What Paperwork Is Required to Sell a Home in DC?

Understanding the Role of Paperwork in a DC Home Sale

In the DC Metro Area, selling a home involves more than signing a purchase agreement and handing over the keys. The paperwork you’ll complete governs compliance with local law, disclosure obligations, municipal taxes, and lender requirements.

DC’s unique tax structures, neighborhood associations in places like Capitol Hill or Alexandria, and the District’s condominium-heavy inventory in Navy Yard, Logan Circle, or Dupont Circle shape the documentation that’s required. Knowing which forms are mandatory—and which are situational—prevents last-minute surprises and delays at settlement.

Required Disclosure Documents in DC

Disclosures give buyers insight into the condition and known issues of a property. In the District of Columbia, sellers must complete certain disclosures by law.

Residential Property Disclosure Form

This is the primary disclosure document you must provide in DC. It covers material facts about the property’s condition that affect its value or desirability.

The form asks about structural issues, mechanical systems, water penetration, environmental hazards, renovations, and known defects. If you’re selling a rowhouse in Capitol Hill or a townhouse in Arlington, you’ll want to answer these questions carefully and accurately.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

If your home was built before 1978—and many in the Bethesda, Chevy Chase, or Alexandria areas were—you are required to provide buyers with a federally mandated lead-based paint disclosure.

This includes a history of known lead paint on the property, any records of testing, and an EPA pamphlet explaining the risks. This isn’t optional; it’s a federal rule tied to protecting buyers, especially families with children.

Condominium or Cooperative Disclosures

If you’re selling a condo in Navy Yard, Dupont Circle, or another part of the District with high condominium inventory, additional disclosures apply. These often include:

• Condo association bylaws, rules, and regulations
• Financial statements or reserve studies
• Assessment notices or upcoming special assessments
• Minutes from recent association meetings

For co-op units, disclosure requirements mirror these but are governed by corporate documents rather than homeowner association bylaws. The depth and format of these documents can vary by board and management company.

Contractual Documents for a DC Home Sale

Once you agree on price and terms with a buyer, a series of contracts and addendums become binding. These form the backbone of your transaction.

Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S)

The Agreement of Sale—or Purchase and Sale Contract—is the central legal document in any home sale. In DC, this contract outlines price, contingencies, closing date, deposits, and what’s included in the sale.

This agreement must be accurate and thorough because it governs what both you and the buyer are obligated to do. Any changes after signing require written amendments signed by both parties.

Contingency Addendums

Contingencies protect buyers and, at times, sellers. Common addendums include:

• Inspection contingency
• Appraisal contingency
• Financing contingency
• Title review and cure provisions

These addendums spell out rights and deadlines. For example, an inspection contingency gives the buyer a window to conduct inspections and request repairs or credits. Without clear timelines and signatures, disputes can arise.

Municipal and Local Tax Forms

DC collects taxes at settlement to ensure the city gets what it’s owed when property ownership changes hands. Specific forms and payments are tied to these obligations.

Deed and Recordation Tax Forms

DC charges a deed tax and a recordation tax on property transfers. The deed must be prepared accurately to reflect the legal description and ownership change, and the associated tax forms must accompany it at recordation.

The rate varies based on the sale price and whether the buyer is a first-time homeowner or not. Your title company or attorney typically prepares these forms, but as a seller, you should confirm they’re handled correctly.

Property Transfer Tax Returns

In addition to the deed and recordation taxes, there’s a property transfer tax return that must be filed at closing. This ensures the city assesses the correct taxes on the transaction. Errors can delay recording and create post-closing headaches for both you and the buyer.

Title and Survey Documents

Title and surveys protect both parties by clarifying boundaries and ownership history. While buyers often order these, sellers need to be prepared to provide relevant documents if they already exist.

Title Commitment or Title Report

The title company issues a title commitment after a search. This outlines any liens, encumbrances, easements, or title exceptions that must be resolved before closing. As the seller, you’ll need to clear liens or work with your attorney or agent to negotiate resolution.

For example, if a property tax lien or contractor’s mechanic lien exists on a home in Arlington or Bethesda, that must be paid or subordinated before the sale can close.

Survey or Plot Plan

While not always required in DC, a property survey or plot plan that shows boundaries, improvements, and encroachments can prevent disputes. This is particularly relevant if your home sits on a unique lot in Capitol Hill or a semi-detached property in Chevy Chase.

Some buyers request updates to outdated surveys, and negotiating who pays for a new survey is part of contract discussions.

Inspection and Repair Documents

Inspections are critical in DC’s diverse housing stock, from Victorian-era homes to modern condos. While you’re not required to fix every issue uncovered, the documentation around inspections matters.

Inspection Reports

Buyers typically commission general home inspections, pest inspections, and specialized checks like radon or HVAC. These reports don’t become part of the recorded sale, but they do form the basis for any repair negotiations or credits.

As a seller, you’ll receive copies if you agree to address issues or offer concessions. Your attorney or agent will keep these with the transaction file.

Repair Agreements and Credits

If you agree to repairs or credits at closing, these terms must be documented. Repair riders or addendums spell out what will be fixed, by whom, and by when.

In the DMV market, buyers sometimes ask for credits instead of repairs so they can manage updates post-closing, especially in neighborhoods like Dupont Circle or Alexandria where renovation preferences vary widely.

Settlement and Closing Documents

As you approach closing day, a final stack of paperwork awaits. These documents finalize the sale and transfer ownership.

Closing Disclosure

The Closing Disclosure (CD) outlines all financial details of the transaction. While buyers receive this directly from their lender, sellers often see a seller’s settlement statement or a copy of the CD to confirm prorations, taxes, commissions, and net proceeds.

Review this carefully. Errors in prorated taxes, HOA dues, or commission figures can impact your net proceeds from the sale.

Deed and Transfer Documents

At the closing table, you’ll sign the deed, which transfers ownership to the buyer. This document must match the legal description and recording requirements of DC’s Recorder of Deeds.

Your signature is often notarized, and the deed is then recorded along with the tax forms discussed earlier. Once recorded, the buyer officially owns the property.

Why Working With an Experienced Team Matters

Getting the paperwork right when you sell my home in DC isn’t an academic exercise. Mistakes can delay closings, create liability, or trigger renegotiations.

The Collective has helped over 2,000 families buy and sell throughout the DMV. We’ve seen every permutation of paperwork issues—from title surprises in Arlington to association disclosure gaps in Navy Yard condos. With 200+ years of combined real estate experience, we guide you through each document, what it means, and how to satisfy requirements efficiently.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even seasoned sellers can fall into documentation traps. Awareness and early preparation go a long way toward avoiding costly delays.

Incomplete Disclosures

Failing to complete the DC Residential Property Disclosure accurately can stall negotiations or expose you to post-closing claims. Make time to review every section and ask your agent to clarify ambiguous questions.

Missing Condo or HOA Documents

Condo resale packages often have tight delivery deadlines. Missing or incomplete packages in places like Dupont Circle or Bethesda can trigger buyer termination rights or late fees. Start this process early with your association.

Title Exceptions and Liens

Unexpected liens or title exceptions can delay closing. A proactive title search before listing helps identify and address these issues so they don’t derail your sale.

Tips for a Smooth Document Workflow

• Start disclosures early—complete them before listing.
• Assemble condo or HOA documents proactively if applicable.
• Review the Purchase and Sale Agreement with your agent or attorney.
• Coordinate with your title company to clear liens in advance.
• Keep a running file of all forms and correspondence organized by section.

These best practices reduce stress and keep your closing on track.