Moving out of Los Angeles is a big decision.
Whether it’s for a new job in another state, a growing family that needs more space, retirement, financial pressure, or simply a desire for a slower pace of life — one major question almost always follows:
What do you do with the house?
For many homeowners, selling a house when moving out of Los Angeles feels overwhelming. There are logistics, legal considerations, taxes, timelines, market conditions, and often emotional attachment tied into the property.
This guide breaks down everything homeowners need to know when selling a house while relocating out of LA — including options, timelines, costs, tax implications, and real-world scenarios we’ve seen firsthand.
Why So Many Homeowners Are Leaving Los Angeles
Los Angeles has always been dynamic — but in recent years, more homeowners have been making the decision to relocate.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, California has experienced net domestic out-migration in multiple recent years. High cost of living, rising property taxes, congestion, and changing lifestyle priorities are common factors.
Here are some of the most common reasons we see homeowners moving out of LA:
- Job relocation (Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee are common)
- Retirement and downsizing
- Cashing out equity after years of appreciation
- Divorce or major life transitions
- Inheriting property but living out of state
- Burnout from high cost of living
Los Angeles home values have appreciated significantly over the past decade, which means many sellers are sitting on substantial equity. According to the California Association of Realtors, the median home price in Los Angeles County has hovered near or above $800,000 in recent years — creating major opportunity for homeowners ready to sell.
But selling while relocating adds complexity.
The 3 Main Options When Moving Out of LA
When someone moves out of Los Angeles, they typically consider one of three paths:
Option 1: Sell Before You Move
This is often the simplest route.
Homeowners list the property, complete the sale, and then relocate with funds in hand.
Pros:
- Clean break
- No long-distance landlord issues
- No double mortgage payments
- Immediate access to equity
Cons:
- May require repairs or staging
- Timing must align with relocation
We recently worked with a seller in Sherman Oaks who received a job offer in Dallas. She had only 45 days before her new role started. Instead of coordinating repairs and open houses while packing, she opted to sell as-is. We closed in three weeks, and she relocated without juggling two homes.
Option 2: Rent the Property Out
Some homeowners consider becoming long-distance landlords.
While rental demand in Los Angeles remains strong, being a landlord from another state can be challenging — especially given California’s tenant protections.
The California Department of Real Estate outlines strict landlord-tenant laws that many accidental landlords are unfamiliar with.
Challenges include:
- Rent control regulations
- Eviction restrictions
- Maintenance coordination
- Property management costs (8–12% of monthly rent on average)
One couple we spoke with moved to Idaho and decided to rent their Pasadena home. Six months later, they were dealing with non-payment issues and repair disputes from 900 miles away.
Renting works for some — but it’s not always passive income.
Option 3: Keep It Vacant (Usually Not Ideal)
Leaving a home vacant while relocating creates risk.
Insurance companies often increase premiums or deny claims on vacant properties. The Insurance Information Institute warns that vacant homes are more susceptible to vandalism, water damage, and unnoticed issues.
Vacancy also means:
- Continued mortgage payments
- Property taxes
- Utilities
- Maintenance
- HOA fees (if applicable)
For most homeowners, selling quickly is financially safer than holding an empty property long-term.
Timing the Los Angeles Market
One of the biggest questions we hear is:
“Should I wait for the market to go up more?”
While Los Angeles has historically appreciated long-term, short-term fluctuations happen.
The reality:
- Interest rates influence buyer demand.
- Inventory levels impact competition.
- Seasonal trends (spring/summer) often see higher activity.
According to the National Association of Realtors, homes priced correctly sell significantly faster than those listed above market value.
Trying to time the market perfectly while also coordinating a move can backfire. We’ve seen sellers delay listing for 6–12 months, only to encounter shifting interest rates that reduced buyer demand.
If relocation is already happening, focusing on certainty often matters more than chasing peak price.
Tax Implications When Selling After Moving
Taxes are one of the most misunderstood parts of relocating.
Under IRS Section 121, homeowners may exclude up to:
- $250,000 in capital gains (single)
- $500,000 (married filing jointly)
But there’s an important requirement:
You must have lived in the home as your primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years before the sale.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) outlines these rules clearly in Publication 523.
If someone moves out and waits too long to sell, they could lose eligibility for this exclusion.
