The Maryland Mortgage Program
Nine steps.
State-backed financing, deferred down-payment help.
MMP pairs a 30-year fixed first mortgage with deferred down-payment assistance - and SmartBuy 3.0 can pay off qualifying student debt at closing. Here is the program path from finding an approved lender to keys in hand.
Find an approved lender
MMP loans must be originated by a DHCD-approved lender - your loan officer confirms approval status before anything else.
Income and household check
Every household member age 18+ counts toward the income limit; catching all income sources early prevents surprises at underwriting.
Complete homebuyer education
Required for MMP; finishing it early unlocks all product options and keeps your timeline on track from day one.
Choose your product and get pre-approved
Pick from 1st Time Advantage Direct, 6000, the 3-4-5% DPA Loan, or SmartBuy 3.0, and get pre-approved so you can write offers; your situation drives the best fit.
Contract on a home
Purchase price must stay within MMP acquisition limits; your Realtor knows the caps going in.
Reservation and rate lock
Once the contract is fully ratified, your lender reserves your MMP funds and the rate locks.
Underwriting
The lender reviews income, assets, and MMP program compliance simultaneously - respond to conditions quickly to stay on schedule.
Compliance review
Your lender submits the pre-closing compliance package within 30 days of reservation, and MMP reviews it; a post-closing review follows. Keep income and employment steady through closing.
Closing day
Sign the first mortgage and the deferred second at the table - no out-of-pocket payment on the MMP second, ever, until you sell, refinance, or move.
Program facts, not offers - income and acquisition price limits are set per county and change over time.
Limits are county-specific
The Montgomery and Prince George's County figures on the handout are one example - Frederick and Charles County use the same limits, while Calvert, Anne Arundel, and Howard are lower.
- Shown here
- Montgomery & Prince George's
- Elsewhere
- Set per county; some match, some are lower
DHCD publishes current numbers
Income and acquisition price limits are set by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and change periodically.
- Set by
- DHCD
- Updates
- Periodically, county by county
Every household member 18+ counts
The income test looks at the whole household, not just the borrowers on the loan - we check this together in the first call.
- Counted
- Every member 18+
- Checked
- Together, on your first call
We confirm your target county's number
Before you shop, we look up the current limit for the specific county where you plan to buy - not a statewide average.
- We look up
- Your target county's number
- Not used
- A statewide average
This is a program-fact overview, not a personalized quote. Limits are effective as of the date shown and subject to change without notice.
See which MMP product fits you - free
Scan the code or reach out. We walk through your household income, credit profile, and first-time buyer status to identify which MMP products are open to you - and which one fits your situation best.