EXHIBIT 27
EXHIBIT 24

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors or
officers of Washington Homes, Inc., a Maryland corporation, does hereby
constitute and appoint Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr. his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power to act, for him or her, in his or
her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all acts and
things and execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may
deem necessary or desirable to enable Washington Homes, Inc. to comply with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in
connection with the filing with said Commission of an Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998; but without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, power and authority to sign the name of the undersigned to such
Report, and any and all amendments thereto, and to any instruments and documents
filed as part of or in connection with such Report or amendments thereto; and
the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney and agent
shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has subscribed to these
presents as of the 16th day of October, 1998.



/s/ GEATON A. DECESARIS, SR.                         /s/ PAUL C. SUKALO
Geaton A. DeCesaris, Sr.                             Paul C. Sukalo


/s/ THOMAS CONNELLY                                  /s/ RICHARD S. FRARY
Thomas Connelly                                      Richard S. Frary


/s/CLAYTON MILLER                                    /s/CHRISTOPER SPENDLEY
Clayton Miller                                       Christopher Spendley


/s/ RICHARD B. TALKIN
Richard B. Talkin


/s/ RONALD M. SHAPIRO
Ronald M. Shapiro