Hi L.,
I'm in the mortgage business and work with some great realtors in the area. But I highly recommend as someone else mentioned, if there's any way possible, to rent out your home until the market changes (at least a year). Right now, mostly everything on the market is foreclosures and short sales. There are very few standard resales on the market. Most sellers have simply pulled off the market in this tough time. I would be happy to pass along the foreclosure data in your area to see what I mean. While there is such a surplus of inventory on the market, if you could hold onto your home and rent out rather than get short changed on your sale, you might be better off. Otherwise you might have to sell your home at such a low price it won't help you.
But I know that's not possible for everyone and you might be looking for money from your home to purchase another home. But depending on the state you're moving to, you might rent in the meantime and wait for CA prices to rise again. Other than the east coast, home prices are reasonable elsewhere and you should be able to still get a good deal elsewhere in a year or two.
Also, not that it matters, someone mentioned Craig Lampkin earlier. I didn't know he was in the business, but went to school with him in Garden Grove. He was a very good guy. Doesn't help with his realtor qualifications, but thought I'd pass along.
If you have any questions or want to see that forelosure info, my email is ____@____.com. I would be happy to share with you. I won't try to sell you on anything, not my style. Good luck L.! S.