First-Time Home Buyer Services in Silver Spring, Germantown, Washington DC and Alexandria
Your first purchase comes with a lot of new terms and decisions. Agents affiliated with Real Estate Search and Sale guide first-time buyers across Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia and Florida step by step, with plain explanations and no pressure.
What We Walk You Through
- What to expect from the process, from pre-approval to settlement
- Introductions to lenders and to housing counselors if you'd like one
- Down payment and closing cost assistance programs to ask your lender about
- Condos, townhomes and single-family homes, and what each means for fees and upkeep
- Home inspections, appraisals and what to do with the results
- Your settlement statement, line by line, before closing
Assistance Programs
State and local programs, such as those offered through the Maryland Mortgage Program, DC's Home Purchase Assistance Program and Virginia Housing, may help eligible buyers with down payment or closing costs. Eligibility rules, limits and funding change, so please confirm details with a participating lender or the program directly.
We don't provide legal, tax or financial advice. Loan questions should be confirmed with your lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan program. Some programs allow low down payments; your lender can tell you what you qualify for.
Do you help with assistance programs?
We can point you to programs to ask about and to lenders who participate in them. Eligibility is decided by the program and lender.
Should I get pre-approved first?
Yes. A pre-approval tells you your price range and makes your offer stronger.
What is a home inspection for?
It helps you understand the home's condition before you're committed. We help you decide how to respond to the results.
Can I get references?
Yes. We provide a list of client and professional references on request.
Related Services
Places Nearby
We work with clients in communities near places like these:
- Downtown Silver Spring MD: the AFI Silver Theatre and Ellsworth Drive
- Germantown MD: the BlackRock Center for the Arts
- U Street, Washington DC: historic theaters and the Green Line
- Old Town Alexandria VA: King Street and the Potomac waterfront
Tell Us What You're Looking For
A Vast Network of Service Providers
Over more than 20 years we have built a vast network of trusted, independent service providers: contractors, painters, cleaners, stagers, cleanout crews, estate-sale companies, movers, inspectors, title companies, mobile notaries, lenders and attorneys. One point of contact coordinates the work. You are always free to choose your own providers, and we don't accept payments or referral fees from service providers.
References Available on Request
We will gladly provide a list of client and professional references on request.
Talk With Us
Call our 24-Hour Appointment Desk at 202-630-5070, any time, day or night. Agents affiliated with Real Estate Search and Sale, all trained by Broker Carolyn Thompson, serve buyers and sellers throughout Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia and Florida.
Carolyn Thompson, Broker
Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC
1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 204, Rockville, MD 20850
800 Park Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060
24-Hour Appointment Desk: 202-630-5070
Licensed in MD • DC • VA • WV • FL
Copyright © 2026, Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC