Can I legally sell my house without a Realtor in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia law lets you sell your own home without hiring a real estate agent — commonly called FSBO, or 'for sale by owner.' You'll handle pricing, marketing, showings, negotiation, and paperwork yourself, and you'll still need to meet the same legal disclosure requirements any seller does. Most FSBO sellers use a settlement agent or closing attorney to handle the actual closing.
What disclosures does Virginia require when I sell on my own?
The main one is the Residential Property Disclosure Statement under Va. Code § 55.1-702, generally provided before or when the buyer makes an offer. Depending on the property you may also need a flood-risk disclosure, a lead-based-paint disclosure for homes built before 1978, and, for waterfront-adjacent properties, notice tied to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. These are legal obligations — confirm exactly what applies to your home with a Virginia closing attorney or settlement agent.
How much does selling FSBO actually save me?
Often less than people expect. National Association of REALTORS® data shows FSBO homes tend to sell for meaningfully less than agent-assisted homes — frequently cited around 13% lower — and most FSBO sellers still pay a buyer's-agent commission of roughly 2–3%. So the real 'savings' is usually just the listing-side commission, which can be more than wiped out by a lower sale price. The estimator above lets you compare your own numbers honestly.
Do I still have to pay the buyer's agent if I sell FSBO?
Usually, if you want access to the largest pool of buyers. Most buyers are represented by an agent who expects a commission, and offering one keeps your home competitive with agent-listed homes. You can decline, but it can shrink your buyer pool. How commissions are handled has been changing across the industry, so confirm current practice — it's one of the trickier parts of going it alone.
How do I price my home without an agent?
Carefully — overpricing is the most common and costly FSBO mistake. Without full MLS sold data, many FSBO sellers price on guesswork or online estimates that can be well off. Pull recent comparable sales, be honest about condition, and consider paying for an appraisal or a professional opinion of value. I'm glad to give you a no-obligation read on price even if you plan to sell on your own.
What's the most common FSBO mistake?
Overpricing, followed closely by thin marketing and mishandling the contract. Homes priced above the market sit, go stale, and ultimately sell for less — the opposite of the goal. Weak photos and limited exposure shrink the buyer pool, and a missed contract or disclosure detail can sink the deal or create liability. If any of that gives you pause, that's exactly where an agent earns the commission.
