Out from under the ownership of Daniel Snyder, the woebegone Washington Commanders are attempting to chart a new course.
They’ve jettisoned yet another head coach and hired a new general manager to plot their return to greatness. And when you factor in that the team spent $75 million to upgrade the experience at its stadium, it’s what you might call a gut renovation for a franchise that’s wallowed in mediocrity for decades.
Due to the Commanders’ on-field ineptitude, the team snagged the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. With the selection of Jayden Daniels, there’s faint hope on the horizon.
It’s early days in what’s shaping up to be a fairly massive rebuild for the organization, and Daniels is just one brick in the proverbial wall. The Commanders hope he’ll be a cornerstone for years to come—and for now, he must settle on a place to stay near the nation’s capital.
As with other NFL squads (Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and both New York teams), the “Washington” in the team’s name reps a city where precious little NFL business actually takes place.
The team’s headquarters are in the suburban town of Ashburn, VA, and home games are played at Commanders Field in Landover, MD.
For a rookie set to sign a four-year deal for north of $30 million, it makes sense to make a great first impression by staying close to the team’s facilities in the suburbs about 30 miles west of the nation’s capital.
But the housing stock in Ashburn tends to run from beige to beige, with a few red-brick mansions in the mix to spice things up. That said, there are a couple of cooler options for a guy in his early 20s looking to settle down. Best of all, these oversized homes are way more affordable than homes of comparable size in DC.
Ashburn options
Case in point: this seven-bedroom, 5,607-square-foot home that recently landed on the market for $1.5 million, an ideal price range for a high draft pick.
Offering a bit of a modern farmhouse vibe, the high-end residence sits in a cul-de-sac—another plus for a pro athlete. Highlights include an outdoor kitchen, a three-car garage, and a price per square foot of only $268.
(Realtor.com)
A more affordable option is this four-bedroom townhouse priced at $999,990. At nearly 3,700 square feet, it clocks in at a very reasonable $271 per square foot. Sure, there’s a monthly homeowners association fee of $170, but that also means less maintenance for a guy who’s supposed to be busy studying the playbook day and night.
Highlights of this tony townhouse include an enormous kitchen island, dark hardwood flooring, and a rooftop deck.
(Realtor.com)
If Daniels decides to rent, the lease options in Ashburn are also friendly to pro athletes. The rental market tops out at around $6,000 a month, but a guy could easily get by by paying less than $4,000 for a large (2,500-plus square feet) condo or single-family home.
For example, there’s a nearly 4,000-square-foot townhouse with a giant media room for $3,900 a month, and an end-unit condo with over 2,500 square feet on the market for $3,500 a month.
(Realtor.com)
Virginia, but make it closer to DC
Daniels might decide he likes what Virginia offers but prefers to be inside the Beltway and closer to the capital.
Arlington sits just across the Potomac River from the district and offers another relatively affordable option for a rookie. The median home price in the town is $800,000, and there are a few high-end options for a brand-new home.
A new Arlington home in a modern farmhouse style would likely appeal to a young guy searching for a bachelor pad. With five bedrooms and over 7,500 square feet of living space, this open and airy home also has a spa bath that would appeal to a guy with a bruising day job. It’s a bit pricey at $2,775,000, but it comes with a lot of space.
(Realtor.com)
What about Watergate?
If Daniels decides to buy in DC, he should lean into the area’s history. There’s no better—or more luxurious—option than a penthouse at The Watergate. Yes, that Watergate.
Politics aside, this two-bedroom unit with a private roof terrace could easily win over a buyer from either side of the aisle. On the market for $1,595,000, the residence features a two-story foyer, a primary bathroom with a deep soaking tub, and a bedroom that’s been converted into a media room.
The views of the city from the 1,200-square-foot terrace are simply spectacular, and there’s plenty of space to set up a massive grill for summertime cookouts. He should just steer clear of any suspicious guys in the parking garage offering leaks from opposing teams’ playbooks.
(Realtor.com)
