Virginia FHA Loans at a Glance: just 3.5% down · FICO from 580 · Northern Virginia limits up to $1,249,125 · pairs with a Virginia Housing grant · NMLS #1826020
Virginia FHA Home Loans · Direct Lender Since 1998

FHA Loans Virginia

Buy a Virginia home with as little as 3.5% down and a credit score from 580. From Northern Virginia’s tech corridor to Richmond and Hampton Roads, FHA delivers big buying power – up to the $1,249,125 ceiling – and it pairs with a Virginia Housing down-payment grant you never repay.

  • 3.5% down with a 580+ FICO (10% down from 500-579)
  • Northern Virginia FHA limits reach the $1,249,125 ceiling
  • Pair a Virginia Housing 2.5% grant – no repayment, no lien
  • Richmond ($707,250) and Hampton Roads ($757,850) offer the value play
  • Gift funds welcome; seller can pay up to 6% of closing costs

Start My Virginia FHA Application →

Get Pre-Approved for a Virginia FHA Loan

Fast, friendly, no obligation.

Get Your Free Quote! No Credit Pull Required.

★ 3.5% down★ 580 credit OK★ VA Housing grant★ Up to $1,249,125★ First-time friendly★ Serving VA since 1998

Why an FHA loan works in Virginia

An FHA loan is a government-insured mortgage that helps Virginia buyers qualify with flexible credit, a low down payment and higher debt-to-income than conventional financing. In high-cost Northern Virginia, FHA’s ceiling-level limit makes it a genuine alternative to a jumbo loan.

Virginia spans one of the country’s priciest metros and some of its best values. Whether you are a tech worker buying in Arlington or a family headed to a top Loudoun County school, an FHA loan – stacked with Virginia Housing assistance – gets you to closing with less cash down. Start your application →

2026 Virginia FHA loan limits by county

FHA loan limits are set by county with a clear multi-tier structure – Northern Virginia reaches the national ceiling while much of the state sits at the floor:

Northern Virginia / DC metro (1-unit)$1,249,125 (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Fauquier plus Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax City, Manassas and Fredericksburg)
Virginia Beach-Norfolk / Hampton Roads (1-unit)$757,850 (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, Williamsburg, James City, York and more)
Richmond metro (1-unit)$707,250 (Richmond City, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan and more)
Charlottesville metro (1-unit)$598,000 (Albemarle, Charlottesville City, Fluvanna, Greene, Nelson)
Standard Virginia counties (1-unit)$541,287 (Roanoke, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Blacksburg and more)

2026 one-unit FHA limits set annually by HUD; 2-4 unit limits are higher. We confirm the exact limit for your Virginia county before you write an offer.

Ready to see how much home you can buy in Virginia with 3.5% down? Get pre-approved today.
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Virginia down payment assistance you can pair with FHA

Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA) offers down-payment help that pairs with your FHA loan – including a true grant you never repay:

Down Payment Assistance Grant

A true grant – no repayment, no lien – of 2.5% of the price with a Virginia Housing FHA loan. For first-time buyers within income limits who bring at least 1% of their own funds.

Plus Second Mortgage

A repayable second up to 5% of price (plus 1.5% for closing costs), deferred until you sell or refinance. Not limited to first-timers; 680+ credit.

Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

A federal tax credit on a portion of your mortgage interest, boosting your take-home and buying power.

Who qualifies

Income and sales-price limits by area; a Virginia Housing FHA bond first mortgage anchors the assistance.

Gift funds & seller credits

Layer gift funds and up to 6% in seller credits with FHA and Virginia Housing help to cut cash to close.

Choose one

The 2.5% grant and the Plus Second Mortgage are separate options – we help you pick the better fit.

Ask about the Virginia Housing 2.5% grant – money you never repay.
See If You Qualify

Assistance programs have income, price and funding limits, are first-come while funds last, and are subject to change and eligibility. We confirm what you qualify for.

