Fairfax County is one of the most expensive rental markets in the country to buy into. Rents are high, but purchase prices are higher. In much of the county, a single-family home at 75% LTV will not cover its own debt. That does not mean DSCR loans fail here. It means you have to pick the right submarket and property type.
DSCR loans in Fairfax County VA qualify on rent, not personal income. The files that work are usually townhomes and condos in the county’s more affordable corridors: Annandale, Springfield, Centreville, Chantilly, and parts of the Route 1 corridor near Fort Belvoir.
Fairfax County rental market (2026)
Fairfax County’s economy runs on federal agencies, defense contractors, and tech firms along the Dulles Corridor and in Tysons. Tenants are well-paid and often relocating. Vacancy on well-kept units is low. Virginia’s landlord law is more predictable for owners than DC’s.
Check assessments and current tax rates on the Fairfax County tax portal. Stress-test the tax line, because assessments can rise after a sale.
2026 DSCR bands by submarket
| Submarket | Typical basis | Market rent | DSCR at 75% LTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centreville townhome | $450K–$520K | $3,000–$3,300/mo | 0.98–1.10 |
| Springfield townhome | $480K–$560K | $3,100–$3,500/mo | 0.95–1.08 |
| Annandale SFR | $650K–$760K | $3,600–$4,100/mo | 0.85–0.98 |
| Route 1 corridor condo | $260K–$320K | $2,000–$2,300/mo | 0.95–1.12 |
| Chantilly townhome | $480K–$550K | $3,100–$3,400/mo | 0.97–1.08 |
| McLean SFR | $1.3M–$2.0M | $6,000–$8,000/mo | 0.60–0.75 |
Fairfax County DSCR thesis: townhomes, not trophies
In Fairfax County, the rent-to-price ratio falls as prices rise. A $500,000 townhome may rent for $3,200, a ratio near 0.64%. A $1.5 million McLean home may rent for $7,000, a ratio near 0.47%. DSCR math follows that ratio. Townhomes in the $450,000 to $550,000 band are where most workable files land.
The second lever is LTV. Many Fairfax County investors choose 70% LTV instead of 75% or 80% to push the ratio above 1.10. That leaves more cash in the deal, but it protects cash flow against rising assessments and HOA dues.
Jaken Finance Group Fairfax County DSCR terms
- Rates: 5.75%–10.5%, 30-year fixed or ARM options
- LTV: up to 85% purchase, up to 80% cash-out, select markets and qualified borrowers
- DSCR minimum: typically 1.0–1.25 depending on program
- Loan amounts: $100K–$2M+
- Property types: SFR, townhomes, 2–4 units, and warrantable condos
- Income: qualified on property rent, not personal income
Worked example: Centreville townhome at two LTVs
Purchase price: $485,000 for a 3BR/3.5BA townhome. Lease: $3,200/month to a defense contractor. Taxes: about $450/month. Insurance: about $80. HOA: $120.
At 75% LTV, the loan is $363,750. At an assumed 7.0%, principal and interest run about $2,420. Total payment is about $3,070. DSCR is about 1.04.
At 70% LTV, the loan is $339,500. Principal and interest run about $2,260. Total payment is about $2,910. DSCR is about 1.10.
The extra $24,250 of equity buys a stronger ratio, more program options, and room for a future assessment increase. For many Fairfax County files, that trade is worth making.
Stress test: the same townhome three years out
Your principal and interest stay fixed on a 30-year loan. Everything else moves. Here is the Centreville townhome at 70% LTV, with taxes and insurance rising 10% a year and HOA dues rising 5% a year. These are stress assumptions, not forecasts.
| Year | Taxes | Insurance | HOA | Total payment | DSCR, rent flat at $3,200 | DSCR, rent up 3% a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $450 | $80 | $120 | $2,910 | 1.10 | 1.10 |
| 2 | $495 | $88 | $126 | $2,969 | 1.08 | 1.11 |
| 3 | $545 | $97 | $132 | $3,034 | 1.05 | 1.12 |
Flat rent drags a 1.10 file toward 1.05 in two years. Modest rent growth holds the line. That is why lease renewals matter as much as the purchase price here. Raise rent at each renewal by what the market supports, and document it. Virginia has no rent control, so the limit is the market, not the law.
At 75% LTV, the same stress path starts at 1.04 and slides to about 1.00 by year three with flat rent. That is the real case for the lower LTV.
