Maryland down payment assistance with the Maryland Mortgage Program
Pick your Maryland county or Baltimore City, your income and the price: the MMP loan you could draw, and the cash and payment that remain.
Help you may get in Baltimore city
$13,510
MMP 1st Time Advantage 3%, 4% or 5%: deferred loan, repaid when you sell or refinance. 0 programs likely fit, 2 to check.
| Your income vs. area median for 3 people | 75% |
| HUD 80% income limit, 3 people | $96,150 |
| Down payment at 3.5% | $9,800 |
| Cash still needed with the help | $0 |
| Monthly payment, no help | $1,871 |
| Monthly payment, with the help | $1,871 |
| FHA limit · conforming limit | $747,500 · $832,750 |
Programs read on the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) pages; HUD FY 2026 limits; payment = principal and interest over 30 years at 7.4% (Freddie Mac, October 15, 2026). The approved lender confirms eligibility.
| Program | Fit | Amount | Form | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMP 1st Time Advantage 3%, 4% or 5% | Check with the agency | $13,510 | Deferred loan, repaid when you sell or refinance | county income limit not transcribed: see the agency table; price limit by county: see the agency table |
| MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000 | Check with the agency | $6,000 | Deferred loan, repaid when you sell or refinance | county income limit not transcribed: see the agency table; price limit by county: see the agency table |
Prepared by Radif Partners · Method · updated: HUD 2026 limits effective May 1, 2026 · Freddie Mac rate of October 15, 2026 · programs read on October 21, 2026
Maryland runs its help through the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) of the Department of Housing and Community Development. The 1st Time Advantage loans come in two shapes. The percentage version adds a second loan equal to 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, depending on the product the lender chooses; the fixed version, 1st Time Advantage 6,000, adds $6,000, and a Partner Match where an approved employer or partner contributes. Both carry 0% interest and no payment, and are due only when the first mortgage ends: sale, refinance, transfer or payoff. They are for first-time buyers, with the usual exceptions for veterans and targeted areas, and require a homebuyer course. In Baltimore City a household of three earning $90,000 buying at $280,000 with FHA could draw up to $13,510 at 5%, more than the $9,800 minimum down payment. MMP's income and price limits are set by county, so the calculator flags them to confirm.
The MMP loans and how they are repaid
| Program | Amount | Repayment (agency wording) | First-time only | Min. credit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMP 1st Time Advantage 3%, 4% or 5% | a DPA loan equal to 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, depending on the product chosen | zero percent deferred second lien, due when the first mortgage ends (repayment, refinance, transfer, sale) | yes | open | |
| MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000 | a $6,000 loan for down payment and closing costs, plus Partner Match where an approved partner contributes | zero percent interest, no payments for the life of the first mortgage; due when the first mortgage ends | yes | open |
The amount follows the first mortgage, not the price. On an FHA loan of $270,200 in the Baltimore example, 3% is $8,106, 4% is $10,808 and 5% is $13,510. The fixed $6,000 loan wins only on small mortgages, below $120,000 at the 5% level, but its first mortgage rate can be lower; that is the reason both exist.
Prices and federal limits across Maryland
| County | HUD median (4 people) | HUD 80% limit (3 people) | FHA limit | Conforming limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore city | $134,000 | $96,150 | $747,500 | $832,750 |
| Baltimore County | $134,000 | $96,150 | $747,500 | $832,750 |
| Montgomery County | $166,100 | $96,150 | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Prince George's County | $166,100 | $96,150 | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Anne Arundel County | $134,000 | $96,150 | $747,500 | $832,750 |
| Howard County | $134,000 | $96,150 | $747,500 | $832,750 |
| Frederick County | $166,100 | $96,150 | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Harford County | $134,000 | $96,150 | $747,500 | $832,750 |
| Washington County | $105,100 | $74,200 | $541,287 | $832,750 |
| Wicomico County | $104,700 | $74,200 | $541,287 | $832,750 |
Maryland splits between the Washington metro, where Montgomery and Prince George's share a HUD median of $166,100 and an FHA limit of $1,249,125, and the Baltimore area at $134,000 and $747,500. MMP publishes its own income and purchase price limits by county and household size, which we link but have not transcribed. The calculator shows your income as a share of the HUD median as a guide while you check.
Your Maryland county
Help you may get in Prince George's County
$21,713
| Your income vs. area median for 3 people | 80% |
| HUD 80% income limit, 3 people | $96,150 |
| Down payment at 3.5% | $15,750 |
| Cash still needed with the help | $0 |
Baltimore City, worked through
| Program | Result | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMP 1st Time Advantage 3%, 4% or 5% | Check with the agency | $13,510 | county income limit not transcribed: see the agency table; price limit by county: see the agency table |
| MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000 | Check with the agency | $6,000 | county income limit not transcribed: see the agency table; price limit by county: see the agency table |
In Montgomery County, at $130,000 and $520,000, the 5% loan would reach $25,090, because the loan is larger. A deferred loan of that size stays on the title for as long as the first mortgage, so selling after ten years means paying it back from the proceeds, with no discount for time.
Loans for teachers and first responders
The MMP page also lists First Homes for First Responders and Teachers, a 5% deferred loan for first-time buyers in those jobs, which is not in the calculator because it depends on the employer. Several counties and Baltimore City add their own grants or loans that can be combined with an MMP first mortgage; the agency's lenders know which ones apply to your address.
Steps in Maryland
MMP works only through its approved lenders. Take the homebuyer education course first, since the certificate is required before closing. Ask the lender which 1st Time Advantage product it prices best that week and how the rate moves between the 3% and 5% versions. A Partner Match is worth asking about if your employer or a county program is on the MMP partner list.