First-time buyer, family, or 55+ mover – we have a Virginia FHA program for you.
Start My Application

Virginia FHA loan requirements (2026)

Minimum down payment3.5% with a 580+ credit score (10% down with a 500-579 score)
Minimum credit scoreFrom 580; we also work with buyers rebuilding credit
Mortgage insurance (MIP)1.75% upfront (financed into the loan) plus an annual MIP around 0.15%-0.55%, paid monthly
Debt-to-income (DTI)Generally up to 43%-50% with compensating factors and automated approval
Down-payment sourceYour own funds, gift funds from family, or eligible down-payment assistance
Seller concessionsThe seller can contribute up to 6% toward your closing costs
Property typesSingle-family, FHA-approved condos, townhomes, and 2-4 unit owner-occupied Virginia homes
OccupancyPrimary residence (you will live in the home)
Co-borrowersNon-occupant co-borrowers (e.g., a parent) are allowed to help you qualify
Buy a Virginia home with an FHA loan - apply nowYour Virginia home is closer than you think →

Virginia FHA highlights

  • 3.5% down – keep more cash in your pocket
  • 580 credit accepted; flexible, common-sense underwriting
  • Gift funds & Virginia Housing help can cover your down payment
  • Buy a home, condo or up to a 4-unit you live in
  • Refinance later with an FHA Streamline – no appraisal needed

Get My FHA Pre-Approval →

Virginia FHA loan calculators

Run the numbers on your Virginia FHA loan in seconds. These estimators are for planning only – apply for your exact, personalized figures.

1. FHA monthly payment

Estimate your full monthly payment including FHA mortgage insurance.

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Total monthly payment
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Principal, interest & MIP

2. Down payment & cash to close

See your down payment and estimated cash after seller credits.

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Estimated cash to close
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Down payment amount

3. How much home can I afford?

Estimate your FHA price range from income and monthly debts.

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Estimated home price
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Max housing payment

4. FHA loan amount + MIP

See your base loan plus the 1.75% upfront MIP financed in.

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Total financed (with UFMIP)
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Base loan / 1.75% UFMIP

Estimates only and not a commitment to lend. FHA charges 1.75% upfront MIP (financed) plus a monthly annual premium (~0.55% here for illustration). Actual figures depend on your property, credit and qualification.

Pair a Virginia Housing grant with FHA - money you never repay.
See If I Qualify

Best Virginia places for families & top schools

Buying where the schools are strong protects your family and your home's value. These Virginia districts consistently earn top marks:

Falls Church City

One of Virginia's very top school systems in a walkable inner-suburb setting.

Fairfax County (McLean, Langley, Oakton)

Nationally ranked schools across Northern Virginia's largest district.

Loudoun County (Ashburn)

Fast-growing, highly rated schools in the heart of the tech corridor.

Williamsburg-James City

Top-rated Historic Triangle schools with coastal-Virginia charm.

Chesterfield & Henrico (Richmond)

Strong suburban Richmond districts like Short Pump and Midlothian.

Virginia Beach

Solid schools plus oceanfront living and a deep military community.

Best Virginia 55+ & active-adult communities

Virginia has a growing 55+ market, and FHA can finance a home in an age-restricted community (condos must be FHA-approved). Popular options include:

Heritage Hunt (Gainesville)

Del Webb golf and resort community in the DC exurbs.

Lake Frederick (Winchester area)

Trilogy active-adult living on a private lake in the Shenandoah region.

Two Rivers (Northern Virginia edge)

Amenity-rich 55+ community with lake and clubhouse living.

Villas at Dogwood (Richmond area)

Low-maintenance active-adult homes near the capital.

Cul-de-sac communities (Hampton Roads)

Coastal 55+ neighborhoods near Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

Del Webb communities (statewide)

Trusted active-adult neighborhoods across the state's growth corridors.

Virginia cities we serve for FHA loans

As a direct FHA lender since 1998, we help buyers across every Virginia metro. A few of the cities where we finance FHA purchases and refinances:

  • Virginia Beach
  • Norfolk
  • Chesapeake
  • Richmond
  • Arlington
  • Alexandria
  • Fairfax
  • Newport News
  • Ashburn
  • Roanoke
  • Fredericksburg
  • Charlottesville
  • Lynchburg
  • Suffolk
  • Hampton
  • Leesburg
  • Manassas
  • Harrisonburg
  • Woodbridge
  • Blacksburg

Do not see your city? Start your application → - we lend statewide across Virginia.

Start your Virginia FHA loan today

Whether it is your first home, a bigger place near great schools, or a fresh start in a 55+ community, we match you to the right FHA program and get you pre-approved fast - with as little as 3.5% down.

