Short Pump and Henrico County Home Seller Resources

Selling an inherited Virginia house

Virginia real estate passes at death to the heirs or people named in the will. An executor can sell only after a circuit court clerk appoints them, and only if the will directs a sale or grants a power of sale, or a court grants that power. Otherwise, the heirs or beneficiaries generally sign the deed together. A sale by heirs or beneficiaries within one year after death can be challenged by the deceased owner’s creditors unless no court action over estate debts is started and no report of debts is filed within that year. For an estate handled in Henrico County, contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office above. If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one.

Virginia grantor and recordation taxes

Virginia taxes the deed when it is recorded. By law, the seller pays grantor tax: 50 cents for each $500 of the greater of the sale price or value. The sale contract can shift who pays. Separate state recordation tax and, where adopted, local recordation tax may also apply. Exemptions and transfers with little or no consideration can change the amount; the settlement agent confirms the taxes.

When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Virginia state and local recordation taxes, grantor tax and any applicable regional WMATA capital fee, regional congestion relief fee or regional transportation improvement fee.