See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Reston, VA (2026)
Reston is a planned community in Fairfax County, Virginia, about 20 miles west of Washington, D.C., known for its walkable town center, extensive trail system, and strong job market anchored by the Dulles Technology Corridor. With a median home price around $585,000, the market is competitive, but Fairfax County offers several programs to help. The Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Program sells homes at dramatically below-market prices from $95,000 to the low $200,000s, while the Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Program offers homes from $200,000 to the high $400,000s in developments throughout the county including Reston. Buyers in the FTHB Program may also qualify for up to $10,000 in CDBG down payment assistance. State programs add even more: the Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant covers 2-2.5% of the purchase price, and the DHCD HOMEownership DPA provides up to $40,000. Combining county and state programs can make Reston homeownership significantly more attainable.
County Programs in Fairfax County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County CDBG Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| Fairfax County First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Program | Grant | Below-market purchase price on a resale-restricted Affordable Dwelling Unit (not cash); county listings posted October 2026 ranged from $174,395 to $289,300, and the FY 2025 average sale price was $260,863 | Yes | View → |
| Fairfax County Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Homebuyer Program | Grant | Below-market purchase price set by the unit's AMI tier (not negotiable); recent county listings ranged from $186,600 to $538,050 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Below-market purchase price on a resale-restricted Affordable Dwelling Unit (not cash); county listings posted October 2026 ranged from $174,395 to $289,300, and the FY 2025 average sale price was $260,863
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Below-market purchase price set by the unit's AMI tier (not negotiable); recent county listings ranged from $186,600 to $538,050
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Virginia
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHCD HOMEownership Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 10% to 15% of the sales price plus up to $2,500 for closing costs. Maximum assistance of $40,000. | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Virginia Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $50,000 | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance Grant | Grant | Up to 2% of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant | Grant | 2.5% (FHA Bond) or 2% (Conventional Bond) of the lesser of sales price or appraised value; down payment only | Yes | View → |
| Virginia Housing SPARC Program | Zero-Interest Loan | 1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 10% to 15% of the sales price plus up to $2,500 for closing costs. Maximum assistance of $40,000.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 2% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 2.5% (FHA Bond) or 2% (Conventional Bond) of the lesser of sales price or appraised value; down payment only
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of DC and Northern Virginia Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable, no-profit home purchase price with affordable mortgage payments | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable, no-profit home purchase price with affordable mortgage payments
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Fairfax County FTHB Program requires household income up to 70% of AMI with a minimum of $25,000 annually. The WDU Program covers 70% to 100% of AMI. Both require a credit score of at least 620.
Step 2: Attend a Homeownership Orientation. This free session introduces all Fairfax County homebuyer programs and is the required first step. Contact homeownership@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-246-5087 to register.
Step 3: Complete homebuyer education. A free Virginia Housing pre-purchase homebuyer education course is required. Cornerstones, a Reston-based nonprofit, offers free First-Time Homebuyer Classes monthly in English and Spanish. Contact Cornerstones at 571-323-1439.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a Virginia Housing-approved lender. The Virginia Housing SPARC program may offer a 1% interest rate reduction when funding is available.
Step 5: Complete the application process. For the FTHB and WDU programs, follow the 5-step process to receive your Passport to Homeownership. Homes are allocated through drawings as they become available.
Step 6: Apply for additional assistance. Once approved for a county program, ask about the CDBG Down Payment Assistance (up to $10,000) and state-level DPA programs to further reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Reston?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the below-market home prices available in Reston?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the maximum income to qualify for Reston homebuyer programs?+−
Are there Workforce Dwelling Units available in Reston specifically?+−
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