Dusk over the National Mall — the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Buy a home

Buy a home in Washington DC.

Whether you're working out what you can afford or you have an offer to write this weekend, start here — we shop your file across our lender network.

Get pre-qualifiedWhat can I afford?

Start here

What do you need first?

Most people arrive with one of three questions. Pick the one that's yours.

What can I afford?

Start with the monthly payment, not the price. Taxes, insurance and any condo fee move it more than buyers expect.

Run the numbers →

What are rates today?

Current rate examples on the programs we place most, with the assumptions behind each one shown in full.

See current rates →

I'm ready to make an offer.

DC listing agents want a letter attached to the offer. Two minutes to start, and no credit pull to get a number.

Get pre-qualified →

Know where you're shopping?

Each guide covers what financing actually looks like in that neighborhood — the housing stock, the price band, and what it means for your loan.

Turreted rowhouses along 18th Street NW at Kalorama Road in Adams Morgan at dusk, Washington, D.C.Adams Morgan & Mount PleasantThe LeDroit Park 1873 entrance arch at 6th and T Streets NW framed by blooming cherry trees, Washington, D.C.Bloomingdale & LeDroit ParkThe Avalon Theatre marquee and storefronts on Connecticut Avenue NW in Chevy Chase DC, Washington, D.C.Chevy Chase DC & Upper NWThe art-deco facade and marquee of the Uptown Theater on Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.Cleveland Park & Woodley ParkThe Tivoli Theater at 14th and Monroe Streets NW in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, Washington, D.C.Columbia HeightsThe marble fountain at the center of Dupont Circle with people gathered around it, Washington, D.C.Dupont Circle & KaloramaBrightly painted historic rowhouses reflected in the C&O Canal in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.GeorgetownHistoric Victorian mansion on Logan Circle, Washington, DCLogan CircleA row of Petworth rowhouses in Washington, D.C. — grey, mint green, navy and pale grey fronts with columned porches, iron fences and front gardens in early spring.PetworthThe restored facade of the Howard Theatre at 620 T Street NW in Shaw, Washington, D.C., with the U.S. and DC flags flying above the marquee.Shaw & U StreetVictorian houses with gingerbread porches in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, D.C.Takoma & Shepherd ParkThe BROOKLAND wordmark painted across the brick facade of the Brookland Arts Walk building above the Brookland–CUA Metro station, Washington, D.C.BrooklandDetached frame houses with gabled roofs, porches and a picket fence on a corner in Deanwood, Washington, D.C.DeanwoodNoMa at sunset — glass and brick towers, construction cranes across the skyline, and the rail yard running past Union Station, Washington, D.C.NoMaA row of turreted Trinidad rowhouses in Washington, D.C. — red, grey and yellow brick fronts with slate witch-hat turrets against a winter sky.Trinidad & H StreetAerial view of the Bridge District on the east bank of the Anacostia River, with the arches of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge and the U.S. Capitol dome on the skyline beyond, Washington, D.C.Bridge DistrictRow houses on a tree-lined Capitol Hill street in autumn, Washington, DCCapitol HillBrick Victorian row houses with a columned portico and crape myrtle in bloom on East Capitol Street, Washington, D.C.Capitol Hill EastA tree-lined residential street in Congress Heights, Washington, D.C., with a Victorian frame house, sunflowers in the front garden, and brick rowhouses alongside.Congress HeightsThe pirate ship playground at the Fairlawn picnic area in Anacostia Park, Washington, D.C., under an autumn sky.FairlawnA brick Tudor house and winter trees at the corner of 34th and Camden Streets SE in Hillcrest, Washington, D.C.Hillcrest & Fort DupontCedar Hill, the Frederick Douglass House, a white nineteenth-century home with a columned porch, in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C.Historic AnacostiaAerial view of Nationals Park and the surrounding Navy Yard neighborhood, Washington, DCNavy YardThe 1911 Tudor Revival brick facade of Randle Highlands School, its name carved in stone above the arched entrance, Washington, D.C.Randle HighlandsA campus street on St. Elizabeths East, Washington, D.C. — red-brick hospital buildings with tile roofs along new sidewalks, street lamps and young trees, the arena at right.St. Elizabeths EastThe Wharf at dusk — the Anthem's marquee, a water taxi, and crowds along the piers on the Washington Channel, Washington, D.C.SW Waterfront & The Wharf

All neighborhood guides →

Loan programs

You don't have to pick one.

We match the program to your file — here's what each one is for.

Purchase

From offer to keys.

0%20%+DEPENDING ON PROGRAM
  • Not sure which program fits? Start here
  • Pre-qualify in 2 minutes — no credit pull

Best for · First-time buyers, move-up purchases, vacation homes.

Conventional

The default for most buyers.

3%20%DOWN PAYMENT VS. TYPICAL
  • Fixed and adjustable terms
  • Loan amounts to conforming and high-balance limits

Best for · Strong credit (620+), stable income, traditional purchase.

FHA

Your first home, on the table.

3.5%20%DOWN PAYMENT VS. TYPICAL
  • Flexible credit underwriting
  • Gift funds allowed

Best for · First-time buyers or thinner credit profiles.

VA

Service, honored.

$020%DOWN PAYMENT VS. TYPICAL
  • No PMI
  • Competitive rates

Best for · Veterans, active-duty, surviving spouses.

Jumbo

When the price tag goes higher.

CONFORMING CAPjumboABOVE THE LIMIT
  • Fixed and adjustable options
  • Tailored for high-value properties

Best for · Loan amounts above the conforming and high-balance caps.

Already own a home?Lower the payment, shorten the term, or tap equity.Refinance options →

Didn't see your question?

Ask it here and you'll get an answer by email within one business day — written by a licensed DC loan officer, not an autoresponder.

Please don't include your Social Security number or account numbers.

General information only — not a commitment to lend, a pre-qualification, or an offer of credit. By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy. We respect your privacy and will not share your information with unaffiliated third parties without your consent.

Not sure which loan is right?

Tell us 5 things and a licensed loan officer will text or call within the next business hour — no credit pull.

Get pre-qualifiedTalk to an expert