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

Find out what you can borrow, then compare loan programs for your DC purchase.

Get pre-qualifiedEstimate what you can afford

Where to start

Three first steps for DC buyers

Estimate what you can afford, check current rates, or get pre-qualified.

What you can afford

Estimate the full monthly payment first, including property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any condo fee.

Estimate what you can afford →

Current rates

Current rate examples by loan program, with the credit score, down payment, and loan amount behind each one.

See current rates →

Making an offer

A pre-qualification letter shows the listing agent you can finance the purchase. Pre-qualification takes two minutes and does not pull your credit.

Get pre-qualified →

DC neighborhood guides

Each guide covers one neighborhood's housing stock, price range, and financing notes.

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 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 columned facade and cupola of Walter Reed's historic Building 1 under a deep blue sky, Washington, D.C.The Parks at Walter ReedA giant panda in its outdoor habitat at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, Washington, D.C.Woodley 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.NoMaBrick rowhouses under a full canopy of street trees on 34th Street NE in River TerraceRiver Terrace & BenningA 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 AnacostiaBrick semi-detached houses stepping up a hill on G Street SE in Benning Ridge at duskMarshall Heights & Benning RidgeAerial 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

Purchase loan programs

Who each program fits and what sets it apart.

  • Conventional →

    Most buyers, for condos, rowhouses and detached houses.

    The standard Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan. You can ask to drop mortgage insurance once you reach 20% equity.

  • FHA →

    Buyers whose down payment comes as a gift from family, or whose credit is still building.

    Insured by the FHA. Condos need an FHA-approved building or single-unit approval.

  • VA →

    Veterans, active-duty service members and eligible surviving spouses.

    Guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. No monthly mortgage insurance.

  • Jumbo →

    Loan amounts above DC's 2026 limit of $1,249,125.

    Fixed and adjustable terms.

  • Doctor Loan →

    Physicians, dentists and other doctoral-level clinicians, including residents and fellows.

    No mortgage insurance, 680 minimum credit score, loan amounts up to $2 million. Primary residence only.

Not sure which fits? Get pre-qualified and your loan officer will recommend one.

Refinancing a home you ownRefinance to change your rate or term, or take cash out.Refinance options →

Ask a question

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