It’s incredibly frustrating when your Los Angeles home sits on the market until your real estate listing agreement expires without a sale. The excitement you felt signing the listing contract can quickly turn into disappointment when months pass and your house still hasn’t sold. If you’re facing an expired real estate listing, you’re probably wondering what went wrong and what to do next. You might be asking yourself:
- Was the issue the price or something I did wrong?
- Did my real estate agent fail me, and should I find a different agent?
- How long after a real estate contract expires can an owner sell privately?
- Should I try selling my house on my own now, or is there another option?
Don’t worry – you’re not alone, and you do have options. Tricia Watts, a seasoned Los Angeles real estate investor and founder of MaxNet Homes (as seen on HGTV’s Flipping 101), has helped many homeowners navigate this exact situation. She understands how discouraging an expired listing can be and believes in providing homeowners with straightforward, compassionate guidance.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about an expired listing and how to still get your house sold. You’ll learn what an expired listing means, why it might have happened, how soon you can sell your house after the contract ends, and what steps you can take next. Most importantly, we’ll explore solutions tailored for Los Angeles homeowners, including the possibility of a quick, hassle-free sale to a cash buyer. Let’s dive in.
Understanding Real Estate Listing Contracts
A real estate listing agreement is the legal contract between you (the home seller) and your real estate agent or broker.
This agreement outlines each party’s responsibilities, the length of time the agent will represent you, and the commission the agent will earn if your home sells. Listing agreements typically last anywhere from 3 to 6 months (sometimes up to a year for unique or high-end properties). No matter the duration, it’s always disheartening when the contract period ends and your home hasn’t sold.
Not all listing agreements are the same.
In California and elsewhere, there are several types of listing contracts, each with different levels of agent involvement and seller flexibility:
- Open Listing: This non-exclusive agreement allows multiple agents (or even the owner) to try to sell the home.
Only the agent who brings a successful buyer earns a commission, and if you find a buyer yourself, you won’t owe any agent a commission. Open listings are uncommon (especially in competitive markets like Los Angeles) because agents have less incentive to invest heavy marketing effort without an exclusive contract.
It’s usually used only in situations with very limited interest or when a seller is testing the waters. - Exclusive Agency Listing: This agreement gives one agent or brokerage the right to represent your home sale, but still allows you to find a buyer on your own. If the agent sells your home, they earn the commission as usual. However, if you end up finding the buyer without the agent’s involvement (for example, through a friend or your own advertising), you don’t owe the agent a commission. Many real estate brokers don’t favor exclusive agency listings because if the seller sells the house solo (often as a FSBO – For Sale By Owner), the agent’s efforts yield no reward. As a result, this type is also relatively rare, but it can appeal to experienced sellers who want an agent’s help and the option to avoid commission if they locate a buyer themselves.
- Exclusive Right-to-Sell Listing: This is the most common listing agreement in Los Angeles and virtually everywhere.
You grant one agent the exclusive right to market and sell your home, typically by listing it on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and handling all showings, negotiations, and paperwork.
Even if you as the seller find a buyer independently, under an exclusive right-to-sell agreement you still owe the agent their commission. In exchange, the agent commits to investing time and resources to get your home sold.
Nearly all full-service listings in California use this contract type, as it provides the agent assurance they’ll be compensated for their work as long as the house sells during the contract period. - Net Listing: A net listing is an unusual arrangement (and one not used by most reputable agents due to ethical concerns).
In a net listing, you set a specific “net” price you want to receive for your home, and the agent keeps any amount above that price as their commission.
For example, if you agree you need $500,000 net and the home sells for $550,000, the agent pockets $50,000.
Net listings are legal in California (as well as a few other states like Texas and Florida), but they are highly discouraged because they can create a conflict of interest.
An agent could be tempted to undersell your home quickly for just above your net price, or conversely, hold out for a higher price primarily to increase their payout – neither scenario truly puts the seller’s best interest first.
Because of these risks, you’ll rarely encounter net listings in Los Angeles, and many brokerages outright forbid them.
Understanding what type of listing agreement you signed is important, because it affects your rights and what happens when the contract ends. Most Los Angeles homeowners sign an exclusive right-to-sell agreement by default.
Next, let’s look at what it means when that agreement expires.
What Happens When a Real Estate Listing Contract Expires?
