Commissions are only part of it. Here's the full list of what selling a Virginia home typically costs.
Commissions
The largest single cost in a traditional sale is usually the real estate commission, commonly 5 to 6 percent of the sale price. On a $300,000 home that's $15,000 to $18,000. This is the cost a direct cash sale eliminates entirely.
Closing costs and seller concessions
Sellers in Virginia often pay a share of closing costs, including things like the grantor's tax, settlement fees, and title-related charges. In many cash sales, the buyer covers standard closing costs.
Repairs, prep, and staging
To sell well on the open market, most homes need at least some preparation. After the inspection, buyers frequently ask for additional repairs or price reductions. An as-is cash sale removes this category completely.
Carrying costs while you wait
Every month a home is on the market and in escrow, you keep paying the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and utilities. On a 60-to-90-day sale, that can be several thousand dollars.
When you compare a listing to a cash offer, include these. The faster timeline of a cash sale is partly a cost savings, not just a convenience.
The honest bottom line
Add commissions, closing costs, repairs, and carrying costs together and the true cost of a traditional sale is often well into the tens of thousands. The comparison should be net-to-net, not headline-price versus cash offer.
Hampton Roads Home Buyer is an independent local real estate resource. We are not a government agency, lender, attorney, or tax advisor. Information on this site is general and should not be treated as legal, financial, or tax advice. Submitting a form does not create representation or obligation.