Maryland buyers can explore statewide Maryland Mortgage Program assistance and county-specific programs. MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000 and Flex 6000 provide $6,000 deferred loans, while Montgomery County and Prince George's County offer separate assistance with their own eligibility and repayment rules. Confirm the product and permitted combination with your lender.
Guide reviewed on October 20, 2026. Individual source dates appear below. Programs, limits and funding change, so confirm with the agency and a participating lender before you rely on a figure.
What is down payment assistance?
Down payment assistance (DPA) is money or financing from a housing agency, nonprofit, lender or employer that may help with your down payment or closing costs. Each program sets its own rules. A low-down-payment mortgage is a loan option, not itself an assistance award.
Types of down payment assistance
Grants
Assistance that may not require repayment when you satisfy the program terms. Read any recapture conditions.
Forgivable loans
A second loan whose balance may be forgiven over a required period of homeownership. Selling or moving early can trigger repayment.
Deferred-payment loans
A loan with payments postponed, often until you sell, refinance, move out or reach maturity. Deferred does not mean forgiven.
Repayable loans
Assistance repaid over time. Check the interest rate, monthly payment and effect on your mortgage qualification.
Selected for statewide reach, distinct assistance options and local coverage. This is an editorial shortlist, not a ranking of the best program for you. Alternatives and add-ons are identified below. Verify current funding before applying.
What it offers: Up to $50,000 toward down payment and closing costs.
Repayment: 0%; reduces 10% annually, fully forgiven after ten years. Repayment triggers include sale, transfer or ending primary occupancy.
Works with: Can combine with specified MMP mortgage options; county applies separately. Get MMP lender pre-approval; lender submits separate county application after required steps.
Who qualifies: Eligible Prince George's County property; approved mortgage, education, inspection and county requirements.
Availability: County funding is separate from MMP. Confirm funds directly with county.
Compare geographic coverage in selected locations among the five programs featured on this page. This is not an exhaustive statewide ranking. Counts include conditional options, alternatives and add-ons, not five awards you can necessarily combine. Address boundaries, individual eligibility and available funding still apply.
Method: count each distinct referenced program once per location, then sort by count and alphabetically for ties. Coverage describes this guide only and does not establish live funding.
Could I be eligible for DPA in Maryland?
Start with your planned location and the specific program. Common factors include:
Household income and size, with limits that may vary by county.
First-time buyer or first-generation status, where required.
Purchase price, property type and use as your primary residence.
Credit, debt-to-income ratio and eligibility for the required first mortgage.
Any occupation, residency or targeted-area conditions.
Your Dream Score can help you explore potential matches. The administrator and lender determine eligibility and approval.
Ask the participating lender which documents and steps apply:
Income, employment, tax and asset records.
A homebuyer education course or approved counseling.
A qualifying mortgage through a participating lender.
Any required contribution from your own funds.
An eligible property, inspection and occupancy commitment.
Gift letters and transfer records for any eligible gifts.
Confirmation of deadlines, funding reservation and repayment terms.
There is no single income limit, credit score or borrower contribution that applies to every program.
What are the income and price limits in Maryland?
Each limit below is the range the agency published, as of the date shown.
Limit
Range
In effect
Source
MMP household income and purchase price limits
Limits vary by county, household size and mortgage product. MEDPAL also applies Montgomery County workforce income limits. Confirm current limits with your approved lender.
Complete the required approved homebuyer education course.
For Montgomery County or Pathway to Purchase assistance, ask the lender to confirm current county funding and any separate application, inspection or employment requirements.
Bring your funding sources together.
DPA, savings and eligible gifts through your future Dream Fund can be parts of one homebuying plan.
Estimate your down payment and closing costs, then review your lender's cash-to-close figure.
Confirm which assistance programs work with your mortgage and with each other. Some options are alternatives, not cumulative awards.
Subtract confirmed, usable savings and approved assistance to understand the remaining gap. Keep potential awards separate.
Plan a Dream Fund campaign target for the gap. A pledge or fundraising estimate is not money available to close.
Before relying on gifts, ask your lender about acceptable donors, no-repayment gift letters, transfer evidence and any minimum own-funds contribution.
Your lender and program must approve the combination. A campaign record alone does not establish that a gift is acceptable for your mortgage. Gifts must be genuine and must not be disguised loans.
Home funds are not open yet. You can get your Dream Score now and join the campaign waitlist.
Can I combine Maryland assistance with gift funds or employer help?
Gift funds
Your lender and each assistance administrator must confirm whether gift funds can accompany the selected loan. Ask about acceptable donors, required own funds and documentation before setting a Dream Fund campaign target.
Employer help
MMP lists approved employer and community partners through its Partner Match program. Confirm your employer and product eligibility. Employer contributions are not currently supported on Dreamfund.
Other assistance
The 1st Time Advantage 6000 and Flex 6000 products may qualify for Partner Match assistance. MMP describes a specific Pathway to Purchase combination with 1st Time Advantage 6000 and Partner Match. Apply separately for county funding and obtain lender confirmation before adding amounts.
The featured MMP products use second loans. Some are deferred and must be repaid on specified events, while Pathway to Purchase has conditional forgiveness over ten years. Review the agreement for your chosen product.
Can repeat buyers use Maryland assistance?
MMP Flex products allow first-time and repeat buyers who meet the requirements, including no other real property at closing. 1st Time Advantage requires first-time buyer status or a permitted exception.
Can I combine county assistance and an MMP loan?
Sometimes. MMP describes approved combinations for Pathway to Purchase and its Montgomery County products. Your lender and county must confirm the specific combination and available funding.
How do I start?
Contact an MMP-approved lender, confirm county and household eligibility, complete the required education and follow any separate county application process.
Disclosure: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, mortgage, or tax advice. Program rules vary by lender, location and loan. Dreamfund is not affiliated with any housing agency named here. Consult a licensed mortgage professional for guidance specific to your situation. Dream Fund AI LLC does not guarantee any savings outcome, loan approval, or home purchase result.