Can I Buy an Arlington Condo With an FHA or VA Loan?

Can I use an FHA or VA loan to buy a condo in Arlington?

Often yes, but the condo building usually has to be approved first. FHA also has a one-unit path for buildings that are not approved. Ask your lender to check the building before you write an offer.

The Mike Webb Team (Mike and Claudia Webb, RE/MAX Allegiance) helps homeowners in Arlington, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC get their homes ready to sell and sold.

With a condo, the lender looks at the whole building, not only your unit. HUD says an FHA-approved condo project must be complete and in full compliance with state law, including good standing with the state. Approval also looks at insurance coverage, financial condition, the nature of the title, any pending legal action, and the physical condition of the property. Source: HUD, FHA Condominiums.

HUD says FHA insures condo loans with terms up to 30 years, to buy or refinance a unit in an FHA-approved project or in a project that meets the single-unit approval rules. HUD's current condo project approval rule took effect on October 15, 2019.

If the building is not FHA-approved, a single unit may still qualify. HUD says the building must be complete and ready for occupancy, have at least five dwelling units, and not be a manufactured home. It must also meet part of the project rules, including FHA insurance concentration, the share of owner-occupied units, and the building's financial condition. Those are the three items HUD names, so ask your lender how each one is measured for the building you like.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says you can use a VA-backed purchase loan to buy a condo in a VA-approved project. VA keeps a list of approved condos. If the condo is not on the list, the project has to be submitted to VA for review. Sources: VA, Purchase loan and the VA Home Loan Buyer's Guide.

VA's purchase loan page, last updated January 7, 2026, describes what else comes with the loan:

• You need a Certificate of Eligibility, and you must meet VA's and your lender's standards for credit and income.
• You must plan to live in the home you buy with the loan.
• There is often no down payment, as long as the sales price is not higher than the appraised value.
• There is no private mortgage insurance and no FHA-style mortgage insurance premium.
• You may pay a one-time VA funding fee, and your lender also charges interest and closing fees.
• VA says some closing costs may be paid by the seller.

Both start with the building. Both have a list your lender can check. They differ in who qualifies: a VA-backed loan needs a Certificate of Eligibility, while FHA loans are open to buyers who meet FHA and lender standards. Neither one tells you what a unit is worth. For that, we look at recent sales of similar condos with you. A lender can tell you which loan fits your own numbers.

HUD offers a search for FHA-approved condos by location, name or status, on the HUD page linked above. Your lender can run it and can tell you what VA shows. Lists and approvals can change, so ask your lender to confirm the status near the time you make an offer.

1. Is the building on the FHA approved list, or on VA's list?
2. If not, does FHA single-unit approval look possible for this building?
3. How is the share of owner-occupied units counted for this building?
4. Will the lender confirm the building's status again close to my offer date?
5. If the building does not work for my loan, what other loan could?

You have choices. You might ask whether a one-unit path applies, look at other loan types, or look at a different building. A loan officer can lay out the tradeoffs. We can help you compare buildings, and we read the condo documents with you. Start with Buying an Arlington Condo: 10 Questions to Ask and Impact of Condo Fees on Arlington Resale Value.

It can. A building that is not approved may be harder for some buyers to finance, so ask your lender or association what is on file for your building. If you own an Arlington condo and plan to sell, read Selling Arlington Condos: 2026-2027 Guide.

• Buying an Arlington Condo: 10 Questions to Ask
• Comparing Arlington Condos: Fees, Reserves and the Resale Package
• Buying Arlington Condos: Key Tips for Late 2026
• Condo, Townhouse, or House in Arlington? What the Data Says
• Do I Need a Lawyer to Buy a House in Virginia?

Is approval for my unit or the whole building?

For project approval, it is the whole building. FHA's one-unit path looks at a single unit in a building that is not approved.

Does an approved building mean my loan is approved?

No. You still need to qualify for the loan with your lender.

Who tells me if a building is approved?

Your lender. HUD and VA keep the lists, and your lender checks the current status.

Call or text Claudia at 703-350-3884 or visit claudiawebb.com.

The Mike Webb Team, RE/MAX Allegiance. Arlington, Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.