The True Cost of Selling Your Fairfax, Fairfax County Property

Fairfax isn’t just any Northern Virginia market — it’s one of the most sought-after areas in the region. With its top-rated schools, proximity to D.C., and family-friendly neighborhoods like Mantua, Mosby Woods, and Fair Oaks, homes here attract steady buyer demand.

But that doesn’t mean you can ignore prep or pricing strategy. Buyers in Fairfax are discerning. They expect clean, move-in ready properties, and they’re willing to pay more for homes that show well. That means sellers often spend extra upfront to compete.

The first step is understanding exactly what you’ll be paying.

Fairfax Uniques:

• ✓ High demand
• ✓ Discerning buyers
• ✓ Prep investments

Standard Commission Rates

Traditionally, sellers in Fairfax pay around 5–6% of the final sale price in commission. For a $750,000 home (close to the county’s median price), that’s $37,500–$45,000.

• Half usually goes to your listing agent.
• The other half goes to the buyer’s agent.

This is where most sellers feel the biggest pinch.

Do You Really Have to Pay 6%?

Not anymore. Commission models are evolving, and you now have lower-cost, full-service options. For example, with our 1.5% listing program, you get:

• Full MLS exposure
• Professional marketing (photos, online ads, open houses)
• Pricing guidance and market analysis
• Skilled negotiation

But instead of paying 6%, you only pay 1.5% on the listing side — which can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

💡 Tip: Always compare agent services. The lowest fee isn’t always best, but neither is the traditional 6% rate. Look for a balance of experience, marketing reach, and fair pricing.

Most Fairfax buyers don’t want fixer-uppers. They want a home that feels modern, clean, and ready to move into. That means sellers often invest in pre-listing improvements.

Common Costs:

• Paint touch-ups & fresh neutral colors: $2,000–$5,000
• Flooring fixes or replacement: $1,500–$4,000
• Basic handyman repairs (door handles, faucets, outlets): $500–$1,500
• Curb appeal updates (mulch, trimming, flowers, power wash): $1,000–$3,000

On average, Fairfax sellers spend $3,000–$7,500 before listing.

Should You Renovate Big?

Major renovations (like kitchen remodels or bathroom overhauls) don’t always pay off. In Fairfax, it’s better to focus on cosmetic updates that give buyers a strong first impression.

💡 Tip: Get a pre-listing inspection. It costs a few hundred dollars but flags potential issues early, so you can fix them before buyers use them to negotiate down your price.

Professional staging in Fairfax typically costs $2,000–$5,000, depending on the size of your home and how many rooms you stage.

Why Stage?

• Staged homes sell faster (often within 2–3 weeks vs. 1–2 months).
• They usually sell for more because buyers emotionally connect with the space.
• Fairfax is a competitive market — staged homes stand out online, where 90% of buyers start their search.

If a full staging isn’t in your budget, even small steps like decluttering, deep cleaning, and rearranging furniture can make a noticeable difference.

💡 Tip: Virtual staging is a cheaper option ($50–$150 per room) that works well if your home will be listed online before in-person tours.

Even after you’ve accepted an offer, you’ll still face closing costs. In Fairfax County, these usually add up to 1–2% of your sale price.

Typical Seller Closing Costs Include:

• Title and escrow fees: $1,000–$2,000
• State and county transfer taxes: about 0.1% of the sale price in Virginia, plus local fees
• HOA or condo resale documents: $200–$500 (sometimes higher)
• Attorney or settlement fees (optional but common in VA): $500–$1,000

💡 Tip: Always request a preliminary settlement statement before closing so you can see every fee in advance.

If you still owe money on your mortgage, part of your sale proceeds will go toward paying off the balance. Some lenders also charge a prepayment penalty if you pay off your mortgage early (though this is less common today).

💡 Tip: Contact your lender before listing to get your exact payoff amount so you can plan your net proceeds accurately.

Moving isn’t free — and in Fairfax, movers charge based on home size, distance, and time of year.

• Local move within Northern Virginia: $1,000–$3,000
• Long-distance move: $3,000–$10,000+

Add storage or packing services, and the price goes higher.

💡 Tip: Book movers in advance. Rates climb quickly during summer and weekends, which is when most Fairfax sellers list.

Every month your home sits on the market, you’re still paying:

• Mortgage
• Utilities
• Property taxes
• HOA or condo fees
• Insurance

In Fairfax, where homes average 20–30 days on market, these carrying costs can easily run $2,500–$4,000 per month.

💡 Tip: The faster your home sells, the less you spend. That’s why strategic pricing and strong marketing matter so much.

When you add everything up, here’s what most Fairfax sellers pay:

• Agent commission: 5–6% (or 1.5% with our program)
• Repairs & prep: $3,000–$7,500
• Staging: $2,000–$5,000
• Closing costs: 1–2% of the sale price
• Moving: $1,000–$3,000
• Carrying costs: depend on time in the market

That brings the total cost of selling to around 8–10% of your final sale price. For a $750,000 Fairfax home, that’s $60,000–$75,000.

But here’s the opportunity: by lowering your commission while keeping full service, you can cut that number dramatically.

Total Breakdown:

• ✓ 8–10% of sale price
• ✓ $60K–$75K for $750K home
• ✓ Savings potential

• Choose a lower commission program: Our 1.5% listing option saves Fairfax sellers tens of thousands.
• Focus on ROI improvements: Skip costly remodels. Stick to paint, flooring, and curb appeal.
• Stage smartly: Even partial or virtual staging gives buyers the visual edge they want.
• Price it right: Overpricing leads to longer days on market (and higher carrying costs).
• Plan ahead for closing: Get early estimates so you aren’t blindsided.

Savings Strategies:

• ✓ Low commission
• ✓ ROI focus
• ✓ Smart staging
• ✓ Right pricing
• ✓ Plan closing

Selling your Fairfax property comes with more expenses than most people realize. Between commissions, prep work, and closing costs, you could lose 8–10% of your sale price if you’re not careful.

The good news? You don’t have to. With the right strategy — and a smarter commission plan — you can keep thousands more in your pocket.

👉 Ready to sell your Fairfax home? Let’s talk about how our 1.5% full-service listing program can help you save while still getting top-dollar results.

Key Takeaways:

• ✓ More costs than expected
• ✓ 8–10% of sale price
• ✓ Smarter plans save money