When your listing contract reaches its end date without a sale, it becomes an expired listing. At that point, your agent will remove your home from the market (it will no longer appear as an active listing on the MLS and home search websites). You are no longer obligated to work with that agent, and you generally won’t relist the property unless you sign a new agreement (either with the same agent or a new one).
After a listing expires, it’s a smart idea to take a step back and reflect on what might have prevented the sale. In a dynamic market like Los Angeles, houses can sometimes still sit unsold due to various factors. Ask yourself and your agent for honest feedback on key aspects of your listing:
- Price: Was your asking price too high relative to similar homes in your neighborhood? In LA’s market, buyers are savvy about value, and even in a hot market an overpriced home can turn them off.
- Condition and Staging: Did the home presentation impress buyers? Consider any feedback you received about the home’s condition, necessary repairs, or staging. Perhaps the property could use some updates or better staging to attract offers.
- Marketing and Exposure: How was your home marketed? If there were very few showings or inquiries, it could be that not enough potential buyers knew your home was for sale. Maybe the listing photos didn’t do it justice or the online listing description wasn’t compelling.
Many homeowners in this situation decide it’s time for a fresh approach. It’s common to switch to a different real estate agent for a new perspective and strategy. A new agent might have a different marketing plan, a broader network of buyers, or suggestions for improvements that your first agent overlooked.
Tricia Watts notes that sometimes just bringing in a new agent with a fresh set of eyes can make a world of difference: “A new agent can revitalize a stale listing with updated photos, a better pricing strategy, or new marketing channels. In Los Angeles, where each neighborhood is unique, getting an agent who truly knows your local area can turn an expired listing into a successful sale.”
It can also be wise to take a brief break from the market. By temporarily keeping your home off-market for a little while, you give yourself time to address any issues (like repairs or deep cleaning) and allow the buyer pool to rese
In fact, the MLS in Southern California has rules about relisting: if you relist the property after a short break (usually 30+ days), it may appear as a “new” listing to buyers, which can spark renewed interest.
After a pause and some tweaks, re-entering the market can make a tired listing feel fresh again.
Above all, remember that an expired listing does not mean your house won’t ever sell. Plenty of Los Angeles homes sell on the second try after changes are made. But before you rush to put the home back up for sale, there’s an important consideration: timing. That brings us to the big question:
How Long After a Real Estate Contract Expires Can an Owner Sell Privately?
If your listing agreement has expired and you’re thinking about selling your house privately (for example, selling directly to a buyer without an agent, or to a real estate investor), you might be eager to get started right away. But hold on! Most listing contracts include a clause that affects how soon you can sell to a new buyer. This is typically known as a protection clause or “tail period.”
In California, the standard listing agreement often has a protection period of around 60 to 90 days after expiration. This means if your home sells during that window to someone who originally saw the house or learned about it through your listing agent, the agent is still entitled to their commission. The idea is to protect the agent from being cut out of a deal that they essentially initiated. For example, say a buyer toured your Los Angeles home while it was listed, but didn’t make an offer until after your contract expired. If you sell to that buyer during the protected period, you’d owe a commission to your original agent (even though you’re no longer formally listed with them).
What does this mean for you? If you intend to sell privately immediately after your listing expires, you need to be careful who you sell to. If the buyer had any interaction with your property through your former agent (a showing, received the listing info, etc.), the agent could come back and demand their fee.
On the other hand, if you find a completely new buyer who had no connection to the agent, you generally wouldn’t owe a commission. However, proving that can sometimes be tricky, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Bottom line: To avoid any conflicts or unexpected bills, it’s often recommended to wait until the protection period ends (usually about 2–3 months) before finalizing a private sale to a buyer that your agent didn’t provide. Always check the exact terms in your listing agreement – it will state how long that protection period lasts. If in doubt, consult with a real estate attorney or have an honest conversation with your former agent about potential buyers.
Once that window has passed, you are free to sell to anyone privately without owing your previous agent a dime.
(One exception: If you decide to relist with the same agent right away, you don’t have to wait – you can simply renew or extend the contract and continue trying to sell with them. The waiting period mainly matters if you switch agents or sell without any agent.)
Now that you know you can still sell after an expired listing (just with a bit of patience), let’s examine why the home didn’t sell the first time. Understanding the cause will help you decide your best next step.
