{"id":"how-do-i-sell-my-house-in-pasadena","url":"https://realestateworks.com/journal/how-do-i-sell-my-house-in-pasadena","json":"https://realestateworks.com/api/catalog/how-do-i-sell-my-house-in-pasadena","title":"How do I sell my house in Pasadena?","excerpt":"To sell a house in Pasadena, get a property-specific value review, apply for the City of Pasadena presale certificate, prepare the home, list it under a written agreement if you hire an agent, give the required disclosures, compare offers and close through escrow. Sidney Manzo, in real estate since 1990, can guide each step and offers a free home review.","category":"selling","publishedAt":"2026-10-11","updatedAt":"2026-10-23T00:57:49.631Z","author":"Sidney Manzo","license":"CA DRE #01108914","cities":["Pasadena"],"topics":[],"audience":"sellers","intent":"Explain the steps to sell a Pasadena house, with or without an agent, and start a property-specific review.","sourceQuestion":"How do I sell my house in Pasadena?","sourceUrls":["https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/code-compliance/presale-program/","https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-notices/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2019-02-04-ORDINANCE-7337.pdf","https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/planning-division/design-and-historic-preservation/historic-preservation/historic-preservation-incentives/","https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/Certificate-of-Appropriateness-Information-Packet-Submittal-Checklist-.pdf","https://www.lavote.gov/home/recorder/property-document-recording/documentary-transfer-taxes/general-info","https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1102","https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1102.1","https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1102.2","https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1103","https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1103.2","https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=10147.5"],"seo":{"title":"How do I sell my house in Pasadena?","description":"To sell a Pasadena house, get a value review and the City presale certificate, give disclosures, compare offers and close.","image":"/api/media/journal/1792187947079-o6bmmr.webp","imageAlt":"Bungalow style home on hillside in Pasadena"},"faqs":[{"q":"Do I need a presale certificate to sell my Pasadena house?","a":"Yes. Pasadena Municipal Code section 14.17.030 requires a Presale Certificate of Completion or a Presale Certificate of Inspection any time a single-family house, condominium, townhouse or duplex is sold, and the City says the owner is responsible for obtaining one before the close of escrow. Eligible properties can get a Certificate of Completion through owner self-certification. A property is not eligible, and needs a City inspection for a Certificate of Inspection, if it has an open code compliance case; unpermitted additions, conversions or accessory structures over 120 square feet; non-compliance with fire protection, detection and exiting requirements; or actual living area 10% or more above the Los Angeles County Assessor's record (PMC 14.17.050). A certificate is void six months after the date on it (PMC 14.17.100)."},{"q":"Who pays the transfer tax in Pasadena?","a":"The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder says the Documentary Transfer Tax is computed at $0.55 for each $500, or fractional part, of the consideration or value conveyed, excluding any lien or encumbrance remaining at the time of sale (about $1.10 per $1,000). Its list of special city rates names only Culver City, Los Angeles, Pomona, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica; Pasadena is not on that list. The Recorder says the tax calculation is the responsibility of the document preparer. The official sources checked do not say whether the buyer or the seller pays, so ask your escrow officer or a real estate attorney how your purchase contract handles it."},{"q":"Can I make exterior repairs before selling a home in a landmark district?","a":"Often, but the City's Certificate of Appropriateness Information Packet says a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for projects that may affect the significance of a historic resource outside of the Central District, under the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Pasadena Municipal Code section 17.62.090). The City's Historic Designations page says exterior alterations visible from the street in a landmark district require the certificate before a building permit is issued, and that paint colors, landscaping, solar panels and routine maintenance are exempt from review. The packet lists cleaning or painting of masonry as a minor project. The City also says landmark district designation does not affect the use or sale of the property. Confirm with Design & Historic Preservation staff before work starts."