VA Land Sale Guide
Sell Land by Owner
in Virginia
Virginia-specific deed types, recording office, transfer tax, survey rules, mineral rights, and county recorder links.
Virginia — Quick Reference
Virginia note: Virginia imposes a Grantor's Tax paid by the seller. An attorney review is customary at closing. Seller disclosure required. Coal and natural gas mineral rights are commonly severed in southwest Virginia.
How to Sell Land by Owner in Virginia
Five steps from pricing to recording — no real estate agent required.
Price Your Land
Research recent comparable land sales in your county using AcreValue, county GIS records, or the county assessor site. Price per acre varies widely by access, utilities, timber, and zoning. Overpriced land sits for years.
Order a Survey (If Needed)
A boundary survey confirms exact acreage, corners, and easements. Buyers increasingly require one for rural parcels. If your deed references old metes-and-bounds or you're unsure of the exact boundary, order a survey early.
Run a Title Search
A title search through your county recorder confirms you own what you're selling and reveals any liens, judgments, or encumbrances. For older rural property, pay special attention to severed mineral rights, timber reservations, and utility easements.
Prepare the Deed
Your deed must include grantor/grantee names, legal description, consideration paid, and notarized signatures. Use a state-specific form — Warranty, Grant, or Quitclaim — depending on what protections you're willing to convey.
Close and Record
At closing, collect payment (wire transfer or cashier's check), sign the deed, and have it notarized. Record the deed at your county recording office within a day or two. Pay any applicable transfer taxes at recording.
Mineral Rights in Virginia
In Virginia, mineral rights (oil, gas, coal, metals) are commonly severed from the surface estate. This means the person who owns the land surface may not own what's beneath it — and vice versa.
- ›Before listing: pull the full chain of title and look for mineral deeds, mineral reservations, or oil/gas leases.
- ›If mineral rights are severed, disclose this clearly in your listing and purchase agreement.
- ›Buyers in Virginia who want both surface and mineral rights should confirm mineral ownership separately.
- ›A Mineral Deed is the instrument used when conveying severed mineral interests.
- ›If you own the minerals, they can be sold separately from the surface — potentially adding significant value.
Seller Disclosures in Virginia
Virginia requires sellers to complete a property disclosure form before closing. For vacant land, disclosures typically cover:
- ›Known environmental hazards or contamination
- ›Easements, encroachments, or boundary disputes
- ›Flood zone status or wetland designation
- ›Zoning restrictions or planned public improvements
- ›Access limitations (landlocked parcels, right-of-way issues)
- ›Mineral rights ownership status
- ›Septic feasibility or existing perc test results
Tools for Selling Land in Virginia
Get an instant per-acre land valuation for your Virginia parcel. Compare to recent comparable sales.
Check Land Value →Reach buyers actively searching for vacant land in Virginia. LandWatch is the largest dedicated land marketplace.
List Your Land →Create a Virginia-specific Deed of Conveyance with a notarization-ready template.
Create Your Deed →Get quotes from licensed land surveyors and site evaluators in Virginia before listing.
Get Survey Quotes →Frequently Asked Questions — Virginia Land Sales
How do I sell land by owner in Virginia?+
What type of deed do I need to sell land in Virginia?+
Is a survey required to sell vacant land in Virginia?+
Can I sell my land without the mineral rights in Virginia?+
Where do I record a deed in Virginia?+
When is a perc test required for vacant land in Virginia?+
Also See: Neighboring States
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