Virginia law

Real Estate Laws in Virginia.

Virginia real-estate law is governed principally by Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia (property) and Title 64.2 (decedents' estates and fiduciaries). Virginia follows the "lien theory" of mortgages and uses the deed of trust as the standard security instrument — with non-judicial foreclosure generally available under the terms of the deed of trust (Va. Code § 55.1-321 et seq.). Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, meaning local-government zoning authority is strictly construed. Virginia's Residential Property Disclosure Act (Va. Code § 55.1-700 et seq.) imposes seller-disclosure obligations on residential transfers.