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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58611</law_id><section_number>55.1-1007</section_number><catch_line>Disclosure</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="55.1">Property and Conveyances</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Real Estate Settlements and Recordation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="10">Real Estate Settlement Agents</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>All <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> involving the purchase of real estate containing not more than four residential dwelling units shall include in at least 10-point boldface type the following language:
		&#x201C;Choice of <span class="dictionary">Settlement Agent</span>: Chapter 10 (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/55.1-1000/">55.1-1000</a> et seq.) of Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia provides that the purchaser or borrower has the right to select the <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> to handle the closing of this transaction. The <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span>&#x2019;s role in closing this transaction involves the coordination of numerous administrative and clerical functions relating to the collection of documents and the collection and disbursement of funds required to carry out the terms of the <span class="dictionary">contract</span> between the parties. If part of the purchase price is financed, the lender for the purchaser will instruct the <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> as to the signing and recording of loan documents and the disbursement of loan proceeds. No <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> can provide legal advice to any <span class="dictionary">party</span> to the transaction except a <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> who is engaged in the private practice of <span class="dictionary">law</span> in Virginia and who has been retained or engaged by a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to the transaction for the purpose of providing legal services to that <span class="dictionary">party</span>. No <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> may collect any fees from a represented seller payable to the <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> or its subsidiaries, affiliates, or subcontractors without first obtaining the written consent of the seller&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">counsel</span>.
		&#x201C;Variation by agreement: The provisions of Chapter 10 (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/55.1-1000/">55.1-1000</a> et seq.) of Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia may not be varied by agreement, and rights conferred by this chapter may not be waived. The seller may not require the use of a particular <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span> as a condition of the sale of the property.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Escrow</span>, closing, and settlement services guidelines: The Virginia State Bar <span class="dictionary">issues</span> guidelines to help <span class="dictionary">settlement agents</span> avoid and prevent the unauthorized practice of <span class="dictionary">law</span> in connection with furnishing <span class="dictionary">escrow</span>, settlement, or closing services. As a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to a real estate transaction, the purchaser or borrower is entitled to receive a copy of these guidelines from his <span class="dictionary">settlement agent</span>, upon request, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 10 (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/55.1-1000/">55.1-1000</a> et seq.) of Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia.&#x201D;</p></section></text><history>1997, c. 716, &#xA7; 6.1-2.22; 2009, c. 140; 2010, c. 794, &#xA7; 55-525.23; 2019, c. 712; 2023, c. 493.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
