Northern Virginia real estate, with a plan for your move
Freddy Makinde is a licensed Virginia REALTOR with eXp Realty. He works with sellers and buyers in Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties and in the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.
Four counties and five independent cities
Virginia's cities are independent, so a city is not part of the county around it. The City of Fairfax and Fairfax County are separate local governments, and Manassas and Manassas Park residents do not pay Prince William County taxes. Towns are different: a town sits inside its county. In Prince William County, for example, town residents pay county real estate taxes and their town levies its own real estate tax. It is worth confirming which one your address falls in before you estimate taxes or look up records.
Includes the towns of Clifton, Herndon and Vienna, plus communities such as Reston, Springfield, McLean and Annandale that are not incorporated towns. Deeds are recorded at the Fairfax Circuit Court.
Arlington has no incorporated towns. The whole county is counted as a single census-designated place, and neighborhoods such as Clarendon and Ballston sit inside it.
Includes the towns of Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville and Round Hill, plus communities such as Ashburn and Sterling.
Includes the towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan and Quantico, plus communities such as Woodbridge, Dale City, Lake Ridge and Gainesville. Each town levies its own real estate tax on top of the county's.
An independent city. Its deeds are recorded at the Alexandria Circuit Court.
An independent city, separate from Fairfax County. Its deeds are recorded at the Fairfax Circuit Court.
An independent city. Its deeds are recorded at the Arlington Circuit Court.
An independent city. Residents do not pay Prince William County taxes.
An independent city. Residents do not pay Prince William County taxes.
Selling a home in Northern Virginia
Virginia assigns the grantor tax and two regional transportation fees to the seller unless the contract says otherwise. In these nine localities the three together come to 0.3% of the sale price or assessed value, whichever is higher, which is $2,250 on a $750,000 sale. The Northern Virginia seller closing cost guide shows the rates, the statutes and a worked example.
Two documents come up in most resales. Sellers of most homes give buyers the Virginia residential property disclosure statement, a form published by the Real Estate Board. If the home is in a condominium or homeowners association, the association prepares a resale certificate, and Virginia law makes the seller responsible for its preparation and delivery fees.
Freddy's Seller Advantage Program™ puts pricing, prep and marketing in place before day one, so your home is ready for buyers the week you list.
Buying a home in Northern Virginia
Start by checking the jurisdiction. Nearby addresses can fall in a county, a town inside that county, or an independent city, and each sets its own real estate tax rate.
In a condominium or HOA community, ask for the association's resale certificate early and read it before settlement. It covers the association's fees, rules and finances.
The Buy With Confidence Protection System helps you know what a home is worth before you offer, and what you're signing before you sign it.
Ready to move in Northern Virginia?
Schedule a strategy callSelling in Maryland too? See the Maryland guide.