Let’s Start Your Conversation
No commitment. Just a licensed expert walking you through your options. We’ll reach out within 24 hours.
Get expert guidance, plain answers, and a clear path to the keys.
Buying a home for the first time brings a lot of questions. We handle everything in-house, so you get real answers from real people, every step of the way.
Down payment assistance programs across Maryland may cover thousands of dollars in upfront costs. We will show you which programs you may qualify for and what your next step looks like.
Licensed Maryland Lender
Maryland-Focused Programs
No Pressure. Just Answers.
Find the right loan for your situation
Loan Types
From conventional to government-backed to Maryland-specific assistance programs — every option in one place.
Best for buyers with solid credit and stable income
Down payments as low as 3–5%. No upfront mortgage insurance premium. Works well for buyers with a 620+ credit score and consistent income history. Mortgage insurance can typically be removed once you reach 20% equity.
Popular with first-time buyer and flexible credit profiles
Government-backed loan with more flexible credit requirements. Down payments as low as 3.5% with a 580+ credit score. Popular with first-time buyers and those with limited savings or less-than-perfect credit histories.
100% financing for eligible rural and suburban Maryland areas
100% financing for buyers purchasing in eligible rural and suburban Maryland areas. No down payment required. Income limits apply based on household size and location. Ask us if your target area qualifies.
Eligible veterans, active-duty military and surviving spouses
Zero down payment option for eligible veterans, active-duty military and surviving spouses. No PMI required. Competitive rates backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. One of the most powerful home loan benefits available.
State Wide First Time Buyer Programs In MD
Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP)
The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) offers several programs to make homeownership a reality for first-time buyers. Let’s explore these programs to help determine which option is best for you!
MMP SmartBuy 3.0
For first-time buyers carrying student loan debt. Pays off up to 15% of the purchase price toward existing student loans at closing. A minimum $1,000 balance is required along with standard MMP qualifications.
- Up to $20,000
- Student loan payoff at closing
MMP 1st Time Advantage
A second mortgage at 0% interest. Choose either a fixed $6,000 or 3%, 4% or 5% of your loan amount. No payments are due until your first mortgage is paid off, refinanced or the property is sold.
- $6,000 or 3-5%
- 0% interest rate
MMP Flex
Two options: Flex 5000 is a $5,000 interest-free deferred loan combinable with Partner Match funds. Flex 3% is a credit equal to 3% of your first mortgage, also interest-free and deferred until it ends.
- $5,000 or 3%
- 0% interest, deferred
MMP HomeStart
For households at or below 50% of Area Median Income. A 0% interest, 30-year deferred loan equal to 6% of the total MMP loan amount. No monthly payments required until the first mortgage term ends.
- 6% of loan
- 0% interest, 30-year deferred
MMP Home Ability
For Maryland homebuyers with disabilities. Pairs a conventional loan with a deferred second loan at 0% interest covering down payment and closing costs. Repaid only when you sell, refinance or transfer the property.
- Up to $45,000
- 0% interest, deferred second loan
Local MD Down Payment Assistance
Programs By City And County
The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) offers several programs to make homeownership a reality for first-time buyers. Let’s explore these programs to help determine which option is best for you!
Settlement and Down Payment Loan Program
Howard County’s largest local program. A deferred loan at a capped 3% interest rate. Buyers must contribute at least $1,000 toward settlement or down payment costs, plus one month of mortgage payments.
- Up to $40,000
- Deferred loan at 3% interest
Pathway to Purchase
First-time homebuyers with up to $25,000 in 0% interest, deferred payment loans for down payment and closing cost assistance. After 10 years of ownership, the loan is forgiven, but if the home is sold before that, the remaining balance must be repaid.
- $25,000
- 0% interest, forgiven at 10 yrs
GHALP Program
Gaithersburg Homebuyer Assistance Loan Program (GHALP) provides closing cost & down payment assistance to eligible first time homebuyers who purchase within the City of Gaithersburg corporate limits.
- $12k–$25k
- Based on eligibility
Homebuyer Assistance Program
Administered by the Frederick County Department of Housing and Community Development, the Frederick County Homebuyer Assistance Program for eligible first-time homebuyers.
- Up to $12,000
- Down payment and closing costs
United Way Prosperity
For ALICE households. A matched savings program: for every $1 saved, you may receive a match toward your purchase.
- Up to $17k match
- Matched savings program
B-HIP Program
Forgivable loan for eligible buyers purchasing within Baltimore City.
- Up to $10,000
- Forgivable loan
Home Store DPA
When combined with the Maryland Mortgage Program, eligible Hagerstown buyers may stack local and statewide assistance.
- Up to $6,000
- When combined with MMP
HPAP Program
DC home purchase assistance for first-time buyers. Income-based with a separate closing cost component.
- Up to $202k
- Up to $4,000 closing costs
MMP Montgomery County
Additional 0% interest second mortgage for Montgomery County MMP buyers. Unused funds reduce your principal.
- Up to $25,000
- 0% interest, deferred up to 30 yrs
Begin Your Consultation
There’s no commitment, just a licensed expert helping you understand your options. Expect to hear from us within 24 hours.
Things you might have heard. Here’s what’s actually true.
MYTH
You need 20% down to buy a home.Reality
Most first-time buyers qualify for 3–5% down. Maryland also has down payment assistance programs that can cover part or all of that cost.
MYTH
You need perfect credit to qualify.Reality
Some programs go lower with compensating factors. Credit is one piece of the picture, not the whole story. FHA is a great option for many buyers.
MYTH
Renting is cheaper than buying.Reality
Monthly mortgage payments are often comparable to rent in Maryland, and you are building equity instead of paying someone else’s mortgage.
MYTH
Student loans will disqualify you.Reality
Student loans factor into your debt-to-income ratio but do not automatically disqualify you. It’s about the full financial picture.
MYTH
If the bank approved me for it, I can afford it.Reality
What you’re approved for and what’s comfortable for your lifestyle are two different conversations. A good lender helps you find your real number.
MYTH
Closing costs are too expensive to manage.Reality
Sellers can contribute to closing costs. Maryland also has grant and assistance programs that help cover them for qualifying buyers.
First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Glossary
Pre-Approval: A lender’s conditional commitment to loan you a specific amount, based on verified income, assets and credit. Stronger than pre-qualification.
Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Most lenders prefer a DTI below 43%.
Earnest Money: A good-faith deposit made when submitting an offer. Typically 1-3% of the purchase price, credited toward closing at settlement.
Escrow: An account held by a third party (usually your lender) to collect property taxes and insurance payments made monthly with your mortgage.
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Insurance required by most lenders when your down payment is below 20%. Can typically be removed once you reach 20% equity.
Rate Lock: An agreement that holds your interest rate for a set period, protecting you from market fluctuations while your loan is processed.
Title Insurance: A one-time policy protecting both buyer and lender against claims or disputes over property ownership from before the sale.
Loan Estimate (LE): A standardized document your lender must provide within three business days of receiving your application, detailing loan terms and estimated closing costs.
Closing Disclosure (CD): The final document outlining your exact loan terms, monthly payment and all closing costs. You receive it at least three business days before closing.
Amortization: The process of paying off your loan through scheduled monthly payments. Early payments are weighted toward interest; later payments build more equity.