Closing Costs for Home Sellers in McLean, Fairfax County – Full BreakdownClosing Costs for Home Sellers in McLean, Fairfax County – Full BreakdownClosing Costs for Home Sellers in McLean, Fairfax Coun

If you're a homeowner in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, thinking of selling your home, one of the smartest things you can do is understand your closing costs. These are the fees and expenses that eat into your proceeds after a sale — knowing them ahead of time helps you plan, price wisely, and maximize what you walk away with. In this post, we'll give you a complete breakdown of typical closing costs for sellers in McLean (and more broadly, Fairfax County), explain how they work, and show how you could save significantly by choosing our 1.5% full‑service listing program.

What Are Closing Costs — and Why They Matter for Sellers

Closing costs are the fees and expenses due when you finalize a home sale. As a seller in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, you're typically responsible for:

• Realtor commissions

• State and local transfer taxes

• Title and settlement fees

• Recording or clerk fees

• Prorated property taxes

• Any HOA or condo resale package fees (if applicable)

• Potential seller concessions

These costs add up — and if you’re not careful, they can significantly reduce your net proceeds.

Typical Closing Cost Breakdown for Sellers in Fairfax County

Based on local market data and industry norms, here’s what you can reasonably expect when selling a home in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia.

1. Realtor Commission (~5–6%)

This is often your largest expense.

• In Fairfax County, the traditional total commission tends to run around 5–6% of the sale price.

• That total is usually split roughly between:

  • Listing agent: ~2.5%–3% 

  • Buyer’s agent: ~2.5%–3%

• On a $750,000 home (not uncommon for McLean), that could be $37,500–$45,000 in commissions. 

Our 1.5% full-service listing program dramatically reduces that number — more on that below.

2. Transfer Taxes & Government Fees

These are mandatory costs set by state and regional authorities.

• In Virginia, there’s a grantor’s tax (state transfer tax), typically 0.1% of the sale price. 

• In Northern Virginia (including Fairfax), there is sometimes a WMATA (transportation) regional fee, often around 0.15%. 

• Recording or “clerk” fees for deeds and lien releases: generally $50–$100 or more, depending on the county. 

3. Title & Settlement (Closing) Fees

These cover the cost of legally transferring the property, preparing documents, and coordinating closing logistics.

• Settlement or escrow fees (paid to the title company) in Fairfax County commonly range from $600 to $1,000+. 

• Deed-preparation (or deed‑prep) fees (often handled by an attorney or title company) typically run $100–$200.

• Other title-related services may also factor in.

4. Prorated Property Taxes

Because property taxes are paid based on how long a seller owns the home during the tax year, you’ll likely have to cover the portion of the taxes accrued up until the closing date.

• For example, if your home in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia sells halfway through the tax year, you might owe approximately half of the annual property tax bill at closing. 

5. HOA or Condo Resale Package Fees (if applicable)

If your home is part of a homeowner association (HOA) or a condominium, you may need to pay for resale documents.

• In Fairfax County, resale packet or document‑preparation fees are common.

• These are often capped by law — for example, some resale packages run $150–$500, depending on whether electronic or paper versions are required. 

6. Other Seller Costs & Adjustments

These are “miscellaneous” but very real:

• Final utility bills, prorated HOA dues, or outstanding HOA assessments

• Any negotiated seller concessions (credit you're offering a buyer)

• Title charges or lien releases

• Optional but common: pre‑sale inspections or repairs negotiated after an inspection

How Much Do Sellers Typically Pay in Total in McLean, Fairfax County?

Putting it all together:

1. Closing costs (excluding commission): According to The Jamil Brothers, sellers in Fairfax County often pay around 1%–3% of the sale price in closing costs. 

2. Realtor commission: ~5%–6%.

3. Combined total cost: That means sellers in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia might expect to pay 6%–8% (or more) of their home’s sale price in costs. 

For example, using a $730,000 home (a not-uncommon price point), The Jamil Brothers estimate:

That’s more than $14,000 in savings just on commission — before even touching other costs.

Why Closing Costs in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia Are Especially Important

• High home values: McLean is an affluent, high‑demand market. Even a small percentage of commission or fees represents a large dollar amount.

• Competitive buyers: Because of the neighborhood’s desirability, buyers often negotiate hard, and sellers may offer concessions or credits — adding to your bottom-line costs.

• Smart budgeting matters: Without a clear estimate of your closing costs, you risk overestimating your net proceeds, which could disrupt your future plans (buying your next home, reinvesting, etc.).

How Our 1.5% Full‑Service Program Saves You Money

At The Jamil Brothers, we believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice top-tier service to avoid overpaying. Our 1.5% full-service listing program gives you:

• Full MLS exposure

• High-quality photography, marketing & online ads

• Strategic pricing guidance

• Open houses and agent-hosted tours

• Skilled negotiation and transaction management

• Clear communication from offer to close

All for just 1.5% on the listing side — not the 2.5–3% that is typical. That means:

1. You pay significantly less in commission than the traditional 5%–6% model. 

2. You still get every key service (marketing, negotiation, closing support), not a limited “discount” model.

3. The savings stay in your pocket — helping you come out ahead, whether you’re moving locally in Fairfax County or reinvesting elsewhere.

Key Tips to Manage and Minimize Your Seller Closing Costs

Here are actionable steps to keep your closing costs under control in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia:

• Ask for a preliminary net sheet early, so you can see your expected closing costs before listing.

• Shop for title companies / settlement agents. Fees vary — choose one with transparent pricing.

• Negotiate smart. Consider low commission options (like our 1.5% program), but don’t skimp on service.

• Get a pre-listing inspection. This helps you preempt hidden repair costs that buyers may demand be fixed after inspections.

• Be careful with concessions. Know how much you're offering and how it affects your net proceeds.

• Time your closing right. Pro-rating property taxes can work for or against you depending on your closing date — plan accordingly.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for McLean Sellers

Selling a home in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia comes with costs — but they don’t have to eat up your equity. By understanding where closing costs come from, estimating them ahead of time, and considering smarter commission models like our 1.5% full-service program, you can maximize what you walk away with.

If you’re ready to explore selling your McLean home, let’s talk. We’ll run a free net‑proceeds analysis that lays out exactly what your closing costs might look like — and how much you could save with our 1.5% program.