Yes — Maryland closing cost assistance is real, and most Maryland buyers don't realize the same down payment assistance (DPA) programs that help with your down payment can also cover closing costs. Through programs like the Maryland Mortgage Program's Flex 6000, plus smart use of seller concessions, you may be able to walk into closing with little to nothing out of pocket. I'm Ronnie Gilmer, a REALTOR® with Samson Properties serving Maryland and Washington, DC, and below I'll break down exactly how the stacking works.
What is Maryland closing cost assistance?
Closing cost assistance is money — usually a deferred loan — that goes toward the fees you pay at the closing table, not just your down payment. In Maryland, the biggest source is the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP), run by Maryland DHCD/CDA, which builds closing-cost help right into its down payment assistance products. The key insight most buyers miss: down payment assistance and closing cost assistance often come from the same program, so you don't have to choose between them. Keep in mind that MMP assistance comes as 0%-interest deferred loans — repaid when you sell, refinance, or transfer the home — not as outright grants.
How does MMP Flex 6000 cover closing costs?
MMP Flex 6000 is a flat $6,000 zero-interest deferred second lien that can be used for your down payment AND closing costs — you decide how to split it. It's repaid only when you sell or refinance the home, so there's no monthly payment added to your mortgage. Both first-time and repeat buyers may be eligible, which makes it one of the most flexible tools in the state. If you'd prefer help sized to your loan instead of a flat amount, MMP also offers Flex 3% — assistance equal to 3% of your first mortgage as a 0% deferred loan. You can read the full breakdown on my MMP Flex 6000 down payment assistance page.
What about First Home 100 for closing costs?
First Home 100 / First Home 100+ is a private lender product from First Home Mortgage (NMLS #71603) — it is not the Maryland Mortgage Program or a state/government program. It provides down payment assistance as a repayable fixed-rate second loan (not a grant and not forgivable): First Home 100 offers 3.5% toward your down payment, and First Home 100+ offers 5%. There are no income limits, you do not have to be a first-time buyer (repeat buyers are welcome too), and it's available across Maryland, Virginia, and DC — handy if you're shopping across state lines in our region. Because it's separate from the state programs, its closing-cost details and current availability can shift, so confirm those specifics with First Home Mortgage. If your main concern is closing costs, leaning on MMP's Flex 6000 or other general closing-cost help is usually the cleaner path.
Want to see which of these you line up with before you talk to a lender? Run your numbers through my free Buyer Program Checker — it takes a couple of minutes.
How do seller concessions and stacking work?
Seller concessions are when the seller agrees to pay a portion of your closing costs as part of the negotiated deal — and they can be combined with DPA. The strategy I coach my clients through is stacking: use a program like Flex 6000 for one piece, then negotiate seller concessions to cover more of the remaining closing costs. First-hand tip: the most common pitfall I see is buyers maxing out their assistance on the down payment and forgetting closing costs entirely, then scrambling days before closing. Plan both buckets up front with your lender so nothing surprises you. Note that concession limits and program-stacking rules vary by loan type and lender, so your approved MMP/CDA lender can confirm the current figures for your situation.
Who may qualify and how do I get started?
To use MMP assistance, you must work with an approved MMP lender, and homebuyer education is typically required for all buyers before approval — that can be a HUD-, Fannie Mae-, or Freddie Mac-approved course, taken online or in person. Generally, a first-time homebuyer means you have not owned a primary residence in the last three years, though several MMP products are open to repeat buyers too. Income limits and home-purchase-price limits vary by county and household — your approved MMP lender can confirm the current figures for your county. The credit minimum is commonly around 640 (current as of 2026) for most MMP loans, with some products requiring higher. Getting started is simple: confirm your eligibility, get pre-approved with an approved lender, and map your down payment and closing cost strategy before you shop. Explore all the options on my Maryland down payment assistance overview.
Key takeaways
- The same DPA programs often cover closing costs — MMP Flex 6000 ($6,000 deferred, zero-interest) can go toward down payment and closing costs.
- First Home 100 / 100+ is a private product from First Home Mortgage (NMLS #71603), not a state program — a repayable second loan offering 3.5% (or 5% with 100+) toward your down payment, with no income limits and open to repeat buyers.
- Seller concessions stack with assistance — negotiating the seller to cover part of your closing costs can shrink your out-of-pocket even further.
- You must use an approved MMP lender, and homebuyer education (HUD-, Fannie Mae-, or Freddie Mac-approved) is typically required; income and price guidelines vary by county and household, and the credit minimum is commonly around 640 (current as of 2026).
- Plan your down payment and closing cost buckets together up front to avoid a last-minute cash crunch.
Frequently asked questions
Can down payment assistance in Maryland also pay closing costs?
Yes — several Maryland programs are designed to do both. MMP Flex 6000 is a $6,000 zero-interest deferred loan you can apply to your down payment, your closing costs, or a split of the two, so a single program can cover both buckets.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get closing cost help?
Not always. MMP Flex 6000 is open to both first-time and repeat buyers, and First Home 100 / 100+ (a private product from First Home Mortgage) also does not require you to be a first-time buyer, so previous homeowners may still be eligible subject to lender approval.
Can I combine seller concessions with down payment assistance?
In many cases, yes — stacking assistance with seller concessions is a common way to reduce out-of-pocket cash. The exact concession limits and stacking rules depend on your loan type and lender, so your approved MMP/CDA lender can confirm the current details.
How do I find an approved MMP lender?
MMP assistance must be originated through an approved Maryland Mortgage Program lender, and the official program site is mmp.maryland.gov. I can connect you with vetted, approved lenders and help you build your closing strategy from there.
See if you may qualify
Closing cost assistance can be the difference between waiting another year and getting your keys now — but the right combination depends on your numbers. Start by clicking Check My Buyer Eligibility, then run the free Buyer Program Checker to see which programs may fit. When you're ready for a real plan, Book a Free Consultation and we'll map your down payment and closing costs together. For more detail, see my MMP Flex 6000 page and the full Maryland down payment assistance guide.
Last updated: June 22, 2026. Program details change frequently — verify current guidelines with a licensed lender; this is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of eligibility. Ronnie Gilmer · Samson Properties · Serving Maryland & DC · Not affiliated with any government agency or the Maryland Mortgage Program.