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Maryland Down Payment Assistance Programs

This is the index for every down payment assistance program I help Maryland and DC first-time buyers navigate — state Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) options plus county-level help in Montgomery, Prince George's, and Baltimore City. Start with the free checker, then dig into the program that fits your situation.

Last updated: September 1, 2026

Take the Free Program Checker Find Programs I May Qualify For

Who

Maryland and DC buyers, often first-time, who need help with down payment and closing costs.

What

State (MMP) and county programs offering 0% deferred loans or forgivable loans toward your down payment and closing costs.

Where

Statewide Maryland, plus Montgomery, Prince George's, and Baltimore City–specific programs.

What next

Run the free checker, then book a buyer eligibility review with a licensed Maryland lender.

Maryland State Programs (MMP)

These are administered by the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) through the Community Development Administration (CDA), and require an approved Maryland Mortgage Program lender.

Program	Who it helps	Benefit
MMP 1st Time Advantage	First-time Maryland buyers who want the lowest available 30-year fixed MMP rate.	Lowest available MMP 30-year fixed rate; smaller add-on assistance than Flex (confirm the current rate with an approved MMP/CDA lender).	View program
MMP Flex 6000	First-time and repeat Maryland buyers who need help with down payment and closing costs.	$6,000 zero-interest, deferred loan toward down payment and closing costs (repay at sale, refinance, or payoff).	View program
MMP Flex 3% Loan	First-time and repeat Maryland buyers, especially on higher-priced homes where 3% scales further.	Down-payment/closing-cost assistance equal to 3% of your first mortgage amount, on deferred terms.	View program
Maryland SmartBuy 3.0	Maryland buyers with student-loan debt of at least $1,000 who are ready to buy.	Up to 15% of the home price (capped at $25,000) paid directly toward student loans at closing.	View program

MMP 1st Time Advantage

Who: First-time Maryland buyers who want the lowest available 30-year fixed MMP rate.

Benefit: Lowest available MMP 30-year fixed rate; smaller add-on assistance than Flex (confirm the current rate with an approved MMP/CDA lender).

View program

MMP Flex 6000

Who: First-time and repeat Maryland buyers who need help with down payment and closing costs.

Benefit: $6,000 zero-interest, deferred loan toward down payment and closing costs (repay at sale, refinance, or payoff).

View program

MMP Flex 3% Loan

Who: First-time and repeat Maryland buyers, especially on higher-priced homes where 3% scales further.

Benefit: Down-payment/closing-cost assistance equal to 3% of your first mortgage amount, on deferred terms.

View program

Maryland SmartBuy 3.0

Who: Maryland buyers with student-loan debt of at least $1,000 who are ready to buy.

Benefit: Up to 15% of the home price (capped at $25,000) paid directly toward student loans at closing.

View program

Maryland County Programs

County-level help is often layered on top of an MMP first mortgage and state DPA to reduce the cash you bring to closing.

Program	Who it helps	Benefit
Montgomery County Homeownership ProgramClosed to new reservations (Sept 1, 2026)	Eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence in Montgomery County, Maryland.	Closed to new reservations (Sept 1, 2026). County down payment/closing-cost assistance up to $50,000, not exceeding 40% of household income.	View program
Prince George's County Pathway to Purchase	Eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence in Prince George's County, Maryland.	Substantial down-payment & closing-cost help — up to $50,000 per buyer.	View program
Buying Into Baltimore	Eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence within Baltimore City limits.	$5,000 forgivable-over-5-years incentive toward down payment & closing costs.	View program

Montgomery County Homeownership Program

Closed to new reservations (Sept 1, 2026)

Who: Eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Benefit: Closed to new reservations (Sept 1, 2026). County down payment/closing-cost assistance up to $50,000, not exceeding 40% of household income.

View program

Prince George's County Pathway to Purchase

Who: Eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Benefit: Substantial down-payment & closing-cost help — up to $50,000 per buyer.

View program

Buying Into Baltimore

Who: Eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence within Baltimore City limits.

Benefit: $5,000 forgivable-over-5-years incentive toward down payment & closing costs.

View program

Check If You May Qualify

Find Programs I May Qualify For

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.

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