Virginia Closing Costs (2026)
Last updated: March 2026
Typical closing costs
$5,000–$14,000
Median home price
$449,000
Virginia has a multi-layered recordation tax system. Buyers pay deed recordation tax ($2.50/$1,000) plus deed of trust recordation tax ($2.50/$1,000) — a combined $5.00/$1,000 on most purchases. Sellers pay the grantor's tax ($1.00/$1,000 statewide; $3.00/$1,000 in Northern Virginia jurisdictions including Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, and Prince William). Virginia is not an attorney state — closings are handled by licensed settlement agents. Title insurance rates are file-and-use; each underwriter files separately with the Virginia SCC.
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Virginia closing cost breakdown
Typical ranges for a home purchase in Virginia. Exact amounts depend on purchase price, county, and lender.
| Fee |
|---|
| Deed recordation tax (buyer) |
| Deed of trust recordation tax (buyer) |
| Grantor's tax (seller) |
| Owner's title insurance (file-and-use rate) |
| Lender's title insurance (simultaneous issue) |
| Settlement agent fee |
| Recording fees |
| Lender origination fee |
| Homeowners insurance prepaid |
| Prepaid property taxes (escrow) |
Virginia's recordation taxes ($5.00/$1,000 combined) are non-negotiable. Title insurance rates are file-and-use and vary by underwriter — shopping saves real money. Lender origination fees and settlement agent fees are the most negotiable items.
Virginia fee-by-fee benchmarks
Origination Fee
Negotiable · Section A
Processing Fee
Negotiable · Section A
Underwriting Fee
Negotiable · Section A
Title Insurance
Negotiable · Section C
Appraisal Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Recording Fee
Non-negotiable · Section E
Transfer Tax
Non-negotiable · Section E
Attorney Fee
Negotiable · Section C
Courier Fee
Negotiable · Section H
Credit Report Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Flood Certification Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Tax Service Fee
Non-negotiable · Section B
Wire Transfer Fee
Negotiable · Section H
Document Preparation Fee
Negotiable · Section A
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What Virginia buyers need to know
Virginia buyers pay two recordation taxes: the deed recordation tax ($2.50/$1,000 of consideration) and the deed of trust recordation tax ($2.50/$1,000 of loan amount), totaling approximately $5.00/$1,000 on a typical purchase. On a $449,000 home financed at 80% ($359,200 loan), the buyer's recordation taxes are approximately $2,023 (deed) + $898 (deed of trust) = $2,921. These are non-negotiable state taxes.
Northern Virginia carries significantly higher seller costs. In Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, and Prince William — the Northern Virginia jurisdictions — the seller pays $3.00/$1,000 in grantor's tax (state $1.00 + Regional Congestion Relief Fee $1.00 + WMATA Capital Fee $1.00) rather than $1.00/$1,000 statewide. On a $664,000 NoVA median-price sale, the seller's grantor's tax is $1,992 vs. $664 statewide.
Virginia is a file-and-use state for title insurance — each underwriter files its own rate manual with the Virginia SCC, and rates differ between companies. Unlike Texas, Florida, or Ohio where rates are uniform, Virginia buyers can and should compare title insurance quotes. Stewart Title's July 2025 filed rates are $3.90/$1,000 up to $250,000 and $3.70/$1,000 up to $500,000. Other underwriters may be higher or lower.
Virginia's Real Estate Settlement Agents Act (RESA) gives buyers a statutory right to choose their own settlement agent. The buyer is not required to use the settlement agent selected by the seller, builder, or real estate agent. RESA also prohibits settlement agents from collecting fees from a represented seller without written consent of seller's counsel (effective July 2023). Exercise your right to shop settlement agents — fees range from $750 to $975.
Effective July 1, 2024 (HB 574), the deed recordation tax base is the most recent property tax assessment rather than necessarily the purchase price. In practice, for most arm's-length sales the assessed value and sale price are similar, but in jurisdictions with lagging assessments (common across Virginia given rapid price appreciation), buyers may pay recordation tax on a lower assessed value than the actual purchase price — a minor benefit.
Virginia closing cost questions
How much are closing costs in Virginia?
Virginia buyer closing costs typically run $5,000–$14,000 depending on purchase price, loan amount, and location. The main fixed buyer costs are the recordation taxes ($5.00/$1,000 combined on deed + deed of trust), title insurance, and settlement agent fees. Northern Virginia has above-average costs due to higher home prices — the statewide median is $449,000, but the Northern Virginia median is $664,000.
