NMLS #2924 · Licensed in Virginia
Virginia → Arlington

First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Arlington, Virginia

A sourced planning guide to Arlington market data, local property taxes, 2026 FHA limits, Virginia Housing programs, and clearly disclosed payment assumptions.

$857,000
three months ending June 2026 Median Sold Price
1.053%
Published Property-Tax Rate
3.5%
General FHA Minimum Down

As of August 29, 2026: Redfin Arlington Housing Market; Arlington County FY 2027 Adopted Budget; HUD 2026 FHA limits.

Arlington Market Reference

Reported market figure: $857,000 was the median recorded sale price for Arlington; median recorded sale price during three months ending June 2026. It is a historical market statistic, not an appraisal, forecast, or estimate of a specific property's value.

Source: Redfin Arlington Housing Market. Redfin calculates market statistics from MLS and/or public-record sale data; coverage and later revisions may affect the result. Source reviewed August 29, 2026.

Arlington Areas and Jurisdictions to Research

Neighborhood names, postal addresses, school boundaries, tax districts, and legal jurisdictions do not always match. Confirm the property's legal locality, assessment record, applicable tax district, insurance needs, and any condominium or homeowners-association charges before relying on a payment estimate.

Down Payment Scenarios for Arlington

Using the three months ending June 2026 median sold price of $857,000 only as a planning example:

3.5%
FHA Minimum Example
$29,995 down
Mortgage insurance applies
5%
Conventional Example
$42,850 down
Mortgage insurance may apply
10%
Conventional Example
$85,700 down
Terms vary by borrower
20%
Conventional Example
$171,400 down
PMI generally not required

The FHA 3.5% figure is a general minimum and is subject to adjusted value, credit, underwriting, and program rules. Closing costs and prepaid expenses are separate. Source: HUD FHA Resource Center, reviewed August 29, 2026.

2026 FHA Loan Limit: Arlington County

2026 FHA Single-Family Loan Limit
$1,249,125
Arlington County, Virginia
High-Cost Area
Max FHA Loan Amount
$1,249,125
single-family home
Minimum 3.5% Down Payment
$43,719
on a $1,249,125 FHA loan
Minimum Credit Score
580
for 3.5% down (FHA)

HUD lists a $1,249,125 maximum base FHA loan amount for a one-unit property in Arlington County for 2026. The loan limit is not a maximum purchase price; required cash depends on the price, adjusted value, financing structure, closing costs, and borrower eligibility.

FHA financing generally requires at least 3.5% down and includes mortgage insurance. Source: HUD's 2026 county-area limit table, effective January 1, 2026, and the official FHA Mortgage Limits lookup.

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: $857,000
Total available (saved + gift): $0
Planning down payment (3% conventional example): $25,710
Your Qualification Factors
✓Credit 680+: Strong for conventional rates
✗Down payment: You have $0 saved (need $25,710)
○Family gift: Not using
✓Not a veteran (but VA programs available)
✓First-time buyer: You qualify for programs
✓Est. debt-to-income: Good

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Sources, assumptions, and professional review

Reviewed by Robert Lee, licensed mortgage professional at 1st Nations Mortgage Corp, NMLS #2924. Verify through NMLS Consumer Access.

Materially updated August 29, 2026. Robert reviewed the mortgage terminology, FHA interpretation, example assumptions, jurisdiction notes, and primary-source links.

  • Market: Redfin Arlington Housing Market — Arlington; median recorded sale price; three months ending June 2026. Redfin figures are calculated from MLS and/or public-record sale data. Market statistics are historical and can be revised.
  • Property tax: Arlington County FY 2027 Adopted Budget — 1.053%, FY 2027 adopted rate, effective July 2026. $1.053 per $100 of assessed value; parcel-specific assessments and fees may vary.
  • FHA limit: HUD 2026 county-area limit table and official FHA Mortgage Limits lookup — $1,249,125 one-unit base loan limit for Arlington County, effective January 1, 2026.
  • Virginia assistance: Virginia Housing homebuyer programs, reviewed August 29, 2026. Product availability, funding, income/purchase-price limits, property rules, education requirements, and lender approval can change.
  • Payment example: calculated August 29, 2026 using a 30-year fixed term, 5.55% illustrative interest rate, 3% conventional planning down payment, the tax rate described above, $100 per month homeowners insurance, and annual mortgage insurance of approximately 0.55%–0.60% of the modeled loan amount. HOA dues, flood insurance, special assessments, closing costs, prepaid items, and other property-specific charges are excluded. APR is not calculated or displayed because the example does not model all finance charges. This is not a current rate quote, Loan Estimate, approval, or commitment to lend.

Editorial and review process

We prefer government and program-administrator sources for loan limits, taxes, and assistance programs; identify the geographic coverage and reporting period for market data; recompute examples from the displayed assumptions; and have a licensed mortgage professional review material mortgage claims. Pages are rechecked when annual HUD limits or local tax rates change and when a newer market reporting period is adopted. Readers should verify current program terms and parcel-specific taxes before making a financial decision.