The documents you'll sign buying or selling a home in Virginia
A home sale in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth or Virginia Beach involves a stack of forms, and most people see them for the first time when they're asked to sign. These guides explain each one in plain English, in the order it shows up.
Each document is labeled buyer-side, seller-side or both, so you can see which ones you'll sign. This is general information, not legal advice.
1. Hiring an agent
Before the search or the listing starts, you put your working relationship with a brokerage in writing.
The Virginia Buyer Brokerage Agreement Explained: Fees, Term and Your Agent's Duties
Exclusivity, term, negotiable fee and your agent's duties.
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Listing Agreements Explained: Length, Cancelling and Exclusive Right to Sell in Virginia
The exclusive right to sell agreement: term, fee, tail period and dual agency.
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Virginia Consumer Disclosure Information Form Explained for Buyers and Sellers
A long informational form flagging topics to ask about.
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What Goes Into an MLS Listing in Virginia (and Why Accuracy Matters to Sellers)
What information goes into your listing, and why accuracy matters.
Read guide →2. Disclosures
Sellers deliver these before an offer is ratified, and buyers should read them before writing one.
The Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Statement: What It Is and What It Isn't
Virginia's buyer-beware notice and the acknowledgement form.
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Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act: Your Rights and Obligations Summarized
Who the law covers, exemptions and the buyer's right to terminate.
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Virginia Military Air Installation (AICUZ) Noise and Accident Zone Disclosure
Noise and accident potential zones near Oceana, Fentress and Chambers Field.
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The Lead-Based Paint Disclosure in Virginia: Pre-1978 Homes Explained
Required for homes built before 1978.
Read guide →3. The offer
The contract that turns an accepted offer into a binding deal.
4. Under contract
Inspections, repair negotiations and the deadlines that come with them.
5. Closing
The last check before you sign at settlement.
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