Maryland first-time home buyer programs are mostly run through the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP), and the main ones are 1st Time Advantage, Flex 6000, Flex 3%, and SmartBuy 3.0 — plus extra county programs layered on top. I'm Ronnie Gilmer, a REALTOR® with Samson Properties serving Maryland and Washington, DC, and below I'll break down what each program does so you can figure out which one may fit your situation.
What are the main Maryland Mortgage Program options?
The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) is run by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Community Development Administration (CDA). It bundles a competitive first mortgage with optional down payment and closing-cost help, and you access it through an approved MMP lender — you can't just walk into any bank. Here are the four programs most first-time buyers ask me about:
- 1st Time Advantage gives you the lowest 30-year fixed MMP rate, but with fewer extra assistance dollars attached. It's generally built for first-time buyers (with a few exceptions) who want the best rate and don't need as much assistance.
- Flex 6000 is a flat $6,000 (current as of 2026), 0%-interest deferred second lien for down payment and closing costs that you repay when you sell or refinance. It's open to first-time and repeat buyers.
- Flex 3% provides down payment assistance equal to 3% of your first mortgage (a percentage, not a flat dollar amount), also a 0% deferred loan.
- SmartBuy 3.0 is the student-loan program — more on that below.
Keep in mind these are 0%-interest deferred loans, not grants — the assistance is repaid when you sell, refinance, or transfer the home.
Who may qualify for these programs?
To use the MMP, you generally need to work with an approved MMP lender, complete homebuyer education, and meet income limits and home-purchase-price limits that vary by county and household size. The latest published limits are effective May 2025 — confirm the current figures for your county with an approved MMP lender, since they vary by household and can change. The credit-score minimum is commonly around 640 (current as of 2026), though some products require higher (for example, SmartBuy is generally around 720). "First-time buyer" usually means you haven't owned a primary residence in the last three years — and remember, Flex 6000 and Flex 3% don't require you to be a first-timer at all.
Homebuyer education is typically required for all buyers before approval. It can be a HUD-, Fannie Mae-, or Freddie Mac-approved course, taken online or in person — your approved MMP lender can point you to an option that counts.
A common pitfall I see: buyers assume they earn too much to qualify and never even ask. The limits change by county and by household, so don't disqualify yourself on a guess — you may be eligible even with a solid income. Your approved MMP lender can confirm the current figures for your county.
How does Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 work for student loans?
Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 is designed for buyers carrying student-loan debt. To use it you need at least $1,000 in student-loan debt, and the program pays up to 15% of the purchase price toward your student loans — capped at $25,000 (current as of 2026) — and pays the full remaining balance of at least one borrower at closing. It's structured as a 0% loan that's forgiven after 5 years as long as the home stays your primary residence, and it's generally for first-time buyers unless you're purchasing in a Targeted area. If student loans have been the thing keeping you renting, this is the program to ask a lender about first, because you could be eligible to clear that balance and get you into a home at the same time.
What about county and city programs?
On top of the statewide MMP, many Maryland counties and cities add their own assistance — and these can often stack with MMP, subject to lender approval. A few examples:
- Montgomery County Homeownership Program (MHP): up to $50,000 in assistance (current as of 2026). It's a 0%-interest deferred second loan, calculated as up to 40% of household income and capped at $50,000. Montgomery's MPDU and MEDPAL programs have their own income guidelines — your lender can confirm the current figures for your situation.
- Prince George's County Pathway to Purchase: up to $50,000 (current as of 2026) for first-time buyers with household income at or below 80% of area median income. It's a 0% deferred loan with purchase-price caps of about $448,000 for resale and $485,000 for new construction, and it requires 8 hours of HUD-certified counseling. Funds are first-come, first-served. Exact income-limit amounts, the loan-forgiveness term, and any DTI ratios can vary — confirm the current details with the county at 301-883-5456.
- Buying Into Baltimore: $5,000 (current as of 2026) as a 5-year forgivable loan. The next Trolley Tour event date is posted at livebaltimore.com.
There's also First Home 100 / First Home 100+, a private lender product from First Home Mortgage (NMLS #71603) — not the Maryland Mortgage Program or a state/government program. First Home 100 provides 3.5% down payment assistance and First Home 100+ provides 5%, structured as a repayable fixed-rate second loan (not a grant and not forgivable). It's open to first-time and repeat buyers with no income limits and is available across MD, VA, and DC. Closing-cost details and current availability can change, so confirm those directly with First Home Mortgage. If you're looking for help specifically with closing costs, the MMP Flex 6000 is often the better place to start. Browse the full list on the county programs page so you see what's available where you're shopping.
Want a fast gut-check before you go deeper? Run your numbers through our free Buyer Program Checker to see which programs may line up with your situation.
Key takeaways
- Most Maryland first-time buyer help runs through the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) and requires an approved MMP lender plus homebuyer education.
- 1st Time Advantage = best MMP rate, fewer assistance dollars; Flex 6000 = a flat $6,000 (current as of 2026), 0% deferred loan (first-time and repeat buyers); Flex 3% = 3% of the first mortgage as a 0% deferred loan.
- These programs are 0%-interest deferred loans, not grants — repaid on sale, refinance, or transfer.
- SmartBuy 3.0 pays up to 15% of the purchase price (capped at $25,000, current as of 2026) toward student loans at closing if you have at least $1,000 in student debt.
- Counties and cities add their own programs (Montgomery up to $50,000, Prince George's up to $50,000, Baltimore and more) that may stack with MMP.
- Income limits, price limits, and credit minimums vary — verify current figures with a licensed lender before assuming you don't qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get Maryland down payment assistance?
Not always. 1st Time Advantage and SmartBuy 3.0 are geared toward first-time buyers, but Flex 6000, Flex 3%, and First Home 100 are open to repeat buyers too. Your lender can confirm which programs you could be eligible for based on your situation.
What credit score do I need for the Maryland Mortgage Program?
The minimum is commonly around 640 (current as of 2026), though requirements can vary by program and lender — some products, such as SmartBuy, generally require a higher score (around 720). Because this can change, it's best to confirm the current threshold with an approved MMP lender before you apply.
Can I combine MMP with a county program?
In many cases, yes — county and city programs can often layer on top of MMP assistance, subject to lender approval. The exact stacking rules and dollar amounts depend on the specific programs and your eligibility, so have your lender map it out for you.
How do I get started with a Maryland first-time buyer program?
Start by connecting with an approved MMP lender and completing the required homebuyer education. From there, you'll confirm income and purchase-price limits for your county and choose the program that fits — and I'm happy to help you line up the right lender and game plan.
See if you may qualify
The fastest way to know which of these may fit you is to actually run your numbers. Check My Buyer Eligibility, use the free Buyer Program Checker, or Book a Free Consultation and we'll walk through it together. For more background, visit the down payment assistance hub, read up on Maryland SmartBuy, and explore county programs where you're house hunting.
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.