Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program
Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development
Below-market home price
Buy a new or resale home at a below-market price through the county Affordable Dwelling Unit program; homes are priced from about $95,000 to the low $200,000s.
Shared equity
Locations listed in HomeBase: Virginia
This may not be the program's complete service area. Check the provider's location rules for the home you want to buy.
How and when you repayThere's nothing to repay — you buy the home at a below-market price. The trade-off: for the first 30 years, if you sell, the resale price is set by the program so the home stays affordable for the next buyer.
Who can apply
About you
- Household income up to 70% of area median income, with a minimum of $25,000.
- Credit score of at least 620 and able to qualify for a mortgage.
- Complete a Virginia Housing homebuyer education course.
- Resale is price-controlled by the program for the first 30 years of ownership.
The home
- Must not have owned a home in the past 3 years.
The program makes the final eligibility decision.
Full requirements, documents, and history
Income tables, education requirements, contacts, complete rules, stacking guidance, sources, and change history
Documents needed
- County orientation/application packet
- Virginia Housing homebuyer education certificate
- Lender pre-approval form
- Documents listed in the current application packet
Reader request
Want us to check this program?
Ask HomeBase to re-check Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program’s current funding, operation, and key terms. Requests help us prioritize the queue; only evidence changes the listing.
What can I combine this with?
Most buyers can use more than one program on the same purchase — a state program under a county one, an employer benefit under both. Taking one when three were available is the most expensive mistake on this site, and it is usually made in silence.
Show what stacks with Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program(1 confirmed, 11 to check)
Confirmed — these combine(1)
A published rule from the programs themselves says so, and we cite it.
- Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance GrantVirginia Housing
A true down payment grant with no repayment, paired with an eligible Virginia Housing first mortgage.
Works only if the FTHB unit is financed with an eligible Virginia Housing first mortgage (e.g., the FCRHA-sponsored SPARC loans Fairfax arranges for FTHB buyers) and the buyer meets DPA Grant income, sales-price, and first-time-buyer limits. (Per Virginia Housing — DPA Grant Program Guidelines (Last Revised March 2026): "Yes, the DPA Grant can be used when SPARC is being used for the eligible first mortgage in accordance with SPARC guidelines.")
Worth asking about(11)
No published rule either way. One phone call settles it — and the answer can be worth thousands.
- Affinity HomeAdvantage Cash RewardsAffinity Federal Credit Union; provided by CU Realty Services/HomeAdvantage
Affinity members who buy or sell through an assigned HomeAdvantage network agent may receive a commission-funded cash reward.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Affinity HomeAdvantage Cash Rewards. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Affordable Loan Solution®Bank of America
Unverified research entry — details not yet confirmed.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Affordable Loan Solution®. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- AgFed ARM Closing Cost SpecialAgriculture Federal Credit Union (AgFed)
AgFed pays $1,500 to $3,500 toward closing costs on eligible adjustable-rate purchase mortgages while the temporary offer remains available.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at AgFed ARM Closing Cost Special. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP)Albemarle County Office of Housing / Piedmont Housing Alliance
A zero-interest, deferred-payment down-payment loan for eligible first-time buyers purchasing in Albemarle County.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Albemarle County Homebuyer Assistance Program (ACHAP). Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Alexandria Employee Homeownership Incentive ProgramCity of Alexandria Office of Housing
$15,000 up to 80% AMI; $11,500 at 80%-120% AMI; $7,500 above 120% AMI, subject to current limits.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Alexandria Employee Homeownership Incentive Program. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Alliant Advantage MortgageAlliant Credit Union
Qualified first-time buyers may receive an Alliant Advantage adjustable-rate mortgage with no down payment and no PMI on loans up to $650,000.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Alliant Advantage Mortgage. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Andrews Federal FHLB First-Time Homebuyer GrantAndrews Federal Credit Union through the Federal Home Loan Bank
Limited grant assistance for down payment and closing costs for a qualifying first-time buyer.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Andrews Federal FHLB First-Time Homebuyer Grant. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- AppCAA First-Time Homebuyer Loan and SPARC ProgramAppalachian Community Action and Development Agency
Nonprofit loan packaging for USDA 502 Direct financing and access to a one-percentage-point SPARC mortgage-rate reduction.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at AppCAA First-Time Homebuyer Loan and SPARC Program. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Arlington County Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)Arlington County Housing Division
An open Arlington deferred second mortgage of up to 25% of the purchase price or $112,500 for down payment and closing costs, with shared appreciation at repayment.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Arlington County Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP). Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Arlington Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)Arlington County Housing Division
An open 30-year, no-interest second mortgage of up to $112,500 for an eligible first-time Arlington buyer.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Arlington Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP). Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
- Atlantic Union Bank STAR Portfolio Loan ProgramAtlantic Union Bank
A portfolio first mortgage for an eligible low- or moderate-income buyer or property, offering no mortgage insurance and up to 100% combined financing with the bank’s Closing the Gap second lien.
No published rule either way. Many programs at different levels do combine — this is a short phone call, and the answer can be worth thousands.
Here’s the question to ask
Hello — I'm a homebuyer looking at Atlantic Union Bank STAR Portfolio Loan Program. Can it be used on the same purchase as Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers Program (Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development)? If it can: 1. Is there a cap on total assistance from all sources combined? 2. Do I need to disclose the other program before I apply, or does it matter which I apply to first? 3. Does using both change the repayment or forgiveness terms of yours? Thank you.
Ask both program offices, not just one. When their answers differ, the stricter answer is the one that applies at closing.
We only mark a pair confirmed when a published program rule says so and we can cite it. Everything else is honestly unsettled — which is not the same as “no”. Confirm with a housing counselor or your lender before you count on any combination.
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