The Arlington First-Time Buyer's Guide
Every step of buying your first home in Arlington, in plain words, from pre-approval to the keys.
Your First Home, One Step at a Time
Maybe the lease is ending. Maybe the rent went up again. Maybe you are tired of paying for someone else's home. Whatever brought you here, buying your first home can feel like a lot of unknowns at once. How much can we afford? What if we overpay? What if the inspection finds something? What if we lose out to another offer?
This guide walks you through every step in the order it happens, in plain words. It comes from Mike and Claudia Webb of The Mike Webb Team, with RE/MAX Allegiance. We have spent more than 34 years in real estate, and about three out of four of our sales are in Arlington. There are no questions too basic. That is what we are here for.
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Step 1: Start With a Conversation
Before you tour a single home, sit down with us. We talk about what you want, your budget, your timeline and how today's market works, so your expectations are realistic from day one. We explain how we work, and we sign a written buyer agreement together before we start showing homes, so you know exactly what to expect from us.
We are glad to explain the big picture, like what a conventional loan is or how pre-approval works. Questions about interest rates and what you qualify for belong with a lender, and that is the next step.
Step 2: Get Pre-Approved
Pre-approval tells you what you can buy and shows sellers you are ready. You can work with a lender we trust or your own bank or credit union. Either way, you get pre-approved before we start showing homes, so every home you see is one you can buy.
One thing we tell every buyer: knowing what you can borrow is not the same as knowing what you want to spend. Pick a monthly payment that lets you live your life, and shop with that number in mind.
Step 3: Ask About First-Time Buyer Programs
There are programs that help first-time buyers. If you are buying in Arlington, ask your lender about these two:
- Arlington County's Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP). For eligible first-time buyers purchasing in Arlington, it offers a no-interest second loan with deferred payments that can help with the down payment and closing costs. The County's page lists the current rules and eligibility.
- Virginia Housing. The state's housing finance agency offers first-time buyer loans and down payment help through approved lenders, and a free homebuyer class.
For many programs, a first-time buyer is someone who has not owned a home in the previous three years, so you may qualify even if you owned a home long ago. Rules, income limits and availability change, and each program has its own requirements, so your lender is the right person to tell you what fits. Buying in DC or Maryland instead? Ask about the programs there.
Step 4: Search and Tour Homes
We set up a home search to your criteria, so new listings come to you as soon as they hit the market. Then we tour homes with you, or our showing partner does when we are booked. Can't make it in person? We can walk a home with you on FaceTime and show you what the photos leave out.
Right now, first-time buyers have more to choose from than a year ago, especially in condos and townhouses. In September 2026, NVAR reported condo and townhouse listings across its Northern Virginia region up 49.7% from a year earlier, while detached listings rose only 5.7%. Arlington County had about 3.9 months of supply in September 2026, up from 3.0 a year earlier, according to Bright MLS. If you are looking at a condo or townhouse, read the owners' association documents and ask what the dues cover. We help you know what to look for.
Step 5: Make a Strong Offer
The fear we hear most is overpaying. Before we write any offer, we prepare a home value report on the house, based on what similar homes nearby have sold for. Then we build the offer strategy with you: the price, the terms and the timing.
In ZIP code 22204, homes that sold from July through September 2026 received about 97.2% of their original list price and took an average of 54 days to sell, according to Bright MLS. Every house is different, though, and a well-priced home can still draw strong interest. We negotiate on your behalf and tell you what we think, every step of the way.
If you lose out on a house, keep going. With more homes on the market, the search can take a bit longer, and that is fine. In our experience, buyers almost always find the right one.
Step 6: The Inspection
Inspection surprises worry first-time buyers most, and for good reason. We can coordinate the inspection for you, or you can schedule it yourself. Either way, we go over the results with you, explain what is serious and what is normal for a house that age, and advise you on how to proceed.
We think about how we would want our own family treated. If an inspection shows a house needs much more work than you want to take on, we will tell you, even if that means walking away and starting the search again.
Step 7: Closing Day
We stay with you all the way to the keys. We do a final walk-through with you, on closing day or a few days before, to make sure the home is in the condition you expect. Then we are with you through closing, and we bring a thank-you gift.
For every step in detail, see how we help you buy, step by step.
Five Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make, and How to Avoid Them
- Shopping before getting pre-approved. You can fall for a home you can't buy, or lose one to a buyer who is ready.
- Stretching to the top of the pre-approval. What you can borrow is not the same as what you want to spend.
- Skipping or rushing the inspection. It is your best look at what you are buying.
- Not reading the association documents on a condo or townhouse, including the rules and what the dues cover.
- Giving up after losing one house. The right one usually comes along.
Your Next Step: Sit Down With Us
Heather “Mac” said: “My husband and I are so very happy we chose Mike and Claudia Webb to be our realtors!”
You don't need to know how buying works before you call us. Tell us what you are looking for and where you are in the process, and we will help you plan your next step, with no pressure.
Book a buyer consultation with The Mike Webb Team or call or text 703-350-3884. You can also read more about first-time buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be pre-approved before looking at homes?
Yes. You get pre-approved before we start showing homes, through a lender or your own bank or credit union, so every home you see is one you can buy.
Are there programs for first-time buyers in Arlington?
Yes. Ask your lender about Arlington County's Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP) and Virginia Housing's first-time buyer loans and down payment help. Rules and availability change, so your lender can tell you what fits.
How do I avoid overpaying?
Before we write an offer, we prepare a home value report on the house, based on recent sales of similar homes nearby, and build the offer strategy with you.
Do I sign an agreement with you?
Yes. Before we start touring homes, we sign a written buyer agreement together, so you know exactly how we will work with you.
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