Buying in the DC–Maryland–Virginia area means working across three jurisdictions with different taxes and contracts, often in a competitive market. In most cases a strong buyer's agent costs you little while protecting your largest purchase — though how agents are paid changed in 2024. Below are the questions Kelly Balmer's buyers ask most, with straight answers.
New to the process? Start with Kelly's step-by-step buyer's guide, or explore specific areas — Bethesda, Potomac, and Arlington.
Three steps come first: get pre-approved with a lender so you know your budget and can make strong offers, choose a buyer's agent who knows your target areas, and get clear on your must-haves versus nice-to-haves. From there your agent sets up a search and guides you through showings, offers and settlement. Kelly's buyer's guide walks through all seven steps.
Historically the seller typically covered the buyer's agent's commission. Following industry changes in 2024, buyers now sign a written agreement with their agent up front, and how the agent is paid is negotiable — in many cases it's still covered by the seller, and in others it's addressed in your offer. Kelly walks every client through exactly how compensation works for their specific purchase before you tour a single home.
It varies widely. Putting 20% down avoids private mortgage insurance, but many buyers put down far less — some conventional programs allow 3–5%, FHA loans around 3.5%, and VA loans can require nothing down for eligible buyers. The right number depends on your loan type, budget and goals, so talk to a lender early. Kelly can recommend trusted local lenders.
It depends on price point and location, but well-priced homes in sought-after neighborhoods can move quickly and draw multiple offers. The buyers who do best are pre-approved, clear on their criteria, and ready to act decisively when the right home appears — which is exactly what Kelly helps clients prepare for.
Quite a bit. Closing costs, transfer and recordation taxes, standard contracts, and inspection customs all differ across the District, Maryland and Virginia, and each has its own neighborhoods, schools and tax picture. Because Kelly is licensed in all three, she can compare them side by side for your situation rather than steering you to one.
The search itself varies — some buyers find the right home in weeks, others take months. Once you're under contract, a financed purchase often takes about 30 to 45 days to reach settlement, while cash or more complex deals can be faster or slower. Kelly helps keep every milestone — inspection, appraisal, financing — on track.
Yes. Pre-approval tells you what you can realistically afford, signals to sellers that you're serious, and lets you move quickly when you find the right home. In a competitive market, an offer backed by solid pre-approval carries real weight. It's the first thing Kelly asks clients to line up.
Look for genuine local knowledge of your target neighborhoods, a track record of closed transactions, and someone who handles your deal personally rather than passing you to a junior team member. Kelly is a Vice President at Compass with $130M+ sold and 13+ years across DC, Maryland and Virginia, and she represents every client herself.
Tell Kelly what you're looking for and where. She answers personally — no call center, no junior handoff.