For example:
We worked with a homeowner who moved to Florida and rented her Los Angeles property for three years before selling. Because she exceeded the 3-year window after moving out, a portion of her gain became taxable.
Planning matters.
What If You Still Owe on the Mortgage?
Most sellers do.
When selling:
- The mortgage balance is paid off through escrow.
- Remaining equity is wired to the seller at closing.
However, timing matters if:
- You’re buying another property simultaneously.
- You need proceeds for a down payment elsewhere.
- You’re concerned about carrying two loans.
We’ve helped several sellers coordinate back-to-back closings — selling in LA and purchasing out of state within days.
Bridge loans are sometimes an option, but they carry costs and risks.
Selling Long-Distance: Is It Possible?
Yes — and it’s common.
Many homeowners move first and sell later.
Technology now allows:
- Remote notarization (where permitted)
- Mobile notaries
- Digital document signing
- Wire transfers
We recently helped a seller relocate to North Carolina before closing. She never had to fly back to Los Angeles. Everything was handled remotely.
The key is working with professionals experienced in long-distance transactions.
What If the House Needs Repairs?
This is where many relocating sellers feel stuck.
They think:
- “I don’t have time.”
- “I don’t want to manage contractors.”
- “I can’t oversee renovations from another state.”
And they’re right — managing repairs long-distance is stressful.
Common issues we see:
- Deferred maintenance
- Roof leaks
- Foundation cracks
- Outdated kitchens
- Tenant damage
According to HomeAdvisor data, the average home renovation can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on scope.
Selling as-is becomes attractive for sellers prioritizing speed and simplicity over squeezing out every last dollar.
Costs of Selling in Los Angeles
Typical costs may include:
- Real estate commissions (often 5–6%)
- Escrow fees
- Title insurance
- Transfer taxes
- Repair credits
- Staging costs
On an $850,000 home, traditional selling costs can exceed $50,000–$70,000 depending on repairs and concessions.
That’s why many relocating homeowners compare:
- Traditional listing
- Selling to an investor
- Hybrid approaches
Each option has trade-offs between price, speed, and certainty.
Real-Life Moving Scenarios We’ve Seen
Over the years, we’ve worked with many sellers relocating from Los Angeles:
1. The Retirement Move to Arizona
A couple in their 70s wanted to downsize and move near grandchildren. Their home needed updating. Rather than invest in renovations, they chose a direct sale and closed in 21 days.
2. The Job Transfer to Texas
A tech employee had 30 days to relocate. He couldn’t manage showings while onboarding a new job. We purchased the home as-is and coordinated a flexible move-out date.
3. The Divorce Relocation
After a separation, one spouse moved to Nevada while the other remained temporarily. Selling quickly allowed both parties to split equity and start fresh.
4. The Inherited Property
An out-of-state heir inherited a vacant Los Angeles property. Instead of flying back and handling cleanup, we handled everything locally and closed without them returning.
Every situation is different — but speed and clarity often matter most during major life changes.
Questions to Ask Before Deciding
Before selling when moving out of Los Angeles, homeowners should consider:
- How fast do I need to relocate?
- Do I qualify for capital gains exclusion?
- Can I afford two mortgages temporarily?
- Am I prepared to be a long-distance landlord?
- Does the property need major repairs?
- Is certainty more important than maximum price?
There’s no universal right answer.
But there is a right answer for your situation.
Final Thoughts: Selling When Moving Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Relocating out of Los Angeles is already a major transition.
The home sale shouldn’t add unnecessary stress.
Some sellers prioritize top-dollar and are comfortable listing traditionally. Others prioritize speed, privacy, and simplicity.
The key is understanding all options before making a decision.
How Mrs. Property Solutions Can Help
At Mrs. Property Solutions, we work with homeowners throughout Los Angeles who are relocating, downsizing, dealing with inherited properties, divorce, job transfers, or simply ready for a change.
We buy houses as-is.
No repairs.
No commissions.
No showings.
We can often close in as little as 2–3 weeks and coordinate flexible move-out timelines — especially helpful when you’re moving out of state.
Even if selling to us isn’t the right fit, we’re happy to walk through your options so you can make the most informed decision possible.
If you’re moving out of Los Angeles and unsure what to do with your home, reach out. We’re here to help.