How Much Do Sellers Pay in Closing Costs in Northern Virginia? Full Itemized Breakdown
Seller's Closing Costs in Northern Virginia: What You'll Pay at Settlement & What to Know
In Northern Virginia, sellers typically pay between 7% and 10% of the sale price in total closing costs. On a $700,000 home in Fairfax County, that's roughly $49,000 to $70,000 — including real estate commission, Virginia's grantor's tax ($0.25 per $100), the NoVA Regional Congestion Relief Fee ($0.15 per $100), title and settlement fees, and any seller concessions. The combined NoVA transfer fee is $0.40 per $100 — $2,800 on a $700,000 sale. Knowing every line item before you list is how you avoid surprises at the settlement table and walk away with the proceeds you actually planned for.
- Northern Virginia sellers typically pay 7–10% of the sale price at closing — $49K–$70K on a $700K home.
- Virginia's grantor's tax ($0.25/$100) + the NoVA Regional Congestion Relief Fee ($0.15/$100) = $0.40/$100 combined — $2,800 on a $700K sale.
- Commission is the largest cost — typically 2.5–3% for the listing agent, with buyer's agent compensation now separately negotiated.
- HOA/condo sellers in communities like Reston, Vienna, and McLean must budget $200–$500 for the resale disclosure packet — order it early.
- Run a personalized net sheet with your agent before you sign a listing agreement — your real number depends on your payoff, terms, and home value.
By Samantha Bard, REALTOR® | May 28, 2026
The call you don't want to get is the one at the settlement table when you see a number that's bigger than you expected. Most Northern Virginia sellers have a rough idea of their commission — but the full picture of what you'll actually owe at closing is more complex, and getting it wrong can mean a real shock when the wire hits.
Here's every closing cost line item a Northern Virginia seller should expect, what each one is for, and what's negotiable — so there are no surprises when you sit down at the title company.
Northern Virginia Seller Closing Costs: The Full Line-Item List & What Each Charge Covers
Behind commission sits a stack of state and regional taxes, title fees, government recording charges, and in many NoVA communities, HOA-related costs. Here's what sellers in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Arlington should expect to see on their settlement statement.
Real Estate Commission
This is by far the largest cost. The listing agent's commission is typically 2.5% to 3% of the sale price. Post-NAR settlement (August 2024), the buyer's agent commission is separately negotiated and no longer automatically included in the MLS listing — but most Northern Virginia sellers still offer buyer's agent compensation to attract the broadest pool of buyers. On a $700,000 home at a combined 5% commission, that's $35,000.
Virginia Grantor's Tax
Virginia charges a state transfer tax — the grantor's tax — at $0.25 per $100 of sale price. Every seller in Virginia pays this at closing, regardless of county. On a $700,000 home: $1,750.
NoVA Regional Congestion Relief Fee
If your property is in one of the Northern Virginia Transportation District jurisdictions — Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Arlington County, or the City of Alexandria — you pay an additional grantor-side transfer tax of $0.15 per $100. On a $700,000 home: $1,050.
Combined with the state grantor's tax, the total transfer fee for NoVA sellers is $0.40 per $100 — $2,800 on a $700,000 sale. Sellers outside these jurisdictions do not pay this additional fee.
Title and Settlement Company Fee
In Virginia, a title/settlement company handles the closing: title search, document preparation, fund disbursement, and deed recording. The seller's portion of the settlement fee typically runs $750 to $1,500, depending on the company and sale price.
Owner's Title Insurance Policy
By Virginia custom, the seller pays for the buyer's owner's title insurance policy. On a $700,000 home, expect $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the provider. It's technically negotiable — but departing from custom can complicate your negotiation.
Deed Preparation Fee
The settlement company or attorney prepares the deed of conveyance transferring ownership to the buyer. Typically $100 to $250.
Mortgage Payoff Processing Fee
If you have an existing mortgage, your lender charges a fee to process the payoff demand and release the lien. Typically $150 to $400.
Government Recording Fees
After closing, the settlement agent records the new deed at the courthouse. Sellers typically contribute $25 to $75.
Pro-Rated Property Taxes
Property taxes are paid in arrears in Virginia. You'll owe taxes through your settlement date. If you've prepaid, you'll receive a credit. If you haven't, you'll see a debit. The amount varies based on your locality's tax rate and settlement timing.
HOA Resale Disclosure Packet or Condo Resale Certificate
If your home is in a community governed by an HOA — which covers a large portion of Reston, Vienna, McLean, Burke, Herndon, and communities throughout Fairfax County — the seller is responsible for ordering and delivering the HOA Resale Disclosure Packet to the buyer. Virginia law gives the buyer a 3-day right of rescission after receipt.
Condo sellers must provide a Condo Resale Certificate instead. Cost: typically $200 to $500. Order it early — fulfillment can take 7 to 10 business days.
Your Total Seller Closing Costs at Three Price Points: Reston, Vienna & McLean Examples
Here's what the numbers look like at three common price points in the NoVA market, assuming a Fairfax County or Loudoun County property, standard HOA, 5% total commission, and no seller concessions.
