Maybe homes in Greenbelt, MD -- very family friendly, but I don't know about the schools.

http://ghi.coop/content/homes-sale

Just curious OP, are you both making under 30k ? Do you have debt to pay? 1500 month is low but you should qualify for first time buyer credit in dc of 5k plus other possible incentives.

If you want to stay dc consider bright wood, fort totten/pet worth, Woodridge, or mont co, Wheaton perhaps.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe op needs to analyze if she could afford more by taking the mortgage deduction into consideration. The bank will tell you what the max monthly you can afford is.

Doing 20% down is very foolish when rates are low

+1, if you are new to mortgages, if you borrow alot the more interest you can deduct on you taxes therefore increasing exemptions and take home pay.

Condo at McLean Gardens or Van Ness East. Look for a foreclosure. I know someone who got a great one bedroom that way.

Anonymous wrote:Down payment is not as important as income and credit score. But those neighborhoods can be difficult to find something you like.

I'm not sure OP will have a sufficient US credit score. S/he may have to rent and build one up for a while if it won't be a cash purchase.

you can't even rent a townhouse in a decent part of PG county at that amount.

I don't think you can get more than a condo in Prince William County for that