NMLS #2924 · Licensed in Virginia
Virginia → Arlington

First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Arlington, Virginia

Urban, walkable, close to DC jobs. Most Arlington first-time buyers are 28–35. Answer a few questions to see if you can afford a home here and get your Pre-Qualification Letter within minutes.

$875K
Median Home Price
0.78%
Property Tax Rate
3%
Min. FHA Down

Arlington First-Time Buyer Reality Check

The Arlington Market: At $875K median, Arlington is expensive. Most first-time buyers here either have equity from a parents' house, strong income, or a combination. If you're putting down 3% FHA, that's a $26,250 down payment on a median home. Conventional 5% is $43,750. It's a high bar, but it's doable — and your rate matters a lot in this market because monthly payment swings are significant on larger loan amounts.

Popular Arlington Neighborhoods for Homebuyers

If you're shopping in Arlington, these neighborhoods tend to have the most first-time buyer activity:

Ballston
Clarendon
Crystal City
Hyde Park
Courthouse
Del Ray (south)

Ballston and Clarendon tend to be slightly more affordable than Crystal City or Old Town, but all are premium pricing. School districts matter here — check Arlington County schools for your future plans.

Down Payment Scenarios for Arlington

Let's work backward from Arlington's $875K median. Here's what you'd need to save:

3%
Down Payment
FHA
$26,250 down
Easier credit (580+)
5%
Down Payment
Conventional
$43,750 down
Good rates
10%
Down Payment
Conventional
$87,500 down
Better rates
20%
Down Payment
Conventional
$175,000 down
Best rates, no PMI

Let's See If You're Ready

Quick pre-qualification based on your situation. We'll calculate your estimated payment and, if you qualify, send you a Pre-Qualification Letter within minutes.

✓
You're Ready
Estimated Monthly Payment
$5,778
Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (for planning purposes)
Target price: $875,000
Total available (saved + gift): $0
Minimum down payment needed (3%): $26,250
Your Qualification Factors
✓Credit 680+: Strong for conventional rates
✗Down payment: You have $0 saved (need $26,250)
○Family gift: Not using
✓Not a veteran (but VA programs available)
✓First-time buyer: You qualify for programs
✓Est. debt-to-income: Good

Get Your Pre-Qualification Letter

Provide your mobile number below. We'll text you an official Pre-Qualification Letter from 1st Nations Mortgage within minutes. Your name and phone is between you and 1st Nations. We don't sell leads or share your number with other mortgage companies. You'll only hear from 1st Nations Mortgage.

By submitting, you consent to receive an SMS from 1st Nations Mortgage Corp with your Pre-Qualification Letter and estimated rate information. No hard credit inquiry required for this pre-qualification. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. We respect your privacy and do not share your number with third parties. See our Privacy Policy.

✓ Your Pre-Qualification Letter is on the Way

We're reviewing your information now. You'll receive a text with your official Pre-Qualification Letter within minutes. This shows your estimated loan amount and rate based on the information you provided — no hard credit pull required.