To buy a house in Fairfax, VA, you want a clear sequence: get pre-approved, set a realistic budget, tour the right neighborhoods, write a strong offer, complete inspections and appraisal, then close with your lender and title company. The best outcomes come from aligning your budget + timeline + offer strategy before you start touring seriously.

In Fairfax, VA, the simplest way to know what you can afford is to set a monthly housing budget first (payment + taxes + insurance + HOA), then confirm the price range a lender supports based on your income, debts, down payment, and credit. Your “max approval” and your “comfortable p.ayment” are often different numbers. The goal is a budget that still leaves room for savings and normal life.

Now let me search for specific blog posts that might relate to home preparation, selling process, or Virginia real estate market. FetchedReal Estate Insights & Tips | Johnny Sarkis Blog | Prince William CountyRealtor contactjohnny.com Based on my search, I found several relevant internal linking opportunities. Now let me create the optimized blog post with both internal and external authoritative links.