Why Did My Listing Expire? Common Reasons Homes Don’t Sell
There are many reasons a home in Los Angeles might end up as an expired listing. It’s rarely just “bad luck.” Identifying what went wrong can prevent you from repeating mistakes. Here are some common factors that cause listings to expire without a sale:
1. Unreasonable or High Pricing
Price is the number one factor in most real estate sales. If your home was priced well above what comparable homes (comps) were selling for, buyers and their agents likely wrote it off early. Even in a desirable Los Angeles neighborhood, buyers have a keen sense of market value. Overpricing can severely limit interest – today’s buyers often won’t even bother to tour a home if they feel the price is unjustified.
It’s possible your agent suggested a realistic price but you hoped for more and listed higher. Or perhaps your agent themselves misjudged the market (this can happen if an agent is inexperienced or unfamiliar with your area, or if they promised a high price to win your listing). Either way, if price was the issue, you’ll notice signs: very few showings, no offers at all, or feedback from buyers like “we liked the house, but it’s overpriced.”
Tip: The Los Angeles market moves quickly, so re-evaluate your home’s value using current sales data. Even a few months can change market conditions. Check recent sales in your neighborhood and be objective about how your home compares. Tricia Watts often advises clients, “If no one made a serious offer in 6 months, the market is telling us something. We may need to adjust the price to what buyers are willing to pay, or improve the home’s appeal to justify the price.”
2. Poor Communication with Your Agent
Selling a home is a team effort between you and your agent. If communication broke down, things can fall through the cracks. Maybe your agent wasn’t keeping you updated, so you had no idea what buyers were saying or how the marketing was going. Or conversely, maybe you weren’t responding to your agent’s requests (for example, to declutter the home for better showings) or to make a minor repair, and thus the home didn’t show as well as it could have.
A good agent should give you regular feedback and be honest about what’s working or not. And as a seller, you should feel comfortable asking questions and voicing concerns. When that two-way communication doesn’t happen, the sale effort can stagnate. If you felt ignored by your agent or felt like you two were never on the same page, it could have contributed to the listing expiring.
For next time, ensure you choose an agent who communicates well. In a busy city like Los Angeles, an agent who promptly returns calls, emails, or texts and keeps you in the loop is crucial. You should know about every showing, every bit of buyer feedback, and any changes in the market that might affect your sale. Lack of communication = missed opportunities.
3. Poor Photography and Home Presentation
In today’s digital age, first impressions happen online. If your listing photos were dark, blurry, or unflattering, many buyers likely scrolled right past your home. Similarly, if the home wasn’t staged or at least tidied up for photos and showings, it might have appeared smaller, darker, or more cluttered than it truly was.
Los Angeles buyers have high expectations – with so much content out there (think HGTV shows and Instagram-worthy interiors), presentation matters. Professional real estate photography and attractive staging (or at least a well-kept, depersonalized space) can significantly boost buyer interest.
Think back: were your MLS photos doing your home justice? If you only had a few pictures, or they showcased odd angles and mess, that could be a big reason the listing didn’t generate calls. Likewise, how were the showings that did happen? If the home was consistently messy, had pet odors, or was difficult to schedule visits for, buyers may have moved on to easier options.
The good news is this is very fixable. High-quality real estate photos and virtual tours paired with some basic staging or decorating changes can completely change how buyers perceive your home. It might be worth investing in these if you relist – many agents even include professional photos and staging consults as part of their service in the LA market.
4. Lack of Marketing Exposure
Just putting a sign in the yard and adding the listing to the MLS isn’t always enough – especially in a competitive market. If your agent didn’t actively promote your property, that could explain the low interest. Effective marketing might include open houses, social media posts, email blasts to prospective buyers and other agents, listings on popular real estate websites, flyers, etc.
Ask yourself: What did your agent actually do to market your home? Did you see your home featured on Instagram or Facebook? Were there multiple well-advertised open house events? Did your agent network with other agents who have buyers looking in your area? In Los Angeles, there are often hundreds of listings competing for attention at any given time. Without a strong marketing push, your listing might have been drowned out by the noise.
Another aspect of exposure is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) details. If your home was listed with incorrect info or missing key selling points (for example, failing to mention your ADU potential or recent kitchen remodel), buyers’ agents might have filtered it out of searches. Every detail counts in grabbing attention.
If marketing seemed to be the issue, a new agent with a robust marketing plan could make a big difference if you relist. Make sure to ask any prospective new agent how they plan to get the word out to both local buyers and the wider pool of buyers moving within or to Los Angeles.