What are Virginia's recordation taxes?
Virginia buyers pay two recordation taxes: the deed recordation tax ($2.50 per $1,000 of consideration) and the deed of trust recordation tax ($2.50 per $1,000 of loan amount), totaling approximately $5.00/$1,000 on a typical financed purchase. On a $449,000 home with an 80% loan ($359,200), the combined buyer recordation taxes are approximately $2,921.
What is Northern Virginia's additional grantor's tax?
In Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria, Loudoun County, and Prince William County, the seller pays $3.00/$1,000 in grantor's tax (vs. $1.00/$1,000 statewide). The additional $2/$1,000 consists of the Regional Congestion Relief Fee ($1.00/$1,000, Va. Code § 58.1-802.4) and the WMATA Capital Fee ($1.00/$1,000, Va. Code § 58.1-802.3), both effective May 2021. On a $664,000 NoVA sale, the seller pays $1,992 in grantor's tax vs. $664 statewide.
Are Virginia title insurance rates negotiable?
Yes. Virginia is a file-and-use state — each title underwriter files its own rates with the Virginia SCC, and rates differ. Unlike Texas, Florida, or Ohio, there is no uniform rate. Stewart Title's July 2025 rates are $3.90/$1,000 up to $250K and $3.70/$1,000 up to $500K. Other underwriters may charge more or less. Shopping title insurance in Virginia can save $200–$500 on a typical transaction.
Does Virginia require an attorney at closing?
No. Virginia is not an attorney state. Closings are handled by licensed settlement agents under the Real Estate Settlement Agents Act (RESA). Attorney involvement is uncommon for standard residential purchases. RESA gives buyers the statutory right to choose their own settlement agent — you are not required to use the one recommended by the seller or agent.
What is Virginia's settlement agent fee?
The settlement agent fee is charged by the licensed settlement agent (title company or attorney) for handling the closing. Typical Virginia settlement fees run $750–$975, with Northern Virginia at the high end. RESA prohibits agents from collecting fees from represented sellers without written consent of seller's counsel. Under RESA, buyers have the right to choose their settlement agent — shopping can save $100–$200.
How Virginia closing costs compare
Virginia closing costs average about 1.7% of the purchase price — near the national average. The $5.00/$1,000 combined buyer recordation tax is material but comparable to Florida's combined doc stamp + intangible (about 1.25% of loan amount). Northern Virginia's higher home prices ($664,000 median) and higher seller grantor's tax make NoVA transactions among the most expensive in the state.
Compared to neighboring states: Maryland has a transfer tax of 0.5% state + local (1%–1.5% total depending on county) split between buyer and seller, plus a recordation tax of $3.50/$1,000+ in some counties — making Maryland slightly more expensive for buyers. North Carolina has no buyer recordation tax (only a $2/$1,000 seller excise tax) but requires an attorney. West Virginia has a buyer recordation tax of $1.65/$1,000 — significantly lower than Virginia's.
Within Virginia, Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William) has the highest closing costs due to the combination of very high home prices, above-average title insurance costs (more expensive underwriters dominate the market), and the additional $2/$1,000 grantor's tax on the seller side. Richmond, Roanoke, and Hampton Roads markets are closer to the statewide average.
First-time homebuyer closing costs in Virginia
VHDA (Virginia Housing Development Authority) offers the Virginia Housing Loan Program with below-market rates for first-time buyers, plus the Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Grant providing up to 2.5% of the purchase price as a non-repayable grant that can be used for down payment and closing costs. Income and purchase price limits apply by locality.
Virginia Housing's Plus Second Mortgage program provides an additional 1.5% of the purchase price as a 0% interest second mortgage to help with closing costs. Combined with the DPA Grant, first-time buyers can get up to 3.5% of purchase price in assistance. Contact a VHDA-approved lender for current program availability.
Under Virginia's RESA, you have the legal right to choose your own settlement agent. Don't automatically use the title company suggested by your real estate agent or builder. Get quotes from at least two settlement agents — the combination of title insurance premium differences (file-and-use rates vary) and settlement fees can save $300–$700.
Northern Virginia buyers should verify whether the property is in a jurisdiction with the additional grantor's tax on the seller ($3/$1,000 vs. $1/$1,000). This affects the seller's net proceeds and their flexibility on price. In Fairfax County, a $664,000 median-price sale costs the seller $1,992 in grantor's tax — a meaningful number in price negotiations.
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