceeds will wire to you the same day or the next business day.