5. Factors Beyond Your Control
Sometimes, even if you and your agent did everything right, external factors can derail a sale. Real estate can be unpredictable, and certain things about your property or the market simply might have worked against you during the listing period. For example:
- Market Conditions: If the real estate market shifted (say, interest rates spiked or a pandemic hit) during your listing term, buyer demand could have cooled unexpectedly.
- Location Drawbacks: Perhaps your property is on a busy street, near a noisy airport or train, or lacks parking – these are things you can’t change but they do affect buyer interest.
- Unique Property Features: A very unusual layout or an older home without updates in a market full of new construction can make a sale tougher. Even the lack of natural light in a home or being in a flood-prone or wildfire-prone zone can give buyers pause.
- Psychological Stigma: In California, sellers must disclose if a significant event like a death occurred in the home in the past 3 years. If your home had such a disclosure, some buyers may have been skittish for personal reasons.
Don’t be too hard on yourself – many homes have challenges, yet they eventually sell with the right approach (often at the right price). If factors beyond your control played a role, you may simply need to adjust expectations or be willing to make a pricing concession to offset the issue. For instance, a home on a loud street might entice buyers if it’s a bit cheaper than similar homes on quiet cul-de-sacs, acknowledging the trade-off.
Knowing why your listing expired sets the stage for deciding what to do next. Now, let’s go through your options after an expired listing and how to move forward.
Steps to Take After Your Listing Expires
An expired listing isn’t the end of the road – it’s an opportunity to regroup and choose a new path to sell your house. Los Angeles homeowners essentially have a few main options when a listing contract has expired:
Renew Your Listing with the Same Agent
If you still have confidence in your current real estate agent, you might choose to renew or extend the listing agreement. Sit down with your agent and have an open discussion about what changes need to be made to attract a buyer. Don’t just sign up for another 3–6 months and do everything the same way – that likely won’t yield a different outcome. Instead, work with your agent to create a refreshed strategy: for example, adjust the asking price to better align with the market, agree to make suggested repairs or improvements, update the staging or curb appeal, and ensure the marketing plan is revamped (new photos, new description, maybe a big open house kickoff).
If your agent is proactive, has communicated well, and you feel they were as frustrated as you that the home didn’t sell, giving them another shot could make sense. Sometimes the first listing period is a learning experience, and a motivated agent will double down to get the job done in the second round. Just be sure to set some expectations and timelines so both of you are on the same page. For instance, ask for regular updates and agree on what steps will be taken within the first few weeks of the relist. In a market as quick-moving as Los Angeles, your agent should be ready to hit the ground running on the relaunch.
Find a New Real Estate Agent
On the other hand, if you feel your previous agent didn’t meet your expectations, it may be time to switch to a different realtor for your next attempt. Perhaps communication was poor, or you suspect they didn’t market your property aggressively enough. Don’t feel bad about making a change – this is your large financial asset on the line, and you need the right partner to sell it.
When looking for a new real estate agent in Los Angeles, do your homework: look at their track record (how many homes have they sold recently, and how quickly?), read reviews or testimonials, and see if they have specific knowledge of your neighborhood and property type. A great agent will come with a strong plan and will often be honest about why they think the home didn’t sell previously. They might even reach out to some contacts to get initial feedback on your home’s price or presentation.
Make sure to mention to any new agent that your listing expired – and share any feedback or data you gathered from the last attempt. A fresh agent should use that information to avoid repeating mistakes. As Tricia Watts advises, “Choose an agent who is not afraid to tell you the hard truths. You want someone who will say, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do differently to get your Los Angeles home sold,’ and then actually follow through.”
One thing to remember: You may need to wait until the previous listing’s protection period is over before the new agent can sell to certain buyers (as discussed earlier). But you can sign a new listing agreement with a new agent as soon as the old one is officially expired. Just coordinate so that any marketing to old leads is handled properly to avoid commission disputes.
Sell to a Cash Home Buyer (Get a Direct Cash Offer)
If you’re tired of the traditional listing process or want to avoid the uncertainty of trying the market again, you could consider selling your house off-market to a cash buyer. Companies like MaxNet Homes specialize in buying houses directly from homeowners in Los Angeles, quickly and in as-is condition. This option can be very appealing after an expired listing because:
- You won’t need to do repairs or staging – an honest cash buyer will purchase the home in its current condition.
