Where We Live

Buying a vacation home

Buying a vacation home

Although the process is similar, buying a vacation home is often a very different experience than purchasing a primary residence.

For rent by owner: The letter landlords dread

For rent by owner: The letter landlords dread

Being a landlord has been smooth only in short stretches, and at times it has veered toward disaster.

My Renovation Saga: Community Forklift

My Renovation Saga: Community Forklift

Mary visits a place in Maryland that will take reusable building materials, architectural salvage, furniture and appliances. 

Editor’s column: New construction offers option for growing number of D.C. house hunters

Editor’s column: New construction offers option  for  growing number of D.C. house hunters

Construction of single-family homes, which stalled when the housing bubble burst a few years ago, is beginning to pick up across the region.

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Neighborhood Profiles

Neighborhood profile: Lyon Village, convenient — and booming

Neighborhood profile: Lyon Village, convenient — and booming

The easy commute to Washington was always a draw for this Arlington neighborhood, but now there’s also the bustle of Clarendon.

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Recent Real Estate News

Mortgage rules prove too strict for some retirees

Despite having significant financial assets tucked away in a retirement account, retirees find diminished monthly incomes may not be sufficient to meet some lenders’ underwriting rules.

Builders woo buyers with new features, small floor plans

Builders woo buyers with new features, small floor plans

After a long, brutal housing slump, developments are sprouting up again in Loudoun and other parts of the Washington area.

Kitchens becoming more colorful

Instead of worrying about resale, owners want to kick up and have fun, especially in their kitchens.

Rallying for homeowners’ tax breaks

HOUSE LAWYER | The National Association of Realtors is urging Congress to keep four tax provisions that benefit homeowners. Here’s a look at them.

AVON, NC - FEBRUARY, 12: This spacious, 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath,   vacation home is within walking distance of restaurants, gift shops and the Avon fishing pier. It's also a short walk to either the beach or the sound. It's available for $295,000 at 39200 West Sunfish Court in Avon, North Carolina Sunday February 12, 2012. Affordable vacation homes in the $300,000 range are available within easy driving distance from the district. (Photo by Cecelia Jolley/For The Washington Post),

Vacation homes for $300,000

The Post profiles three vacation homes within a reasonable drive from Washington, D.C., in the $300,000 price range.

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Bethesda mansion with 11 bedrooms, six kitchens and 49 closets

House of the week | This 35,000-square-foot home has a price tag to match: $6.9 million.

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Popular Neighborhoods

Wildwood

The weekly Outdoor Bazaar in Bethesda.

In Bethesda, MD. Wildwood provides a weekly outdoor bazaar.

Georgetown

A view of Georgetown from Francis Scott Key Bridge.

In Washington, DC. A view of Georgetown from Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Del Ray

Shops and cafes along Mt. Vernon Ave. The Main St. of Delray.

In Alexandria, VA. Shops and cafes along Mount Vernon Avenue, the main street of Delray.

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Tools and Calculators

  • Should I Rent or Buy a Home?

    With interest rates near 40-year lows, the decision to rent versus buy becomes difficult. Use this calculator to help determine which makes sense for you at this time.

  • Mortgage Calculator

    The loan amount, the interest rate and the term of the mortgage can have a dramatic effect on the total amount you will eventually pay for the property.

  • Compare Mortgage Terms

    Different mortgage terms and rates can make the loan selection process confusing, especially if you don't plan on keeping the loan for the full term.

DC Mortgage Guide

Find DC-area mortgage rates, contact lenders and find buying and selling information from our partner, InfoTrak.

Interactive Map: Housing sale trends in DC area

Explore real estate trends from the last 10 years of property sales in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.