Daniel Roberts and Jared Brown, a Washington couple with a shared background in public affairs and nonprofit leadership, have recently purchased a new home in Takoma Park, a neighborhood in northeast Washington, D.C. The decision followed a year-and-a-half period of searching and negotiation as they aimed to balance their differing views on the timing of a second property acquisition.
The couple met shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic and initially lived together in a studio apartment in Columbia Heights. In August 2020, they bought a house in the Fort Dupont neighborhood, located in the city’s southeast quadrant. Both men have professional connections to the Obama administration and major technology companies: Mr. Roberts, 34, is a public affairs media lead at Meta and previously worked as a legislative analyst in the White House. Mr. Brown, 35, is director of the United Negro College Fund Teaching and Learning Center and has held positions at the Obama Foundation, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft.
Their primary goal was to find a single-family home with enough space to start a family and accommodate work-from-home needs. They set a budget near $1 million but were willing to extend if a suitable property presented itself. Mr. Roberts prioritized features such as a two-car garage and walk-in closet, while Mr. Brown sought outdoor space and a dedicated area for leisure activities. Additionally, Mr. Brown viewed real estate as an investment opportunity, hoping to eventually build a portfolio while keeping their initial home as a rental property.
The couple explored several options across Washington, including a 3,100-square-foot, five-bedroom house with renovation potential in 16th Street Heights listed at $1.45 million; a 2013 corner-lot colonial with five bedrooms and a two-car garage in Takoma Park listed at $975,000; and a recently renovated 100-year-old four-bedroom townhouse in Petworth priced at $1.15 million. Despite mutual interest in the Petworth townhouse, Mr. Brown was initially hesitant to move forward before their self-imposed 18-month timeline.
Mr. Roberts persuaded Mr. Brown to attend an open house for the Takoma Park property, recognizing its appeal. After some weeks without competing offers, the couple made an initial bid of $925,000, ultimately agreeing on a $960,000 purchase price with a 1 percent credit at closing. To manage monthly mortgage payments, they contributed a $200,000 down payment.
The new homeowners recently celebrated with a housewarming party attended by 70 friends and family members. Following this real estate milestone, they plan to focus on starting a family, fulfilling the next goal on their shared vision board.