Fairlington · Buying a Home
Buying a Home in Fairlington
The right home, at the right price, with your eyes open, from the first conversation to closing day.
Buying a Home in Fairlington: A Historic Condo Community
Buying a home in Fairlington means buying a condo in a National Register historic district, built from 1942 to 1944 next to Shirlington. You can choose a townhouse-style condo on two, three or four levels, or a garden-style condo on one floor, in one of seven associations, each with its own fee, rules and amenities, including pools and tennis courts.
It is a popular first home, and some buyers purchase here to rent out. We help you compare layouts and associations so you know what you are getting before you offer.
Start My Fairlington Search
The Arlington Condo Market for Buyers
Condo buyers have more choice than a year ago. NVAR reported that in September 2026, condo and townhouse listings in its Northern Virginia region were up 49.7% from a year earlier, compared with 5.7% for detached homes. Arlington County had about 3.9 months of supply in September 2026, up from 3.0 a year earlier, so you may have more time and more room to negotiate.
Prices across Arlington still rose. According to Bright MLS, the county's median sale price from July through September 2026 was 11.1% higher than a year earlier. Before every offer, we prepare a home value report from recent Fairlington sales of the same layout, so you know what a unit is worth before you decide what to pay.
What to Check Before You Buy in Fairlington
With a condo, you buy into the association as well as the home. Review the monthly fee and what it covers, the rules, including any rules on renting the unit out, the reserve fund, any planned special assessments and the condition of the buildings. We help you go through the condo documents before you commit.
Inside, the home inspection shows you the condition of the kitchen, bathrooms, windows, heating and cooling and more. We can arrange it, or you can schedule it yourself, and we go through the report with you. If a unit is not right for you, we will say so, even if that means walking away. We would rather lose a sale than see you buy the wrong home.
How We Help You Buy in Fairlington
The Mike Webb Team is Mike and Claudia Webb at RE/MAX Allegiance, with more than 34 years in real estate. About three out of four of our sales are in Arlington. When you buy with us, you get:
- A buyer consultation before we start showing homes
- A search set to your needs, so new Fairlington listings come to you right away
- Showings with us, or our showing partner when we are booked
- A home value report before every offer, plus offer strategy and writing
- Negotiation on your behalf
- Help reviewing the condo documents and the inspection
- Closing support, including the final walk-through on closing day or a few days before
- Referrals to lenders, inspectors and contractors
Get pre-approved first, through a lender or your own bank or credit union. Then we sign a written buyer agreement together, so you know exactly how we will work for you.
Mikias, a first-time buyer, wrote on Zillow that Claudia “reminded us that we shouldn't rush and be desperate in getting one we may not like.” A buyer of a rental property wrote: “I had hundreds of questions, and he patiently answered them all or put me in contact with someone who could.”
Buying your first home? Read our first-time buyer guide. Buying to rent out? See buying an investment property and how we help you buy, step by step.
Life in Fairlington
Fairlington's associations have outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts, and some also have pickleball and basketball courts, playgrounds and walking paths. The Fairlington Community Center is at 34th Street South and South Stafford Street, and the Village at Shirlington's restaurants, library and theater are a short walk away.
Fairlington is served by Abingdon Elementary School, Gunston Middle School and Wakefield High School. Boundaries change, so check the current Arlington Public Schools map for the exact address before you buy.
Read more on our Fairlington page.
Ready to Look at Fairlington Condos?
Tell us what you are looking for and where you are in the process. We will meet with you and plan your next step, with no pressure.
Contact The Mike Webb Team or call or text 703-350-3884.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Fairlington homes condos?
Yes. Every Fairlington home is a condominium, either townhouse-style on two, three or four levels, or garden-style on one floor.
Can I buy a Fairlington condo to rent out?
Some buyers do. Each association has its own rules on renting, so we review them with you before you make an offer.
Which schools serve Fairlington?
Abingdon Elementary School, Gunston Middle School and Wakefield High School. Check the current Arlington Public Schools boundary map for any specific address.
Do I need to be pre-approved before I start looking?
Yes. Pre-approval is the first step. It tells you what you can borrow and shows sellers your offer is serious.
Fairlington
What buying a home looks like in Fairlington
About 3,400 brick Colonial Revival condos, townhouse-style and garden-style, built 1942-1944 next to Shirlington, a National Register historic district with pools and tennis courts.
A large historic condominium community on both sides of I-395, organized into seven associations.
- The homes
- All condominiums: townhouse-style on two, three or four levels, plus garden-style condos, built 1942-1944.
- Why people choose it
- Usually a first home, and sometimes an investment.
- Schools people ask about
- Abingdon Elementary School, Gunston Middle School, Wakefield High School.
- Getting around
- I-395 runs through the neighborhood, with buses to the Pentagon and King Street Metro stations and Shirlington within walking distance.
- Nearby
- Association pools and tennis courts, the Fairlington Community Center, and the Village at Shirlington's restaurants, shops, library and theater.
- The trade-off
- Choosing it over its neighbors usually comes down to buyer preference more than a trade-off.
The method
How we do it in Fairlington
Buying a Home: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with The Mike Webb Team?