Maryland Down Payment Assistance
Maryland Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in Maryland, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Maryland homebuyers.
Maryland Housing Finance Agency
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development - Community Development Administration (Maryland Mortgage Program) (MMP)
MMP administers the primary DPA programs for Maryland. Program details below are current as of April 23, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with MMP before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Maryland
MMP 1st Time Advantage (Base)
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at the lowest MMP rate for eligible first-time homebuyers. No built-in DPA in the base version.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Income: MMP household income and purchase price limits apply; vary by county.
- Homebuyer education required
First-time homebuyer requirement waived in MMP-designated targeted areas and for honorably discharged veterans.
Source: mmp.maryland.gov
1st Time Advantage 6000
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
$6,000 deferred second mortgage with 0% interest and no monthly payments, toward down payment and closing costs; repaid at sale, refinance, or payoff.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Income: MMP household income and purchase price limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
Source: mmp.maryland.gov
1st Time Advantage DPA (3% / 4% / 5%)
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Deferred second mortgage equal to 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first-mortgage amount toward down payment and closing costs; 0% interest, deferred until sale, refinance, or payoff.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Income: MMP household income and purchase price limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
First-mortgage interest rate is higher than the base 1st Time Advantage rate in exchange for the larger DPA amount.
Source: mmp.maryland.gov
MMP Flex Loans
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage available to first-time and repeat homebuyers, with optional DPA (Flex 5000, Flex 6000, and percentage-based Flex DPA) structured as a 0% interest deferred loan.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
- Income: MMP household income and purchase price limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
Source: mmp.maryland.gov
HomeStart
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Down payment assistance up to 6% of the first-mortgage amount as a 30-year 0% interest deferred loan for lower-income first-time homebuyers.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Income: Household income at or below 50% of area median income (AMI).
- Homebuyer education required
Source: mmp.maryland.gov
HomeAbility
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
95% first mortgage plus a 0% interest second mortgage of up to 25% of the purchase price (maximum $45,000) toward down payment and closing costs.
Paired with: Conventional
- Primary residence only
- Income: MMP income limits apply; HomeAbility-specific tiers apply.
- Homebuyer education required
For buyers with disabilities or households that include a member with a disability. Verify current eligibility definitions with MMP.
Source: mmp.maryland.gov
Partner Match
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
DHCD matches contributions from participating employers, builders, or community organizations dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500 as a 0% interest deferred loan.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
- Income: MMP income limits apply.
- Homebuyer education required
Partner Match is layered on top of 1st Time Advantage 6000 or Flex 6000 (or other published eligible products). Employer/organization must be a registered MMP partner.
Source: mmp.maryland.gov
Major City & County Programs in Maryland
Buying Into Baltimore
Live Baltimore / Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development · Baltimore, MD
$5,000 down payment and closing cost incentive awarded by lottery; structured as a 5-year forgivable loan.
Applicants must attend a Live Baltimore Trolley Tour event, make a contract on a qualifying Baltimore City home within the posted timeframe, and complete program requirements. Limited number of awards per lottery.
Source: livebaltimore.com
Live Near Your Work
Baltimore City / Healthy Neighborhoods (participating employers) · Baltimore, MD
Minimum combined employer and City grant (commonly $5,000 combined) toward down payment and closing costs in eligible Baltimore neighborhoods. Grant amounts vary by employer.
Eligibility requires employment with a participating Live Near Your Work employer and purchase of a primary residence in an eligible Baltimore neighborhood. Confirm current list of participating employers and eligible ZIPs.
Source: healthyneighborhoods.org
Maryland Notes for Homebuyers
- Maryland imposes state recordation and transfer taxes at closing; certain first-time-homebuyer exemptions may apply. Confirm current rates and exemptions with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
2026 Loan Limits in Maryland
Conforming (Conventional)
$806,500 baseline
Some Maryland counties qualify as high-cost, with limits up to $1,209,750.
FHA
$524,225 floor
Higher-cost Maryland counties can reach the FHA ceiling of $1,209,750.
Live DPA Pricing for Maryland
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Maryland scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 580
- ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
- ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
- ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
Compare DPA options for Maryland with live pricing
Rate Direct pairs down payment assistance with live first-lien pricing so you see the combined monthly payment up front.