$500,000 Home: Reston, Herndon & Parts of Fairfax County
| Line Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Commission (5%) | $25,000 |
| Grantor's Tax ($0.25/$100) | $1,250 |
| NoVA Regional Fee ($0.15/$100) | $750 |
| Title/Settlement Fee | $850 |
| Owner's Title Insurance | $1,100 |
| Deed Prep & Recording | $275 |
| HOA Resale Packet | $300 |
| Mortgage Payoff Processing Fee | $250 |
| Pro-Rated Property Taxes | Varies |
| Estimated Total (before mortgage payoff) | ~$29,775 |
$700,000 Home: Vienna, Burke & Fairfax Corner
| Line Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Commission (5%) | $35,000 |
| Grantor's Tax ($0.25/$100) | $1,750 |
| NoVA Regional Fee ($0.15/$100) | $1,050 |
| Title/Settlement Fee | $1,000 |
| Owner's Title Insurance | $1,500 |
| Deed Prep & Recording | $300 |
| HOA Resale Packet | $350 |
| Mortgage Payoff Processing Fee | $300 |
| Pro-Rated Property Taxes | Varies |
| Estimated Total (before mortgage payoff) | ~$41,250 |
$1,000,000 Home: McLean, Oakton & Loudoun County Corridors
| Line Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Commission (5%) | $50,000 |
| Grantor's Tax ($0.25/$100) | $2,500 |
| NoVA Regional Fee ($0.15/$100) | $1,500 |
| Title/Settlement Fee | $1,200 |
| Owner's Title Insurance | $2,200 |
| Deed Prep & Recording | $325 |
| HOA Resale Packet | $400 |
| Mortgage Payoff Processing Fee | $350 |
| Pro-Rated Property Taxes | Varies |
| Estimated Total (before mortgage payoff) | ~$58,475 |
Running Your Real Numbers: Net Sheet Calculation & What Moves Your Proceeds
The closing costs above tell you what you'll owe. But your net proceeds — what you actually walk away with — also depends on your remaining mortgage balance, any seller concessions you've offered the buyer, and whether you have a second mortgage or HELOC.
The formula:
Sale Price − Commission − All Closing Costs − Mortgage Payoff(s) − Seller Concessions = Net Proceeds
This is what a personalized net sheet maps out. Every variable shifts the result — your specific listing price, the buyer's financing type, whether you've agreed to cover closing cost credits. I walk my clients through this before we sign a listing agreement, not after they're already under contract.
- Commission is negotiable. Post-NAR settlement, both fees are explicitly negotiated in writing. Offering competitive buyer's agent compensation affects how your home gets shown in the NoVA market.
- Owner's title insurance is negotiable — Virginia custom has the seller paying, but it can be shifted in the contract.
- The grantor's tax and NoVA regional fee are not negotiable. These are statutory. You pay them, period.
- HOA packet timing is not optional. Start the order process the week you accept an offer.
Want to understand what you might net from your specific home? My post on how much you'll net selling your Northern Virginia home walks through the full proceeds calculation. And if you want to understand how seller concessions factor in, this breakdown of rate buydowns, closing cost credits, and price reductions covers every option.
For buyers trying to understand their side of the ledger, the companion post on buyer closing costs in Northern Virginia covers what buyers typically pay.
Frequently Asked Questions: Seller Closing Costs in Northern Virginia
Q: How much do sellers typically pay in closing costs in Northern Virginia?
A: Northern Virginia sellers typically pay 7% to 10% of the sale price in total closing costs, including commission. On a $700,000 home in Fairfax County or Loudoun County, that's approximately $49,000 to $70,000. The largest single cost is real estate commission, followed by Virginia's transfer taxes and title/settlement fees. For your personalized number, request a free home valuation and net sheet here.
Q: What is Virginia's grantor's tax, and do all sellers pay it?
A: The grantor's tax is a Virginia state transfer tax charged at $0.25 per $100 of sale price — paid by the seller at closing. Every seller in Virginia pays it, regardless of county. On a $700,000 sale, the grantor's tax alone is $1,750. Sellers in Northern Virginia also pay the additional NoVA Regional Congestion Relief Fee of $0.15 per $100, bringing the combined total to $0.40 per $100. Explore what selling in Reston looks like.
Q: What is the NoVA Regional Congestion Relief Fee?
A: The NoVA Regional Congestion Relief Fee is an additional seller-side transfer tax of $0.15 per $100, applied in Northern Virginia jurisdictions: Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria. Combined with the state grantor's tax, NoVA sellers pay $0.40 per $100 — $2,800 on a $700,000 home. Sellers outside these jurisdictions do not pay this fee. See what selling in Vienna involves.
Q: Do sellers in Northern Virginia pay for the buyer's title insurance?
A: By Virginia custom, the seller typically pays for the buyer's owner's title insurance policy. On a $700,000 sale, this typically runs $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the provider. It's technically negotiable in the contract, but it is standard practice in most Northern Virginia transactions. Learn more about selling in McLean.
Q: I'm selling a home with an HOA — what extra costs should I expect?
A: If your home is in a community governed by an HOA — common throughout Reston, Vienna, Burke, and most of Fairfax County — you're responsible for ordering and delivering the HOA Resale Disclosure Packet to the buyer before closing. Cost: $200 to $500. Virginia law gives the buyer a 3-day right of rescission. Condo sellers provide a Condo Resale Certificate instead. Order it within 48 hours of going under contract. Explore Fairfax County communities.
Q: Can I estimate my net proceeds before I list?
A: Yes — and you should do it before you sign anything. The formula: Sale Price minus Commission minus All Closing Costs minus Mortgage Payoff(s) minus Any Seller Concessions equals Net Proceeds. A personalized net sheet from your agent is the only way to know your real number. Request your free home valuation and net sheet here.
If you're thinking about selling and want to know exactly what your Northern Virginia home is worth right now, I'd be glad to put together a free home valuation for you — including a personalized net sheet that shows your real proceeds, not an algorithm's guess.