Buying a Home in Fairfax, VA with Jon Lahey
Jon Lahey leads The Fine Living Group at eXp Realty, a team serving Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. We help buyers looking in the City of Fairfax and across Fairfax County compare homes, verify the details that matter for each address, and move from first tour to closing.
A clear process, home by home
Budget with your lender first
Talk with a lender early about a comfortable monthly payment. Your lender handles loan options and approval. We help turn that number into a realistic list of homes, factoring in taxes, HOA fees and insurance.
Comparing homes on total cost
Single-family homes, townhomes and condos carry different costs. We help you line up price, local property taxes, HOA or condo fees and expected maintenance so you compare homes fairly.
Comparable sales and offer terms
Before you offer, we review recent comparable sales for that home type and location and walk through price, deposit, financing, contingencies and settlement timing. You decide what to offer.
Inspection, appraisal and closing
After acceptance we help keep inspection, appraisal, HOA resale documents, lender conditions and title work on schedule, and tell you what is due next.
Buying while selling
If you need to sell a current home in Maryland, DC or Virginia, we plan both transactions together and discuss timing and options before you commit.
Know which Fairfax you are buying in
The City of Fairfax is an independent jurisdiction, separate from Fairfax County. Some properties outside the city still have a Fairfax mailing address, so verify the actual parcel before relying on any tax, school or zoning information. For every home you consider, check these with official sources:
- Jurisdiction: whether the property sits in the City of Fairfax or Fairfax County, using official parcel or property records.
- Real estate tax rate and assessment from the correct city or county tax office.
- School assignment for the specific address, confirmed directly with the school division's official boundary lookup. Assignments can change.
- Zoning and permits for any planned additions, accessory units, fences or home businesses, through the correct planning or zoning office.
- HOA or condo association rules, fees, assessments and resale documents for the property.
- Commute and parking, tested at the times you would actually travel.
Confirm school assignments directly with the school division for the exact address. We can help you locate official property and community records.
Frequently asked questions
Is the City of Fairfax the same as Fairfax County?
No. The City of Fairfax is an independent city with its own government and tax rate. Fairfax County is a separate jurisdiction. Some homes outside the city still have a Fairfax mailing address, so confirm the jurisdiction for each property.
How do I confirm the school for a specific home?
Use the school division's official boundary lookup for the exact address and contact the division if anything is unclear. Do not rely on listing remarks, because assignments can change.
Who will handle my purchase?
Jon Lahey is the team leader of The Fine Living Group. Many buyers work day to day with an assigned buyer specialist on the team. Ask who will handle your tours, offers and updates when we first talk.
What should I review in an HOA or condo community?
Review the fees and what they cover, the budget and reserves, any special assessments, rules on parking, rentals and exterior changes, and the resale documents. Ask your lender and, if needed, an attorney about anything unclear.
Do you work with relocating and first-time buyers?
Yes. We explain each step and can coordinate scheduled or virtual tours for buyers moving from out of the area. Loan approval is decided by your lender.
How do I get started?
Call 301-651-4900 or send a message through our contact page. We will ask about your timeline, budget conversations so far and the areas you are considering.
Verify property-specific taxes, permits and association details with the appropriate official source.
Ready to talk about buying in Fairfax?
Office: 401 N Washington St, Suite 600, Rockville, MD 20850