Back into the loan from the rent
Most investors start with the price and hope the ratio works. In Fairfax County, start with the rent instead. Take a Springfield townhome priced at $520,000 that rents for $3,300. Taxes are about $480, insurance $85, and HOA $150, for $715 a month.
To hit a 1.10 ratio, the total payment can be no more than $3,000. That leaves $2,285 for principal and interest.
| Rate | Largest loan at 1.10 DSCR | LTV on $520,000 | Cash down before closing costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5% | $361,500 | 69.5% | $158,500 |
| 7.0% | $343,500 | 66.0% | $176,500 |
| 7.5% | $326,800 | 62.8% | $193,200 |
Even with up to 85% LTV available on purchases in select markets, the rent sets the real ceiling. Plan your down payment from this table, not from the program maximum. Run your own file in the max DSCR loan amount calculator. Then check reserve needs with the DSCR reserves calculator.
Fairfax County’s short-term lodging rules in plain terms
Fairfax County allows short-term lodging, meaning stays under 30 days, only with a county permit. The rules are strict.
- Primary residence only. The operator must live in the home at least 185 days a year.
- 60 nights per calendar year. That is the cap on short-term stays.
- Six adults maximum per night, with one rental contract per night.
- A $200 permit that lasts two years, plus a designated off-street parking space.
A non-owner-occupied investment townhome cannot run as a full-time short-term rental under these rules. Underwrite Fairfax County DSCR files on 12-month leases.
Stays of 30 days or longer do not need the permit. Furnished rentals to relocating contractors and travel nurses can work. The county still limits long-term occupancy. For example, a household of unrelated adults is capped at four people.
Fairfax County DSCR diligence and risks
HOA dues. Townhome and condo dues in Fairfax County can run $100 to $500 a month or more. They count against your ratio. Read the budget and reserve study.
Assessment increases. Fairfax County reassesses annually. A sale above assessed value often leads to a higher bill. Underwrite at current bill plus 10%.
Condo warrantability. Some condo buildings have litigation, investor concentration, or low reserves that make them non-warrantable. Check before you contract.
Virginia landlord law. Virginia has no rent control, but the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act sets rules for deposits, notices, and repairs. Follow it closely.
Short-term rental rules. Fairfax County limits short-term rentals and requires registration. DSCR files based on short-term income need extra review.
Fairfax County versus DC for DSCR
| Factor | Fairfax County | Washington DC |
|---|---|---|
| Rent control | None under Virginia law | Applies to many older buildings |
| Tenant purchase rights | No TOPA | TOPA applies on sales |
| Transfer and recordation taxes | Lower | Higher |
| Typical townhome DSCR | 1.00–1.10 | Often below 1.00 |
For the DC side, see DSCR loans Washington DC.
Pre-qual checklist: Fairfax County DSCR
- Signed lease or market rent appraisal
- Current tax bill plus a 10% buffer
- HOA budget, reserve study, and rental rules
- Insurance quote at replacement cost
- Condo questionnaire if applicable
- LLC documents and reserves
Related programs
- Hard money lenders Fairfax County VA for the acquisition leg
- Fix and flip loans Fairfax County VA
- DSCR loans Arlington VA
- DSCR loans Alexandria VA
- DSCR loans Virginia
Frequently asked questions
Where do DSCR loans work best in Fairfax County?
Townhomes and condos in Annandale, Springfield, Centreville, Chantilly, and the Route 1 corridor. These areas have lower basis relative to rent than McLean, Great Falls, or Vienna.
Does Fairfax County have rent control?
No. Virginia law generally prevents localities from imposing rent control. Landlords follow the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which sets notice and deposit rules.
What DSCR ratio should I target in Fairfax County?
Aim for 1.10 or higher at your target LTV. High HOA dues and rising assessments can push a 1.00 file below the line within a year or two.
Can I use a DSCR loan on a Fairfax County condo?
Yes, when the condo is warrantable, the association allows rentals, and the HOA dues still leave the ratio above the program minimum. High dues are the most common reason condo files fail.
Can I qualify a Fairfax County DSCR loan on Airbnb income?
Rarely for a pure investment property. Fairfax County allows short-term lodging only in the operator’s primary residence, capped at 60 nights a year. Underwrite investment properties on 12-month or 30-day-plus furnished leases instead.
Pre-qualify for Fairfax County DSCR financing · (833) 264-7776
Rates, terms and conditions offered only to qualified borrowers and are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to full underwriting. Jaken Finance Group only finances non-owner occupied investment properties.