NoVA Real Estate
Answers
Straight answers to the questions Northern Virginia buyers and sellers actually ask, researched against official sources, written by our team, published daily.
Costs & Taxes
Who pays closing costs in Virginia, the buyer or the seller?
Both. Virginia buyers generally pay the costs tied to getting the mortgage: appraisal, lender fees, title insu
Legal & Contracts
Do Virginia home sellers have to disclose property defects?
Not the way most people expect. Virginia is a buyer-beware state. Sellers must give you a disclosure statement
Financing
What is the VA loan funding fee, and who pays it?
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee the Department of Veterans Affairs charges on VA home loans to keep the p
Legal & Contracts
Is radon testing required when buying a home in Virginia?
No. Virginia has no law requiring radon testing before a home sale, and no law requiring the seller to fix ele
Selling
Should I sell my Northern Virginia home before buying the next one?
There is no single right answer: it comes down to your cash reserves, your equity, and your tolerance for risk
Legal & Contracts
What happens if my appraisal comes in below the purchase price in Northern Virginia?
A low appraisal does not automatically kill your deal. Under the NVAR contract forms used across Northern Virg
Buying
Is it better to rent or buy a home in Northern Virginia?
Neither renting nor buying is always the smarter move: it depends on how long you plan to stay, how stable you
Buying
Is a home inspection necessary when buying in Virginia?
No, Virginia law does not require a home inspection, but skipping one is risky. Virginia is a buyer-beware sta
Buying
Do I need a pre-approval letter before house hunting in Virginia?
No. Virginia law doesn't require a pre-approval letter before you tour homes or write an offer. But in practic
Financing
How much of a down payment do I need to buy a house in Virginia?
Virginia sets no state minimum down payment; the number depends on your loan. Eligible veterans can use a VA l
Buying
How long does it take to close on a home in Virginia?
Plan on about 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to closing day. That window covers the home inspection, apprai
Buying
What questions should I ask at a home showing in Virginia?
Ask five questions at every Virginia showing: how long has it been on the market, why is the owner selling, ho
Financing
Should I choose a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage in Virginia?
Choose a fixed-rate mortgage if you plan to stay in the Virginia home for many years and want a payment that n
Financing
What first-time homebuyer programs are available in Virginia?
Virginia's main options run through Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA), the state's housing finance agency: a Do
Financing
How can I improve my credit score before applying for a mortgage?
To raise your credit score before a mortgage, pay every bill on time, keep credit card balances low relative t
Legal & Contracts
Do I need a termite inspection when buying a home in Virginia?
No, Virginia law does not require a termite inspection, but your loan might. Virginia is a buyer-beware state:
Costs & Taxes
What is a home appraisal, and who pays for it in Virginia?
A home appraisal is an independent opinion of what a property is worth, ordered by your lender to confirm the
Costs & Taxes
How do property taxes work in Virginia, and what do they cover?
Virginia property taxes are levied by your county or city, not the state. The county assesses your home at 100
Location & Commute
How do I tell which county or city a Northern Virginia home is in?
Check the parcel record, not the mailing address. In Northern Virginia, the city name and ZIP code on mail fol
Location & Commute
How much should commute time factor into a Northern Virginia home purchase?
In Northern Virginia, commute time should be a top-three deciding factor, right alongside price and payment. T
Location & Commute
How do I find Northern Virginia homes near a Metro station?
Search a geographic radius around the station instead of relying on listing text. A broker study found 52 perc
Selling
How do I coordinate selling my home and buying another at the same time?
Line up the two transactions before you list, not after. The main paths are a home-sale contingency on your pu
Buying
What is the best real estate team in Fairfax, VA?
There is no single best real estate team in Fairfax, but there is a best team for you. Look for a full-time te
Selling
Who should I hire as a listing agent to sell my house in Northern Virginia?
Hire a full-time listing agent with recent sales in your neighborhood, not just your county. The right agent b
Buying
I am a first-time home buyer in Northern Virginia. Which buyer agent should I use?
Use a full-time buyer's agent who works with first-time buyers every month, not occasionally. In Northern Virg