- There are no real estate commissions when you sell directly (since no agents are involved in the transaction). This alone can save you the typical 5-6% of the sale price.
- The sale can happen fast – often in a matter of days or weeks, not months. For instance, MaxNet Homes can often close a sale in as little as 10-14 days if needed.
- You get certainty. Instead of hoping for offers and negotiating back and forth, you receive a firm cash offer. If it works for you, great – you pick a closing date and get paid, with no financing contingencies or buyer loan hassles to worry about.
For homeowners who have already gone through the stress of a failed listing, a cash sale can be a relief. You basically skip the whole listing and showing process. This is especially useful if you need to move on quickly (maybe you’ve already relocated or bought another house) or if your property has issues that made it hard to sell on the market (like needed repairs or difficult tenants).
Of course, you want to work with a trusted cash buyer who will give you a fair offer. MaxNet Homes, for example, is owned by Tricia Watts and built on a reputation of integrity – Tricia’s goal is to maximize your net (hence the name) and create a win-win deal, not to lowball sellers. (She’s even demonstrated this honest approach on HGTV’s Flipping 101, where she transformed a distressed LA property, showing how fair deals can help both seller and investor.)
If you go this route, do your research: check reviews, make sure the buyer is local and understands Los Angeles home values, and that they have the funds ready to go. A legitimate cash buyer will be transparent and won’t pressure you – they’ll simply make an offer and let you decide if it’s the right solution for you.
Try Listing the Home Yourself (FSBO)
Some homeowners consider going FSBO (For Sale By Owner) after an agent’s listing fails. The logic is often, “If my agent couldn’t sell it, maybe I can do it on my own and save the commission.” It’s an option – you have the right to sell your home privately by yourself. You could put up your own signs, post the home on Craigslist or online FSBO forums, and handle showings and negotiations on your own.
However, be aware that FSBO sales can be challenging, especially in a complex market like Los Angeles. Statistics consistently show that FSBO homes generally sell for less money than those sold with a professional agent. (According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical FSBO home sells for tens of thousands of dollars less than agent-assisted homes – in 2023, the median FSBO sale price was about $55,000 lower than the median sale price of homes sold by agents.) That cost far outweighs what you’d save in commission! There are a few reasons for this gap: limited marketing exposure, potential pricing mistakes by owners, and the fact that many serious buyers work with agents who might avoid FSBO listings or drive a hard bargain knowing the seller isn’t professionally represented.
FSBO also means you wear all the hats. You’ll need to market the property aggressively (on Zillow, Trulia, social media, etc.), field all phone calls and emails from potential buyers (and filter out the nosy neighbors or unqualified window-shoppers), schedule showings, host open houses on your own, negotiate offers (which can get emotional when you’re both owner and salesperson), navigate escrow and inspections, and handle all the legal paperwork correctly.
In California, there’s a stack of required disclosures and documents in a home sale – if you miss something, you could expose yourself to legal liability even after the sale.
That’s not to say FSBO is impossible. Some owners do succeed – typically if they already have an interested buyer (like a friend or family member) or if they have experience in real estate. But if your home didn’t sell when a pro was trying, going it alone might be an uphill battle. Make sure you’re prepared for the time, effort, and expertise needed. Sometimes, after giving FSBO a quick try, owners ultimately end up hiring an agent or selling to a real estate investor anyway. So weigh the pros and cons carefully before going down the FSBO path.
With these options in mind, let’s circle back to the idea of selling privately after an expired listing – what do you need to consider if you decide not to re-list with an agent and instead find a buyer on your own (or through alternative means)?
Selling Privately After an Expired Listing in Los Angeles
Choosing to sell your home privately means you won’t be listing it again with a real estate agent on the open Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Instead, you might sell to a friend, a real estate investor, or someone who contacted you directly. This approach can certainly work, but there are a few extra things to keep in mind now that your formal listing has expired.
Understanding the “Protection” Clause in Your Old Contract
As we touched on earlier, most listing agreements include a Protection Clause (also called a broker protection period or safety clause). This clause is there to protect your previous agent’s interests. It typically states that if the house sells within X days after the contract expiration to a buyer that the agent brought or communicated with during the listing period, the agent is still owed the commission. The length of this protection period can vary, but around 60–90 days is common.
