Lafayette · Selling Your Home
Selling Your Home in Lafayette
Most agents list your home and hope. I market it every minute of the day, and I read your home's real condition before problems become surprises.
Selling Your Home in Lafayette, What You Get
Selling in Lafayette means following Contra Costa County's rules. The good news: the transfer tax is lower than in Oakland or Berkeley. There's no ordinance requiring a sewer lateral certificate in Lafayette, however a sewer lateral inspection is recommended. One step to plan for: if your home is in a High or Very High fire hazard severity zone on the state's map, the sale includes a routine defensible space inspection for the buyer.
Starting it early keeps it a simple item on the checklist.
Curious what your home is worth?
Get a real number for your specific street. No obligation.
Get My Free Home ValueOr call/text (415) 722-0472
Or read how we do it, step by stepWhy Lafayette Sellers Choose Tanja Odzak
I've run weekly video marketing on East Bay real estate for almost seven years, so a Lafayette listing of mine goes live in front of an audience that already knows me.
I'm a Master Certified Negotiation Expert, a credential under 0.1% of agents nationwide hold. I once told an East Bay seller her home would sell for more than she believed. It sold well above asking. That same push goes into every Lafayette listing.
Our Selling Your Home Process in Lafayette, What to Expect
We start with your home and your timeline. I pull comps for homes on similar lots, since a flat Burton Valley lot and a steep Happy Valley lot sell differently, and walk the property with you. If your address is in a High or Very High zone, we request the defensible space inspection from Contra Costa County Fire right away and handle any clearing before photos.
Then come photography, video, and marketing, and MCNE negotiation when offers arrive. The full method is on how I sell a home.
Local Context & Proof for Lafayette
Lafayette's value is tied to the lot as much as the house: size, slope, privacy, trees, and views. In September 2026, Lafayette single-family homes sold at a median of $1,925,000 after 11 days on the market, and condos and townhomes at $867,500 after 28 days (source: Bridge MLS).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the transfer tax when I sell in Lafayette?
Lafayette has no extra city transfer tax. The sale carries Contra Costa County's documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of the price, and the city receives half of that amount. I include it in your net proceeds estimate.
Do I need a sewer lateral certificate to sell in Lafayette?
No. There's no ordinance requiring a sewer lateral certificate in Lafayette, however a sewer lateral inspection is recommended. Knowing the line's condition before you list means no surprises when a buyer asks about it.
What is the AB 38 defensible space inspection?
Under state law since July 1, 2021, when a home in a High or Very High fire hazard severity zone sells, the seller gives the buyer documentation that the property passed a defensible space inspection. In Lafayette, Contra Costa County Fire does the inspections. If the home is not compliant by closing, the buyer and seller can sign a written agreement that the buyer will complete the work within one year.
How early should I request the fire inspection?
As soon as you decide to list. Contra Costa County Fire says scheduling can take up to five working days after your request is processed, and if the inspector finds work to do, you will want time to finish it and get re-inspected.
What other disclosures apply when I sell in Lafayette?
California's standard disclosures, including the natural hazard disclosure, which covers fire hazard zones. Homes in a High or Very High zone also carry the Fire Hardening and Defensible Space Advisory, and homes built before 1978 need the lead-based paint disclosure.
How much does it cost to sell a home in Lafayette?
Costs include agent compensation, which is negotiable and which we agree on in writing before listing, the county transfer tax, escrow and title fees, any defensible space work, and prep. I give you a written net proceeds estimate up front.
Should I get a pre-listing inspection on my Lafayette home?
Usually yes, especially on a sloped lot or an older home. Knowing what an inspector will find lets us fix it or price for it before a buyer uses it to negotiate.
Curious what your home is worth?
Get a real number for your specific street. No obligation.
Get My Free Home ValueOr call/text (415) 722-0472
Or read how we do it, step by stepLafayette
What selling your home looks like in Lafayette
Lafayette sits in a valley in the Contra Costa hills, just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, with a small-town downtown surrounded by wooded, hillside neighborhoods.
Lafayette sits in a valley in the Contra Costa hills, just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, with a small-town downtown surrounded by wooded, hillside neighborhoods. It's one of the more rural-feeling cities in the East Bay despite being minutes from Walnut Creek and BART, which is a big part of its appeal.
Lafayette's neighborhoods range from streets close to downtown to larger properties up in the hills, where lot size and privacy tend to matter as much as square footage. The city is known for its top-rated schools and a more spacious feel than Oakland or Berkeley.
- The homes
- Lafayette's housing stock leans toward larger, single-family homes on generous lots, ranch homes and custom builds in the hills, along with a smaller supply of townhomes and condos closer to downtown and BART.
- Why people choose it
- Whether you're looking for more space and a bigger lot, or you're a longtime owner wondering what your hillside property is really worth.
The method