  • Same-week pre-approval
  • Down-payment assistance and gift funds welcome
  • Friendly, local Virginia guidance since 1998

Apply for My Virginia FHA Loan →

Apply for your Virginia FHA home loanGet pre-approved with 3.5% down →

Virginia housing & FHA outlook for 2027

What Virginia FHA buyers should watch heading into 2027:

Where the world's internet lives

Roughly two-thirds of global internet traffic runs through Northern Virginia; the Loudoun data-center buildout and the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus keep high-earning tech demand strong.

Federal employment is the swing factor

DC-metro federal jobs have softened, but Northern Virginia has held up with low unemployment - watch for continued diversification away from federal reliance.

A more balanced market

2026-2027 is trending toward balance - modest price gains and more inventory, easing NoVA's chronic affordability crunch.

Richmond & Hampton Roads value

High FHA limits ($707K and $757K) at far lower prices draw buyers priced out of the DC suburbs.

Outlook only, not a guarantee or financial advice. Market conditions change; we give you current, personalized numbers when you apply.

How to get a Virginia FHA loan

Get pre-approved

Apply online in minutes and we confirm your budget, rate and down payment - with as little as 3.5% down.

Find your home

Shop with confidence in the Virginia community and school zone you want; your pre-approval makes your offer stronger.

Underwrite & appraise

We handle the FHA appraisal and approval - flexible on credit, gift funds and DTI.

Close & move in

Sign, get your keys, and start building equity in your Virginia home.

Virginia FHA loan programs

FHA Purchase

3.5% down to buy a Virginia home, condo or 2-4 unit you live in.

FHA Streamline Refinance

Lower your rate or payment with reduced documentation and no new appraisal required.

FHA 203(k) Renovation

Roll the purchase price and renovation costs into one FHA loan.

FHA Cash-Out Refinance

Tap your Virginia home equity up to FHA limits.

FHA Condo Loans

Financing for units in FHA-approved Virginia condominium projects.

Down-Payment Assistance

Pair your FHA loan with Virginia DPA and gift funds to buy with less cash.

Virginia FHA loan FAQ

What are the 2026 FHA loan limits in Northern Virginia?

Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford and the DC-metro cities) reaches the 2026 national ceiling of $1,249,125 for a one-unit home. Hampton Roads is $757,850, Richmond $707,250, Charlottesville $598,000, and the rest of Virginia is at the $541,287 floor.

Is the Virginia Housing down-payment grant really not repaid?

Yes - the Down Payment Assistance Grant is a true grant of 2.5% of the price (with a Virginia Housing FHA loan). There is no lien and no repayment for eligible first-time buyers within income limits who contribute at least 1% of their own funds.

How much down payment do I need for an FHA loan in Virginia?

Just 3.5% of the purchase price with a credit score of 580 or higher (10% down if your score is 500-579). Your down payment can come from savings, a gift from family, or eligible down-payment assistance.

Can I use an FHA loan to buy a condo in Virginia?

Yes - the condominium project must be on the FHA-approved list, or we can request single-unit (spot) approval. We check your specific building.

Can I use an FHA loan as a first-time buyer in Virginia?

Absolutely - FHA is the most popular loan for first-time buyers thanks to 3.5% down, a 580 credit minimum and gift-fund allowance, and it pairs with Virginia Housing assistance.

Is CambridgeHomeLoan.com a direct FHA lender?

Yes - we are a direct lender (NMLS #1826020) serving homebuyers since 1998, with friendly guidance from application to closing.

Apply for your Virginia FHA loan

Get pre-approved in minutes - 3.5% down, credit from 580, gift funds and down-payment assistance welcome. A direct FHA lender serving Virginia since 1998.

Get Pre-Approved for a Virginia FHA Loan

Fast, friendly, no obligation.

Get Your Free Quote! No Credit Pull Required.

Start My Application →

Serving Virginia homebuyers Since 1998!
© 2026 CambridgeHomeLoan.com  ·  NMLS #1826020  ·  4830 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609  ·  (800) 826-5077  ·  Equal Housing Lender  ·  NMLS Consumer Access

Rates, terms, FHA loan limits and program guidelines are for 2026, subject to change, and depend on the property, credit and qualification. Not a commitment to lend. This is not a government agency. Equal Housing Lender.


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