Why is this important? Because if you’re selling privately soon after an expired listing, you need to ensure you’re not accidentally stepping on that clause. Ignoring the protection period can lead to legal and financial headaches. Imagine finalizing a private sale only to get a demand letter from your former agent for a full commission – not a pleasant surprise.
What you should do: Review your expired contract and find the section about the protection period. It should spell out the length of time and any requirements (sometimes agents have to give you a list of names of prospects they introduced, for the clause to apply to those buyers only). If anything is unclear, ask your agent or a real estate attorney for clarification. The key is, if your buyer had been in touch with your agent or saw the home while listed, and you’re still within the timeframe, be prepared that the agent could claim their fee.
If you’re past the protection period or the buyer is definitely new, then you’re in the clear regarding your old agent. Just remember this clause is why we emphasize patience – waiting out those few months can free you to sell without strings attached.
Impact on Private Sales During the Protected Period
Deciding to go forward with a private sale during the protection window (for instance, because you happen to get an offer quickly from a new buyer) isn’t necessarily forbidden – it’s your house, you can technically sell whenever you want.
But the impact is that you may still owe a commission, effectively as if the agent had sold the house.
So you wouldn’t really be saving that 5-6% commission cost even though you sold it “on your own.”
To avoid this scenario, make absolutely sure the buyer had no connection to the agent.
Keep detailed records of all the people who viewed your home or inquired during the listing period (your agent can provide you with a list of showings).
If a private buyer approaches you, ask them how they found out your home was for sale.
Sometimes buyers who missed out will contact owners after seeing an expired listing, thinking they can strike a deal – but if they found you through the agent’s marketing, they’re likely on that list.
If there’s any overlap, one option is to negotiate with your former agent.
Some agents, if approached, might agree to a reduced commission or a referral fee arrangement if you end up selling to one of their leads directly.
This would be a private understanding to avoid a dispute later.
Of course, that somewhat defeats the purpose of a “private” sale to save money, but it could be better than a legal fight.
In many cases, though, the easiest solution is back to waiting it out.
Once the protected period ends, you can sell to anyone freely.
During that waiting time, you can still talk to potential buyers and even pre-arrange a sale; just set the closing date for after the period.
Most buyers will understand a slight delay if you explain the reason (it’s a common real estate condition).
Tips for Selling Your Home Privately (FSBO) in Los Angeles
If you’ve decided not to use an agent and you’re past any restrictions from your old contract, then you are essentially doing a For Sale By Owner sale. Here are some important guidelines and tips to help you successfully navigate a private sale in Los Angeles:
- Price Your Home Realistically: Research the local market thoroughly. Look at recent sales in your neighborhood (you can find some info on sites like Zillow or Redfin) to gauge a fair price. Los Angeles has micro-markets – what’s true in Santa Monica might differ in the Valley. Set a competitive price that reflects your home’s condition and location. Overpricing is the biggest pitfall for FSBO sellers.
- Prepare and Present the Home: Just as a realtor would advise – make sure your home is in its best shape to attract buyers.
Handle any minor repairs, tidy up the landscaping, clean deeply, and consider staging key rooms or decluttering heavily.
You want buyers to be impressed when they visit. In private sales, you might not get as many “bites” as a full MLS listing, so every showing counts. - Market, Market, Market: You’ll need to be your own marketing department. Leverage free and paid channels.
Post your home on reputable FSBO and general real estate websites. Use social media – share in local community groups or neighborhood forums (Nextdoor can be useful). You might even print some flyers or mail postcards to neighbors (sometimes a neighbor knows someone looking to move in). Also, put up a For Sale sign with a contact number – you’d be surprised how many buyers drive around target areas looking for signs. In LA, foot traffic isn’t huge in many areas, but a sign can still catch the eye of a local buyer or investor. - Be Available and Responsive: Promptly answer calls or emails from interested parties. If someone wants to see the house, try to accommodate them as soon as possible. Remember, without an agent, it’s up to you to show the home and “sell” its features. Be friendly and honest during showings, highlighting great features (location, view, recent upgrades, etc.), but also be prepared to answer questions about the property (like age of systems, any issues, neighborhood details). Treat every interested buyer professionally – you never know who might be the one to make an offer.
- Stay Safe and Screen Buyers: When doing private showings, take basic safety precautions. It’s wise to have another person with you at home during showings. Also, screen potential buyers for seriousness – it’s okay to ask if they are pre-approved for a mortgage or if they are paying cash. Serious buyers typically will have a pre-approval letter ready. You don’t want to tie up your home under contract with someone who can’t ultimately get the loan.
