Quick Summary: The MMP Flex 3% Loan gives eligible Maryland buyers down payment and closing-cost assistance equal to 3% of their first mortgage amount, provided on deferred terms so you typically don't repay it as a monthly bill. It's open to both first-time and repeat buyers statewide.
How the MMP Flex 3% Loan Works
The MMP Flex 3% Loan is part of the Flex line of the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP), administered by the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) through its Community Development Administration (CDA). When you take out an MMP first mortgage, this option layers on a down payment assistance (DPA) loan sized at 3% of the first mortgage amount. So if your first mortgage is $300,000, your assistance would be roughly $9,000 — the dollar figure scales with your loan, unlike the flat $6,000 Flex option.
The assistance is structured as a deferred loan, meaning you generally don't make monthly payments on it. Instead, it usually comes due when you sell the home, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage. It is not forgivable: the full 3% balance is repaid when the first mortgage ends (sale, refinance, transfer, or payoff).
As a Maryland agent, here are two things I see trip buyers up. First, the approved-lender requirement: you must use a lender approved for the Maryland Mortgage Program — your everyday retail bank may not be on the list, so confirm before you fall in love with a house. Second, homebuyer education: MMP typically requires a completed homebuyer education course before closing, and the certificate can take time to process, so start it early rather than the week before settlement.
One real advantage of the 3% structure: because the assistance grows with your loan amount, it can stretch further on higher-priced homes than the flat $6,000 Flex 6000 loan. The $2,500 Partner Match is attached to the Flex 6000 option, not to the Flex 3% Loan. Income and home-purchase-price limits apply and vary by county and household size.
Eligibility Requirements
- Buyer status: First-time and repeat buyers may qualify (the Flex line is more flexible than first-time-only MMP options).
- Property location: Statewide — eligible properties across Maryland.
- Minimum credit score: Around 640 for most Maryland Mortgage Program products; SmartBuy requires higher.
- Income limits: Vary by county and household size.
- Home-purchase-price limits: Vary by county.
- Other requirements: Must use an approved Maryland Mortgage Program lender; homebuyer education is typically required; the home generally must be your primary residence; subject to all current program rules.
- Program figures and requirements change — confirm current details with an approved MMP/CDA lender before you rely on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine the MMP Flex 3% Loan with other Maryland Mortgage Program help?
In many cases, yes — the Flex line is designed to pair with an MMP first mortgage, but the $2,500 Partner Match is available only with the Flex 6000 option, so it does not stack on the 3% loan. You generally cannot stack two competing DPA loans (for example, the 3% option and the flat $6,000 Flex loan at the same time), so an approved lender will help you choose the better fit for your numbers. Always confirm the current layering rules before you write an offer.
How much money does the MMP Flex 3% Loan actually give me?
Your assistance equals 3% of your first mortgage amount, so the dollar amount depends on how much you borrow — a larger loan yields more assistance. For example, a $250,000 first mortgage would produce about $7,500 in assistance. Your exact first mortgage size depends on the home price, your down payment, and current program limits, so ask an approved MMP lender to run your specific scenario.
Do I have to pay the MMP Flex 3% Loan back?
It's a deferred loan, so you typically don't make monthly payments on it. It usually becomes due when you sell the home, refinance, or fully pay off your first mortgage. No portion is forgiven: the full balance is due when the first mortgage ends.
Can repeat buyers use the MMP Flex 3% Loan, or is it first-time buyers only?
Both first-time and repeat buyers may be eligible — that flexibility is a key reason the Flex line exists, while some other MMP options are limited to first-time buyers. Eligibility still depends on income, credit, property, and price limits, so confirm your full picture with an approved lender.
Check If You May Qualify
Want to know whether the MMP Flex 3% Loan — or a better-fitting Maryland program — could work for your purchase? I'll review your situation, connect you with an approved MMP lender, and map out your options across Maryland and DC. No pressure, just a clear answer on where you stand.
Official program info: mmp.maryland.gov · dhcd.maryland.gov
Check If You May Qualify
Find Programs I May Qualify ForProgram details change frequently — verify current guidelines with a licensed lender; this is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of eligibility.
Last updated: September 1, 2026. Ronnie Gilmer · Samson Properties · Serving Maryland & DC. Not affiliated with any government agency or the Maryland Mortgage Program.
Related programs
MMP Flex 6000
$6,000 zero-interest, deferred loan toward down payment and closing costs (repay at sale, refinance, or payoff).
MMP 1st Time Advantage
Lowest available MMP 30-year fixed rate; smaller add-on assistance than Flex (confirm the current rate with an approved MMP/CDA lender).
Maryland SmartBuy 3.0
Up to 15% of the home price (capped at $25,000) paid directly toward student loans at closing.