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Buying a home in Fort Washington, MD
Buying in Fort Washington, MD means competing for homes that sell in a median of 18 days at a median price of $471,500, per Bright MLS. Get pre-approved first, know which programs you qualify for, and be ready to tour new listings quickly. This guide walks through each step.
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Get the Fort Washington Buyer Guide
The steps, the programs, the neighborhoods, and the numbers, in one guide written for 20744. Based on Donnell's book, The Complete Guide to Buying a Home.
How do you buy a home in Fort Washington, step by step?
- Get pre-approved. A lender reviews your income, credit, and savings and tells you what you can borrow. Sellers expect a pre-approval letter with every offer.
- Check program eligibility. First-time buyer, NACA, VA, and down payment assistance programs can change how much cash you need. Find out before you set a budget.
- Sign a buyer agreement. Under current MLS rules, you sign a written agreement with your agent before touring homes. It spells out services and compensation.
- Pick neighborhoods and must-haves. Commute, lot size, home style, and price all vary across 20744. The neighborhood guides help narrow it down.
- Tour and act fast. Set up a saved search so new listings reach you the day they hit the market.
- Make a strong offer. Price, terms, deposit, and contingencies all matter. Recent comparable sales set the range.
- Inspect, appraise, and finalize the loan. Your contract sets deadlines for each. Your agent tracks them.
- Settle. In Maryland, closing is usually called settlement and happens with a title company or settlement attorney.
What can you buy in Fort Washington at each price?
Closed sales this year by price band. Price per square foot uses above-grade finished area.
| Price band | Sales | Share | Median price | Median $/sq ft | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $400K | 98 | 26% | $341,350 | $238 | 15 |
| $400K to $500K | 127 | 33% | $455,000 | $329 | 19 |
| $500K to $600K | 72 | 19% | $527,400 | $274 | 20 |
| $600K to $750K | 63 | 16% | $675,000 | $226 | 16 |
| $750K and up | 24 | 6% | $844,500 | $249 | 19 |
Source: Bright MLS closed sales, ZIP 20744, January 1 to October 7, 2026. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
How are Fort Washington buyers paying for homes?
| Financing | Sales | Share | Median price | Median days on market | Sale-to-list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 192 | 50% | $470,000 | 18 | 100.0% |
| FHA | 81 | 21% | $460,000 | 29 | 100.0% |
| VA | 65 | 17% | $552,000 | 19 | 100.0% |
| Cash | 35 | 9% | $332,500 | 10 | 97.0% |
Source: Bright MLS closed sales, ZIP 20744, January 1 to October 7, 2026. Financing types with fewer than 5 sales are not shown.
Which buyer guide fits you?
First-time buyers
Down payment help, how much you really need, and the steps from pre-approval to settlement.
Read the guideNACA buyers
How the NACA program works and what to expect when you buy in Fort Washington with it.
Read the guideNew construction
What to know before you sign with a builder, and why your own representation matters.
Read the guideRelocating to Fort Washington
Commutes, neighborhoods, and how to buy from out of town.
Read the guideReady to see homes?
Search every Fort Washington listing, or text Donnell what you're looking for.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to buy a home in Fort Washington, MD?
The median sale price in ZIP 20744 was $471,500 from January 1 to October 7, 2026, per Bright MLS, and 26% of sales were under $400,000. Your down payment depends on the loan: some FHA, VA, and assistance programs require little or nothing down.
How fast do I need to move when I find a home?
Quickly. Homes in ZIP 20744 sold in a median of 18 days this year, and 36% sold above list price, per Bright MLS. Have your pre-approval ready before you tour.
What kinds of loans do Fort Washington buyers use?
Of homes sold in ZIP 20744 this year, 50% used Conventional financing, 21% used FHA financing, 17% used VA financing, 9% used cash, per Bright MLS.
Are there first-time homebuyer programs in Prince George's County?
Yes. The Maryland Mortgage Program from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development offers loans and down payment assistance, and Prince George's County has offered its own assistance programs. Rules and funding change, so confirm current terms with the program or a lender.
Do I need my own agent to buy new construction?
It's strongly recommended. The builder's sales staff represents the builder. Your own agent can help with the contract, upgrades, inspections, and timelines. Ask how the builder handles buyer agent compensation before your first visit.
How much does it cost to work with a buyer agent?
Buyer agent compensation is negotiable and set in a written agreement you sign before touring. Donnell Williams Jr. explains the options, including whether a seller may contribute, before you sign anything.