- Handle the Legal Paperwork: In California, real estate transactions come with a lot of required paperwork (disclosures about the property condition, lead paint, natural hazard zones, etc., plus the purchase contract itself and escrow documents). Consider hiring a real estate attorney or an escrow company early in the process. They can provide you with standard California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) contracts and disclosure forms to use. When you receive an offer (or when you’re ready to make a deal with a buyer), having a professional guide the drafting of the contract will protect you. An escrow company will manage the funds, title search, and closing details neutrally, which is important in FSBO deals.
- Negotiate Smartly: Be prepared for offers and perhaps some back-and-forth negotiation.
Know your bottom-line price ahead of time. Since you’re not paying an agent commission, factor that in – it gives you a bit of flexibility on price while still netting what you need. However, buyers might also expect a “deal” since no agents are involved.
Stay calm and focused on the numbers and terms that matter to you (like timeline or any contingencies). It’s perfectly fine to politely decline lowball offers; serious buyers will usually come in with a reasonable price. - Manage the Closing Process: Once you accept an offer, the work isn’t over. You’ll need to navigate the escrow period, during which the buyer will likely do inspections and an appraisal (if they are getting a loan). Be ready to cooperate with home inspectors and appraisers scheduling visits. If issues come up, you’ll negotiate repairs or credits directly with the buyer. Aim to keep the deal on track – delays or miscommunication can cause escrows to fall apart. Stay on top of any paperwork your escrow or title officer asks for, and keep open communication with the buyer to ensure their financing is on schedule (if applicable).
Selling a house privately in Los Angeles can feel daunting, but many homeowners do it successfully with dedication and research. The key is to stay organized, be responsive, and know when to seek professional help (like legal advice for contracts). And remember, if at any point it becomes too overwhelming or isn’t yielding results, you can still turn to a professional agent or a cash buyer to get it done. The goal is to get your home sold in a way that you’re comfortable with.
Final Thoughts: How to Move Forward After an Expired Listing in Los Angeles
Having your home become an expired listing can be discouraging, but it’s truly not the end of your selling journey.
You can still sell your house, and often the second attempt is the successful one once you identify what the first listing lacked. The key is to take the lessons from the experience: was it price, presentation, market conditions, or the agent that held you back? Armed with that insight, you can make the necessary adjustments.
If you’re going to relist (either with your current agent or a new one), make sure to hit the reset button with a strong game plan – correct the pricing, improve the home’s appeal, amp up the marketing, or all of the above.
Give your home the best shot in its next debut on the market. Patience is important too; sometimes waiting a few weeks or months for the right moment (and letting that MLS “days on market” counter reset) can position you for a better outcome.
However, if you’re feeling burned out by the whole listing process or can’t afford to wait and gamble on the market again, remember that you have alternatives. One of the fastest and most stress-free paths is to sell directly to a reputable cash buyer.
In Los Angeles, MaxNet Homes is here to help homeowners exactly in your situation. Founded by Tricia Watts – who built her reputation on honesty, hard work, and even demonstrated her skills on HGTV – MaxNet Homes offers a compassionate, no-pressure way to sell your home quickly. We will buy your house for cash, as-is, and you won’t have to worry about open houses, repairs, or even cleaning up. You get a fair offer and can close on your timeline, whether that’s two weeks or two months.
Imagine skipping all the uncertainty and finally moving on with your life – that’s what we strive to provide.
Many Los Angeles homeowners who were frustrated with an expired listing have found relief by working with MaxNet Homes.
Even if you’re just curious, we’re happy to give you a free, no-obligation offer on your home so you can compare your options. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much you can net without paying commissions or continued holding costs.
Don’t let an expired listing defeat you. You have options and a community of professionals ready to support you.
Whether you choose to tweak and relist, find a new agent, or take the quicker cash sale route, the goal is the same – to get your house sold and help you move forward. Selling a home can be challenging, but with the right approach (and the right partners) it will happen.
If you’re a homeowner in Los Angeles dealing with an expired listing and want a quick, hassle-free sale, consider reaching out to MaxNet Homes. We’re here to listen to your situation, make you a fair offer, and handle the heavy lifting for you.
In the end, you deserve a solution that turns that expired listing into a success story. Contact MaxNet Homes today, and take the next confident step toward selling your house on your terms!