The First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Program has been providing affordable homes primarily through the Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program to low- and moderate-income families since 1978. Homes are offered at sale prices well below the sale price of other homes in the same development community.
Owners are responsible for all home maintenance, home improvements, and compliance with homeowner or condominium fees, rules, and regulations.
Eligibility The following requirements apply to applicant homebuyers who wish to participate in the First-Time Homebuyer Program:
Must not have owned a home within the last three years.
Households must have at least $25,000 in annual income and not more than the income limits outlined below based on the size of the household.
Family Size
70% AMI
1
$81,400
2
$93,000
3
$104,600
4
$116,250
5
$125,550
6
$134,850
7
$144,150
8
$153,450
Households must be able to qualify for a home loan and have a credit score of at least 620 or more.
Households with individuals ages 55 and older may qualify for special criteria or offerings (please speak with Homeownership staff if you feel you may qualify).
Current home prices range from $95,000 to low $200,000s. FTHB unit purchasers agree to abide by the following covenant provisions.
COVENANTS Homebuyer agreements which control the occupancy, refinance and resale price of participating properties during the initial 30-years of ownership.
Each homeowner must:
Live in the home as your primary residence
Contact Fairfax County Homeownership staff before refinancing the home
Offer the participating home back to Fairfax County first when selling; and
Sell your home at a price determined by the FTHB program during the 30-year control period.
After a homeowner has resided in the home for 30-years, the unit must still be offered to Fairfax County, but the resale price may be set by the owner. Certain other covenant provisions still apply. The covenants may be found here.
Application and Selection Process
This orientation is an introduction to the full inventory of homebuyer programs offered by Fairfax County.It is also the first step in the application process for the First-Time Homebuyers Program.
Submit your completed application along with all required documents.
Questions about the material may be submitted by email to homeownership@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-246-5087, TTY 711.
All applicants must complete a Homebuyer Education Course offered by Virginia Housing. You may see all available classes online at www.virginiahousing.com/homebuyers. There is no cost to attend this class. All attendees will be provided with a certificate of completion which will need to be submitted as part of your application materials.
Applicants will need their lender to complete the pre-approval form (included in the Application Packet). This document will indicate the maximum home purchase price you qualify for under the FTHB Program and will need to be included in your application submission.
Applicants will be required to submit all application materials (as indicated in the Application Packet) to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority in one of three ways:
By Mail: Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority 3700 Pender Drive, Suite 100 Fairfax Virginia 22030
Deliver to the Housing Drop-Box: Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority 3700 Pender Drive, Suite 100 Fairfax Virginia 22030
Note: The drop box is located to the right of the main entrance of the building. Please ensure that all materials are sealed in an envelope with “Attention to Homeownership Division” written on the outside.
By Secure Fax: 703-653-1372
You will receive email confirmation within 72 hours of receipt.
When the Department of Housing and Community Development has received your application package, you will be contacted to attend an information session with staff to receive your passport which will allow you to enter drawings for available properties. During this session, staff will:
Review the covenants associated with purchasing a home through the program
Review the process for searching for available properties
Review the process for entering drawings for properties you are interested in
Answer any remaining questions you may have
Applicants who follow all of the above application steps and are approved to participate in FTHB Program drawings and may participate in the selection process. The random selection is based on household size and preference points. Applicants with the highest preference points will be considered first. Only applicants with a certificate of eligibility at the time of purchase may buy a First-Time Homebuyer unit.
A maximum of nine (9) preference points are awarded to those who:
Live or work in Fairfax County (5 points)
Have at least one child under the age of 18 Or a dependent with disabilities (1 point)
Participate in the program each year (Maximum of 3 points)
*If a home includes accessible features, priority is given to those who have a disability requiring the home’s features.
Homes for Sale
Only applicants with a valid Passport to Homeownership may enter the following unit drawings. No new applications nor changes to existing Passports will be accepted once the listing is posted. To ensure you qualify for the most drawings possible, please make sure your lender pre-approves you for the maximum loan amount you can afford. Passports are issued following the completion of Orientation and Information sessions, completed Lender Pre-Approval letter and completed and signed FTHB Program initial application. Units are listed as they become available from developers or current FTHB Program owners sell their home. Please check back on a weekly basis for new listings. Listings are open for a two-week period and you may not enter a drawing once the listing date expires.
ADUs Chain Bridge Estates - Upper Flat - IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE
