What Does It Cost to Sell a Home in Northern Virginia? A Seller's Complete Guide

Most sellers in Northern Virginia think about their asking price. Fewer think carefully about what they'll actually walk away with. The difference between the two — your net proceeds — depends on understanding the real cost of selling before you list.

I've closed over 241 transactions, the overwhelming majority on the seller side. One of the most common conversations I have with sellers in the first meeting isn't about price. It's about money math. If you don't know your net ahead of time, you can't plan your next move with confidence.

Here's what it actually costs to sell a home in Northern Virginia.

The Big One: Agent Commission

Agent commission has always been the largest line item for sellers — and the one that generates the most questions after the NAR settlement changes took effect.

The short version: commission is now explicitly negotiated, not assumed. In Virginia, there is no "standard" rate set in stone. What you pay your listing agent, and whether you offer any compensation to the buyer's agent, is a conversation that happens upfront.

In practice, total commission costs in Northern Virginia typically range from 4% to 6% of the sale price depending on the structure you negotiate and the level of service you're getting. On a $900,000 home — close to the Arlington median — that's $36,000 to $54,000.

What you're buying with that fee matters enormously. A listing agent who generates multiple offers and holds the line through a complex negotiation earns their commission. An agent who puts a sign in the yard and waits costs you more than their fee.

Virginia Transfer Tax and Recording Fees

Virginia charges a Grantor's Tax on the sale — essentially a state tax on the privilege of transferring property. The rate is $0.50 per $500 of consideration (roughly 0.10%), with a Grantors' Tax for high-value transactions that adds up.

In certain Virginia jurisdictions — including Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria — there is an additional local transfer tax layered on top of the state rate. Arlington County does not currently impose an additional local transfer tax, which is one reason sellers there often see slightly cleaner closing sheets.

For a $900,000 sale in Arlington, expect roughly $900–$1,800 in transfer taxes and recording fees on the seller side, depending on exact jurisdiction and transaction details. Your title company will provide a precise estimate in the settlement statement.

Title and Settlement Fees

In Virginia, the seller typically pays for the owner's title insurance policy — the one that protects the buyer against any title defects from before the sale. On a $900,000 transaction, that runs approximately $1,500–$2,500 depending on the title company.

Settlement/closing fees are usually split between buyer and seller in Northern Virginia, with the seller's share typically in the $300–$700 range.

Prorated Property Taxes and HOA Fees

At closing, property taxes are prorated to the settlement date. If you've already paid taxes for the period beyond closing, you'll receive a credit. If taxes are due after closing but cover a period you owned the home, you'll owe a debit.

In Arlington, real estate tax rates are around $1.013 per $100 of assessed value as of 2026. On a $900,000 assessed home, that's roughly $9,117 annually — about $750/month. Depending on when in the year you close, the proration can be a credit or a debit of several thousand dollars.

If your home is in an HOA or condo association, budget for any outstanding dues, resale disclosure fees (typically $150–$500), and any transfer fees the HOA charges the buyer that you've agreed to cover in negotiation.

Mortgage Payoff

If you have an outstanding mortgage, the payoff amount — principal plus any accrued interest through the closing date — comes directly out of your proceeds. This is the number that most dramatically affects your net.

Your lender will provide a payoff statement. Note that the final number will differ slightly from your current balance due to daily accruing interest.

Also worth checking: prepayment penalties. Most conventional loans originated in the last decade do not carry them, but if you refinanced with a less common loan product, verify before you list.

Pre-Sale Repairs and Staging

This is the cost category with the most variance — and arguably the most leverage.

In Northern Virginia's competitive market, the condition of your home at listing sets the ceiling on your price. A house that needs obvious work invites aggressive low offers and inspection negotiations. A house that shows well generates the multiple-offer dynamic that produces above-ask results.

What you spend here is not purely a cost — it's a strategic investment. The ROI varies by project:

Deep cleaning + declutter: $500–$1,500. Highest ROI of anything you can do.

Fresh neutral paint: $3,000–$8,000 depending on size. Consistently earns back more than its cost.

Professional staging: $1,500–$5,000 for a staging consultation and partial furniture placement. At $1.1M average in my recent closings, even a 0.5% price improvement more than covers it.

Minor repairs (door hardware, caulking, light fixtures, landscaping touch-up): Budget $1,000–$3,000 for a well-maintained home.

What I tell my sellers: I'd rather you spend $5,000 upfront on presentation than negotiate $20,000 off your price because a buyer used inspection findings as a hammer.

Putting It Together: The Net Sheet

Here's a rough example for a $900,000 home in Arlington County:

These are estimates. Your actual numbers depend on your specific loan payoff, HOA situation, negotiated commission, and closing date.

The Number That Actually Matters

Your net proceeds determine whether you can make your next move — whether that's buying the larger home in McLean, moving into a Falls Church walkable community, or relocating entirely.

I build a detailed net sheet for every seller I work with before we even discuss list price. It takes 20 minutes and it tells you exactly where you stand. When you know your number, you can make confident decisions — not reactive ones.

If you want to run the numbers on your home, [request your home value estimate here](#) or call me directly. No pressure, no pitch — just the math.

Candee Currie is an Associate Broker with TTR Sotheby's International Realty and a 30+ year Arlington resident. She has closed 96 sales in the last five years at an average price of $1.1 million.