Buying in Fairfax can feel out of reach when you look at the cash needed for a down payment and closing costs. The good news is you may not have to do it alone. Virginia offers real down payment help, and you can use it on homes in Fairfax if you qualify. In this guide, you will learn what the Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance grant is, how it differs from DHCD’s program, who qualifies, and the exact steps to take in Fairfax. Let’s dive in.
Virginia Housing DPA at a glance
Virginia Housing offers a Down Payment Assistance Grant that reduces what you need to bring to closing. It is a true grant that you do not repay and it must be used with an eligible Virginia Housing first mortgage through an approved lender. You can also explore a Closing Cost Assistance Grant for certain RHS or VA loans, and a Plus second mortgage if you need more help.
- Learn more about the Down Payment Assistance Grant on Virginia Housing’s site: Down Payment Assistance Grant
- For closing fees on RHS or VA bond loans, see the Closing Cost Assistance Grant
- Review loan options and program basics at Virginia Housing home loans
Who qualifies in Fairfax
To use Virginia Housing DPA, you generally need to be a first-time buyer, which means you have not owned and occupied a home in the last three years. The first-time rule can be waived in designated Areas of Economic Opportunity. You must also meet Virginia Housing income, sales price, and loan limits for the Fairfax area and use an eligible Virginia Housing loan product.
Many loan combinations require a small buyer contribution, often around 1 percent, which your lender will confirm for your scenario. You will also complete homebuyer education before closing, which is a standard requirement and is accepted by many local programs in Fairfax. Check current area limits here: Virginia Housing lending limits.
DHCD DPA in Northern Virginia
Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) runs a separate HOMEownership Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance program. It is delivered by local providers and can offer larger help, commonly up to 10 percent of the purchase price, sometimes 15 percent in approved areas, plus limited closing cost support. Program amounts and limits are set by DHCD and local providers and funds are limited.
In Northern Virginia, you apply through a local provider rather than DHCD directly. Creating Foundations for Hope is one provider that serves Fairfax. Typical features include income limits around 80 percent of area median income, a required first mortgage, and homebuyer education.
- Program overview: DHCD DPA
- Local Northern Virginia provider: Creating Foundations for Hope
Step-by-step: Using DPA in Fairfax
- Confirm eligibility. Ask a Virginia Housing approved lender to check Fairfax income, sales price, and loan limits and whether you meet the first-time buyer definition or qualify for an exception. Start here: Virginia Housing home loans.
- Complete homebuyer education. Virginia Housing’s certificate is widely accepted, and Fairfax County’s programs recognize it. See Fairfax County’s overview: First-Time Homebuyers.
- Get preapproved with a Virginia Housing lender. Choose an eligible loan product that works with the DPA grant.
- Shop and write an offer. Your lender will confirm that the property price fits area limits.
- Coordinate your assistance. Your lender will request the Virginia Housing DPA as part of your loan. If you are also seeking DHCD funds, apply with the local provider and coordinate timing with your lender.
- Close with grant funds. Grant credits are applied on your closing disclosure by the lender and settlement agent.
Documents to gather
- Government ID and Social Security number
- Recent pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns
- Bank and asset statements
- Employment verification and any gift letters
- Signed purchase contract and lender preapproval
- Homebuyer education certificate
Your lender and any DHCD provider will supply program-specific forms. See how Virginia Housing handles loan and grant documentation at loan and grant resources.
Timing to expect
Homebuyer education and preapproval can take 1 to 3 weeks. Underwriting and program approvals may add a few more weeks, especially if you layer DHCD assistance with your Virginia Housing loan. Starting early with both your lender and any local provider helps you stay on a standard closing timeline.
Stacking assistance the right way
Virginia Housing’s DPA grant must be paired with an eligible Virginia Housing first mortgage. In some cases you can combine it with non-Virginia Housing assistance, but lender approval is required. DHCD funds are administered by local providers that set their own pairing rules. Some allow stacking with a Virginia Housing loan, others set limits. Coordinate early with your lender and the local provider to avoid timing conflicts.
- Program pairing basics: Virginia Housing home loans
- Local provider guidance: Creating Foundations for Hope
Why this matters in Fairfax
Fairfax prices are high, which can make cash to close a hurdle even for strong buyers. Grants can help bridge the gap. As a simple example, on an 800,000 dollar purchase, a 2 percent grant toward closing costs would be 16,000 dollars and a 10 percent down payment assistance award would be 80,000 dollars. Your actual eligibility and amounts depend on the program you use and current limits.
Where to get help
- Virginia Housing DPA details and lender connections: Down Payment Assistance Grant
- Closing cost support for RHS or VA loans: Closing Cost Assistance Grant
- DHCD program information and statewide updates: DHCD DPA
- Northern Virginia local provider: Creating Foundations for Hope
- Fairfax County homebuyer resources and education: First-Time Homebuyers
- Note that program details and budgets can change. State budget updates can affect availability: Virginia budget amendment notes
If you want a clear plan for using assistance with a competitive Fairfax offer strategy, connect with Rick Shewell. You will get local guidance, lender coordination, and a step-by-step path from preapproval to keys.
FAQs
What is the Virginia Housing DPA grant and do you repay it?
- It is a true grant applied at closing to reduce your down payment requirement when you use an eligible Virginia Housing loan, and you do not repay it. See details at the Down Payment Assistance Grant.
Who counts as a first-time buyer for Virginia Housing in Fairfax?
- Generally, you have not owned and occupied a primary residence in the last three years; purchases in designated Areas of Economic Opportunity may be exempt. Review definitions at Virginia Housing home loans.
Can you combine DHCD DPA with a Virginia Housing loan in Fairfax?
- Possibly. Some local providers allow stacking, but rules and timing vary. Coordinate early with your Virginia Housing lender and the Northern Virginia provider, such as Creating Foundations for Hope.
How much assistance could you receive in Fairfax?
- Virginia Housing grants typically cover a portion of your down payment or up to 2 percent for certain closing costs, while DHCD assistance can reach 10 to 15 percent of the price in some areas, subject to program limits and availability. Start with the Virginia Housing DPA and confirm DHCD amounts at DHCD DPA.
Do you need homebuyer education for these programs?
- Yes. Both Virginia Housing and DHCD require a homebuyer education course or certificate, and Fairfax County programs accept the Virginia Housing certificate. Learn more at First-Time Homebuyers.
How are DPA funds applied at closing in Fairfax?
- Your lender and settlement agent apply grants on the closing disclosure as credits to you according to program rules. See Virginia Housing’s overview of loan and grant processing at loan and grant resources.
