Selling a house in Virginia, Maryland or DC from out of state
You may not need to fly back to close. Here's how remote and mail-away closings work and what to line up first.
No obligation. No pressure. Takes about 2 minutes.
The short answer
You can often sell without being there. Virginia, Maryland and DC all allow notarizations over audio and video for a signer who isn't in the room, with identity checks and, in Maryland and DC, a recording kept for at least 10 years. A sale can also close by mail, with you signing in front of a notary where you live. Ask the settlement company early which method it accepts.
Step by step
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Start with the settlement company
Ask whether it will accept a remote online notarization, a mail-away signing package, or a notary who comes to you. Its answer decides the rest of the plan.
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Remote online notarization
The notary confirms who you are, for example by personal knowledge, a credible witness, or ID checks like credential analysis, and the session is done by live audio and video. Maryland and DC require the notary to keep a recording of the session for at least 10 years.
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Mail-away closing
The settlement company sends you the documents, you sign in front of a notary where you live, and you overnight the originals back. Leave a few extra days for shipping.
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Handle the house from afar
Arrange how the buyer gets keys and access, keep the utilities on until closing, and tell your insurer if the house is empty. Our vacant house guide covers the insurance side.
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If the house is in Maryland, plan for withholding
Maryland requires withholding tax to be paid on a nonresident's sale before the deed is recorded, unless an exemption applies, such as certifying the home was your principal residence. Our Maryland withholding guide explains it.
Sources: Code of Virginia § 47.1-2 · Md. Code, State Government § 18-214 · D.C. Code § 1-1231.13a · Md. Code, Tax-General § 10-912 · Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 17-110
This page explains the general rules. It isn't legal or tax advice. Signing requirements depend on the settlement company and your documents, so confirm the details with them or an attorney.
Cash offer vs listing
Example: a $250,000 home
| Offer | $205,000 |
|---|---|
| Repairs | $0 |
| Commissions | $0 |
| Closing costs | $0 |
| You walk away with | $205,000 |
| In 7 to 14 days | |
| Sale price | $250,000 |
|---|---|
| Repairs | about $8,000 |
| Commissions | about $13,800 |
| Closing and holding | about $6,000 |
| You walk away with | about $222,200 |
| In 60 to 90 days | |
Example only. Your numbers depend on your home and market.
From wherever you live, you can see the cash offer next to what listing could net, including the trips and time a listing may take.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be at the closing in person?
Often not. Remote online notarization is allowed in Virginia, Maryland and DC, and you can also sign by mail in front of a local notary. The settlement company decides which methods it accepts.
Can someone else sign for me?
An agent under a power of attorney that covers real estate can sign for you. Maryland requires a power of attorney to be notarized and signed by two adult witnesses, so have it checked by the settlement company early.
Will Maryland withhold tax because I live out of state?
Maryland requires withholding on a nonresident's sale before the deed is recorded, unless an exemption applies, such as certifying the home was your principal residence. A tax professional can tell you how it applies to you.
Who are you?
We are real estate investors based in Baltimore, helping homeowners since 2016. We buy houses directly for cash. We are not a licensed real estate brokerage and do not list homes ourselves; if listing could get you more, we show you the math so you can choose.