Buying a home in Virginia
Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Virginia.
For home buyers in Virginia: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.
How we estimated
State recordation tax of $0.25 per $100 (Va. Code §58.1-801) plus up to one-third more in local recordation tax (§58.1-3800), customarily paid by the buyer; grantor tax of $0.50 per $500 (§58.1-802), paid by the seller. Some Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads localities add regional congestion-relief fees, which are not included. Sources: Va. Code §58.1-801 · §58.1-802 · §58.1-3800. Checked 2026-10-15.At Virginia's effective rate of 0.73%, a typical $412,252 home would owe about $3,009/year ($251/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.
Virginia Housing
Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Virginia Housing →
Next steps
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.
Common questions
What is the property tax rate in Virginia?
The effective property tax rate in Virginia is 0.73%: the median tax of $2,790 divided by the median home value of $383,700 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).
What is a typical home value in Virginia?
$412,252 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
Who offers first-time homebuyer help in Virginia?
Virginia Housing, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.
Updated . Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.
Mortgage rates, home prices and saving tips, every week.
One short email with this week's rate move, local price trends and a plan to grow your down payment. Unsubscribe anytime.