},{"q":"What disclosures do Pasadena sellers give?","a":"Civil Code section 1102 applies the Transfer Disclosure Statement rules to sales of single-family residential property, except the transfers listed in section 1102.2, which include sales ordered by a probate court and certain sales by a fiduciary administering a trust, guardianship, conservatorship or decedent's estate. Section 1102.1 says the article was not intended to affect existing obligations to disclose any fact materially affecting the value and desirability of the property, and that delivery of the statement may not be waived in an \"as is\" sale. If the home lies in a hazard zone listed in Civil Code section 1103, the disclosure is made on the Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement in section 1103.2. A California real estate attorney can advise on your situation."},{"q":"How is my Pasadena home's value set?","a":"By recent comparable sales near your address, adjusted for condition, size, lot and updates, not by an online estimate or the citywide median. A property-specific review looks at the homes buyers are actually choosing between right now. It is an opinion of likely market value, not a promised sale price."}],"body":"Sidney Manzo, CA DRE #01108914, can review this property. A request does not create a listing agreement.\n\nRE/MAX Dream Properties (ASLG Inc), CA DRE #02142193\n\nTo sell a house in Pasadena, get a value review, apply for the City's presale certificate, prepare the home, sign a written listing agreement if you hire an agent, give the required disclosures, compare offers and close through escrow (City of Pasadena Presale Self-Certification Program). Sidney Manzo, in real estate since 1990, can guide each step.\n\nWhat are the steps and timeline to sell a house in Pasadena? Start with a value review of your address, then apply for the City's presale certificate, prepare and repair the home, sign a written listing agreement if you hire an agent, launch on the MLS and hold showings, deliver disclosures, negotiate offers and counteroffers, and move through escrow, inspections and appraisal until the deed records. Prep often takes a few weeks, and escrow for a financed buyer commonly runs about 30 days. The City of Pasadena says the owner is responsible for obtaining the presale certificate before the close of escrow, and a property that is not eligible for self-certification needs a City inspection; a certificate is void six months after the date on it (Pasadena Municipal Code section 14.17.100). No timeline is promised; each home and market differs.\n\nWhat does it cost to sell a house in Pasadena? Listing-side fee tiers are Essential 2.5%, Full Service 3% and Signature 3.5% of the final selling price, listing side only; the written listing agreement controls. Under Business and Professions Code section 10147.5: The amount or rate of real estate commissions is not fixed by law. They are set by each broker individually and may be negotiable between the seller and broker. Escrow and title fees apply. The LA County Registrar-Recorder says the Documentary Transfer Tax is $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fractional part (about $1.10 per $1,000), excluding any lien or encumbrance remaining at the time of sale, and it lists special city rates only for Culver City, Los Angeles, Pomona, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica; Pasadena is not on that list. City of Pasadena presale certificate fees and any repair credits may also apply. Ask your escrow officer or a real estate attorney who pays which cost under your purchase contract.\n\nWhat disclosures and Pasadena rules apply to a sale? Civil Code section 1102 applies the Transfer Disclosure Statement rules to sales of single-family residential property, except the transfers listed in section 1102.2, such as sales ordered by a probate court and certain sales by a fiduciary administering a trust or estate. Section 1102.1 says the article was not intended to affect existing obligations to disclose any fact materially affecting the value and desirability of the property. If the home lies in a listed hazard zone, such as a very high fire hazard severity zone or an earthquake fault zone, the disclosure is made on the Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (Civil Code sections 1103 and 1103.2), which says its disclosures are representations based on the seller's and agent's knowledge and maps drawn by the state and federal governments. Pasadena Municipal Code section 14.17.030 requires a Presale Certificate of Completion or a Presale Certificate of Inspection any time a single-family house, condominium, townhouse or duplex is sold (City of Pasadena Presale Self-Certification Program). The City of Pasadena's Historic Designations page says exterior alterations visible from the street in a landmark district require a Certificate of Appropriateness before a building permit is issued, and that landmark district designation does not affect the use or sale of the property. This is general information, not legal advice; ask a California real estate attorney about your sale. Rules as of October 21, 2026; they change, so check the official source.\n\nHow should you price a Pasadena house? Price from recent comparable sales near the address, adjusted for condition, lot, size and updates. A citywide median or an online estimate is context only, not the value of your home. Sidney can prepare your home value review, price the home and guide the sale. Get my free home review"}