Virginia Foreclosure Guide
Virginia is a non-judicial (deed of trust) foreclosure state with a 60-day minimum from notice to sale. Trustee sales are advertised in a local newspaper and held at the courthouse. Virginia has no statutory right of redemption after a non-judicial sale. Northern Virginia counties (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun) have extremely competitive foreclosure markets; buyers should verify all HOA and condo association liens, which can be significant.
Process Type
Non-Judicial
Typical Timeline
60+ days
Sale Method
Trustee sale (courthouse)
Virginia Title Risk Articles
State-specific articles coming soon — check back as our foreclosure title guide library grows.
County-Level Exceptions Investors Should Know
Statewide rules only tell part of the story. These county-level quirks catch out-of-state investors off guard.
Fairfax County
Fairfax County has large volumes of townhouse and condominium properties with HOA and condo association fees. Virginia's Property Owners Association Act (POAA) and Condominium Act give associations a lien priority for certain unpaid dues, though the priority position is limited compared to some other states. Buyers should request an association resale certificate which discloses outstanding balances.
City of Richmond (independent city)
Virginia has 38 independent cities that are not part of any county — Richmond is one of the largest. Richmond records are maintained at the Richmond Circuit Court Clerk's office, completely separate from Henrico or Chesterfield County records. Title searches covering the metro area must include Richmond City records independently.
City of Alexandria (independent city)
Alexandria's Old Town historic district is subject to Board of Architectural Review oversight. Exterior alterations to historic properties require BAR approval, which is a regulatory process (not a recorded lien) but can significantly delay or constrain renovation plans.
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