If you are planning to sell a home in Virginia or Washington, DC that is part of a homeowners association or condominium, you will be required to provide the buyer with a resale packet. This packet includes community rules, financials, fees, meeting minutes, and other important association information that buyers have a legal right to review during the home selling process.

One of the most common questions sellers ask is:

“Should I order these documents before we list the home, or wait until we are under contract?”

Below is a clear breakdown to help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation and your community.

What Is a Resale Packet?

A resale packet, sometimes called an HOA or condo disclosure packet, is a required collection of documents that outlines key details about your community. In Virginia and Washington, DC, buyers are given a defined review period after receiving these documents, during which they may cancel the contract without penalty.

Because the buyer’s review timeline is tied directly to when the resale packet is delivered, timing matters.

If you are getting ready to sell, you may also want to review our guide on what documents you need to sell your home.

Ordering Resale Documents Before You Hit the Market

Pros

Faster contract timeline
When resale documents are ordered in advance, they can be delivered to the buyer immediately after ratification. This shortens the buyer’s review period and often leads to a smoother, quicker path to closing in both Virginia and DC transactions.

Shows strong preparation
Buyers and their agents appreciate listings that are well prepared. Having documents ready upfront reduces uncertainty and reflects thoughtful planning, similar to completing other key steps before listing your home.

Avoids delays from slow management companies
Some HOA and condo management companies in the DC metro area take several days or longer to produce resale packets. Ordering early helps you stay in control of the timeline.

Early awareness of HOA or condo issues
Ordering ahead allows you to identify upcoming assessments, rule changes, litigation, or financial concerns before offers come in. This gives you time to strategize with your agent.

Helpful for financing and appraisal
Lenders and appraisers in Virginia and DC may request HOA or condo documentation during the loan or appraisal process. Having these materials ready can help prevent delays.

Cons

Documents may expire
Resale packets are typically valid for a limited time, often 30 to 90 days, depending on the association. If your home stays on the market longer, an updated packet may be required.

Upfront cost
Resale packets commonly cost $200 to $500 or more, depending on the association and processing speed.

HOA updates may require new documents
If budgets, rules, or disclosures change after you order the packet, a refreshed version may be needed.

Ordering Resale Documents After You Receive an Offer

Pros

No upfront cost before going under contract
You only pay for the resale packet once you have a committed buyer.

Lower risk of paying twice
Ordering later ensures the packet reflects the most current association information.

Buyer’s review period starts later
In some situations, this can be helpful if negotiations take time before documents are delivered.

Cons

The transaction may slow down
If the HOA or management company has a slow turnaround, multiple parts of the transaction may be delayed, including buyer review, inspections, appraisal, and closing. You can learn more about this stage in our guide to what happens once your home goes under contract.

Buyers may become impatient
Waiting on resale documents can create uncertainty and may affect buyer confidence, particularly in competitive markets like DC and Northern Virginia.

Rush fees may apply
If timing becomes tight, expedited processing fees can add unnecessary cost.

So, Which Approach Is Better?

You may want to order before listing if:

• Your HOA or condo association is slow to produce documents
  
• You want a predictable and efficient contract timeline
  
• You expect strong buyer interest
  
• You prefer to identify potential HOA or condo issues early

You may want to order after receiving an offer if:

• Your HOA updates documents frequently
  
• You prefer to avoid upfront costs
  
• Your association has a fast turnaround time

There is no single answer for every seller. The best choice depends on your community, your goals, and how quickly you expect your home to sell.

Our Recommendation

For many sellers in Virginia and Washington, DC, ordering the resale packet before listing helps prevent delays once the right buyer appears and keeps the transaction moving smoothly. However, the best approach depends on your specific HOA or condo association and your expected timeline.

If you are preparing to list your home and are unsure which option is right for you, please reach out.

Our team can help you decide based on your community, your market, and your goals!

Thinking About Selling? We Can Help!

Our team has guided hundreds of sellers across Virginia and Washington, DC through the resale packet process. We are here to make your sale as smooth, informed, and predictable as possible.

Get in touch by filling out the form below or reaching out by phone or email.

Sue Goodhart | sue@thegoodhartgroup.com

Allison Goodhart DuShuttle | allison@thegoodhartgroup.com

Phone: 703-362-3221

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