You can get a 2 bedroom condo in springfield VA, near 495 and 95 for about $260K and the morgatge on that would be around 2K a month interest only, and let it appreciate, then fix it up right before you sell it in 2 years, and use the profit from that to get a better place. I'm a beginning real estate investor in the area, so price wise, Springfield is relatively low, and a few other places. In Herndon, you can find some places around the mexicans for like 200K, and that will bring down the payment, and I personally live in herndon and like the area a lot. You're near the airport, tysons, dulles, centerville. I also just moved up here after I graduated last may from Virginia Tech, so, I know what you mean. And 70K will be plenty if you just shop around for a place that meets your needs. If you work IN D.C. i'm not sure, you may want to find a place closer to work then herndon. Springfield, 95 is probably backed up a lot in the morning into D.C. i wouldn't know. Best of luck.