Home Loans in Arlington, VA

Home loans come in more shapes than most buyers expect, and the right one depends on your situation rather than on a single headline. In Arlington, a first-time buyer, a veteran, a family eyeing a rural property and someone planning a remodel may each land on a different loan. This guide lays out the main options available in Virginia and helps you narrow the field.

Ready to talk it through?

Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about home loans in Arlington. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.

Call (888) 912-6746 Apply Online Now

Matching a home loan to Arlington

$895,000Median home value

6.3%Veterans (adults)

53%Homes built before 1980

27%Owner households 65+

Local numbers point to which loan types come up most in Arlington:

If you are…	Arlington data	Loan type
Veterans and service members	6.3% of adults in Arlington are veterans	See options
Higher-priced homes	median home value is $895,000	See options
Fixer-uppers and older homes	53% of homes were built before 1980	See options
Homeowners 62 and older	27% of owner households are headed by someone 65+	See options
Credit history still rebuilding	FHA made up 2% of 2024 loans in Arlington County	See options

The main home loan types at a glance

Most home loans fall into two families. Conventional loans are privately funded and typically sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Government-backed loans include FHA loans, insured by the Federal Housing Administration; VA loans, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and USDA loans, offered through USDA Rural Development for eligible rural locations.

Beyond those families sit specialty loans. Jumbo loans cover amounts above the yearly conforming limit. Construction loans fund a new build in stages. Renovation loans roll repair or remodel costs into the mortgage. Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate versions exist for many of these, along with a range of term options.

Start hereApply Online Now

Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.

Takes a few minutes
Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
No obligation to proceed

Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.

Which loan fits your situation

Start with your strongest qualifier. Military service points first toward VA loans. A property in an eligible rural area points toward USDA. A credit history that is still being rebuilt often points toward FHA, while solid credit and steady income may make a conventional loan attractive.

Then layer in your project. If the price is high, ask about jumbo options. If you are building on land, ask about construction financing. If the house needs work, ask about renovation loans or using a separate home equity product later. Many borrowers qualify for more than one path, so compare at least two.

Who this tends to fit

You are rebuilding credit and want to know whether FHA may fit
You are buying a first home and want to see every loan type on the table
You are shopping for a higher-priced home that may need a jumbo loan
You found a fixer-upper and want to finance repairs with the purchase
You are a veteran or service member weighing VA against other options

Local offices and Virginia rules to know

Deed and mortgage recording: Arlington County Clerk of the Circuit Court - Land Records Division. Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
Local homebuyer program: Moderate-Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) (Arlington County (Housing program)). Helps first-time homebuyers cover part of their down payment and closing costs with a deferred loan that is repaid when the home is sold or refinanced. Check current eligibility and terms with the program directly.

Virginia's state housing finance agency is Virginia Housing. Its homebuyer programs include Conventional first mortgage (bond and non-bond), FHA first mortgage (bond and non-bond), VA first mortgage (bond and non-bond). These programs work through participating lenders and have their own eligibility rules. See our Virginia first-time buyer programs guide.

Narrowing your options in Arlington

Once you have two or three candidate loan types, compare them on the same footing. Ask a lender for a Loan Estimate on each option for the same property price. Look at how mortgage insurance or guaranty fees apply, how much cash you would need at closing, and how flexible the property standards are.

Also think about how long you plan to stay. A loan that fits a short stay may not be ideal for a long one. A licensed loan officer can explain the trade-offs, and every loan remains subject to credit approval.

Before you call

The property type: single-family, condo, multi-unit or manufactured
Whether you have military service, and your discharge paperwork if so
A sense of your credit history, including any recent credit events
How much cash you have set aside for upfront costs
Income documents such as pay stubs, W-2 forms or tax returns

Questions Arlington borrowers ask about home loans

Does the property type affect which loan I can get?

It can. Condos may need to meet project approval rules for certain programs, manufactured homes have specific requirements, and multi-unit properties are treated differently from single-family homes. USDA loans require an eligible rural location. Share the property address or listing with your lender early so any property issues come up before you are under contract.

What is the difference between a conventional loan and a government-backed loan?

A conventional loan is not insured or guaranteed by a federal agency and usually follows Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines. Government-backed loans include FHA loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration, VA loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and USDA loans backed by USDA Rural Development. Government backing can open doors for borrowers who might not fit conventional guidelines.

Can I finance home repairs as part of my mortgage?

Yes. Renovation loans such as the FHA 203(k) and certain conventional renovation programs let you roll repair or remodel costs into your purchase or refinance. You will typically need contractor bids and a plan for the work. Another route is buying with a standard loan and later using a home equity loan or line of credit.

What is a jumbo loan?

A jumbo loan is a mortgage for an amount above the conforming loan limit set each year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Because these loans cannot be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under standard guidelines, lenders often apply stricter documentation, reserve and appraisal standards. Conforming limits vary by county, so check the limit for your area.

Talk to a licensed loan officer

Get answers about home loans for a home in or around Arlington. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.