Buying your first home as a newly married couple is an exciting step—one that sets the foundation for your routines, your financial future, and the life you are building together. In a diverse and competitive market like the Washington, DC metro area, having a clear plan makes this milestone feel calm, organized, and meaningful rather than overwhelming.
After more than twenty years helping newly married couples across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, I’ve learned the questions that matter most: Where should we live? How much can we afford? How do we coordinate our finances? And how do we choose a home that will support our life for years to come?
This guide offers practical, grounded advice for couples starting this important next chapter.
Start With Your Shared Priorities
Before you begin looking at homes, take time to talk through the preferences that matter most to both of you. Consider:
- Commute times
- Walkability and transit access
- Work-from-home needs
- Lifestyle preferences—urban, suburban, quiet, or vibrant
- Monthly payment comfort level
- Future plans such as pets, children, or job changes
Clear priorities prevent decision fatigue and keep both partners aligned throughout the search.
Understand Your Combined Buying Power
Couples often underestimate what they can qualify for after marriage. Lenders in DC, Maryland, and Virginia look at your combined income, credit scores, and monthly obligations when determining your approval. Even if one partner carries student loans or credit card debt, many newlyweds qualify comfortably when they plan ahead.
Strong financial factors include:
- Stable income
- Healthy credit scores
- Manageable monthly debt payments
- Savings for a down payment and reserves
Your approval will shape which neighborhoods align best with your budget.
Bring Clarity to How You’ll Combine Finances
Every couple handles finances differently. Some choose to merge accounts, others keep things separate, and many take a hybrid approach. There is no right or wrong way—only a need for clarity.
Discuss together:
- Your down payment strategy
- How you’ll share monthly expenses
- How much you want to keep in savings
- Your long-term financial goals
A unified financial plan helps you move through the home search with confidence and transparency.
Choose the Right Neighborhood for Your Next Chapter
The DC metro area offers communities for every type of newly married couple—from walkable urban neighborhoods to quieter suburban settings. Here are popular choices for couples buying their first home together:
- Arlington & Alexandria: Walkable neighborhoods with a mix of condos and townhomes, ideal for young couples.
- Bethesda & Chevy Chase: Strong long-term value with great walkability and community amenities.
- Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Bloomingdale: Vibrant DC neighborhoods with a strong blend of lifestyle and access.
- Silver Spring & Takoma Park: Diverse communities with value-focused housing and transit access.
- McLean & Falls Church: Quiet, established areas with great schools and room to grow.
Selecting the right neighborhood often becomes clearer once you define your routines, commutes, and long-term plans.
Plan for Both Today and the Future
Your first home together will serve you today, but it may also support future changes—remote work, children, pets, or lifestyle shifts. Consider whether you’ll want:
- Flexible office or guest space
- Outdoor space
- A second bedroom
- Proximity to parks or transit
Thinking ahead helps ensure your first home supports your life for years, not months.
Your Step-by-Step Roadmap
Step 1: Get pre-approved
This clarifies your budget and strengthens your offer.
Step 2: Align on monthly comfort
Choose a payment range that supports both partners’ financial confidence.
Step 3: Compare neighborhoods
I help couples evaluate convenience, value, and long-term fit across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Step 4: Tour intentionally
Focus on homes that reflect your shared needs—not just the maximum you can afford.
Step 5: Craft a confident offer
A clean, well-prepared offer often outperforms higher offers with weaker terms.
Why Newly Married Couples Choose to Work With Me
Buying your first home together is a meaningful milestone. My role is to guide newlyweds through each step with clarity, calm, and experience—helping you align on your priorities, compare neighborhoods with confidence, and make decisions that support your future together.
Final Word
Your first home as a married couple is more than a purchase—it’s the foundation for the life you’re building. With the right preparation and guidance, you can enter the DC housing market with confidence and choose a home that supports both your present and your future.
About Matt Cheney
Matt Cheney is a top-producing real estate advisor with Compass in Washington, DC, guiding buyers and sellers across DC, Maryland, and Virginia through high-stakes moves, from luxury sales to estate settlements, downsizing, and divorce-related transactions. With over $771 million in career sales volume and 22 years of experience, including more than two decades working on complex and sensitive real estate situations, Matt is known for calm, strategic guidance and brings hundreds of successful sales to clients seeking clarity and support during life transitions.