Maryland Mortgage Guides 2026
FHA limits by county, Maryland Mortgage Program down payment assistance, USDA rural loans, VA resources for Maryland’s military community, and a complete closing cost breakdown — all in one place.
Everything You Need for a Maryland Home Purchase
Six in-depth guides covering every aspect of getting a mortgage in Maryland — from loan program selection to what you’ll pay at closing.
Maryland Mortgage Guide
FHA loan limits by county, loan program comparison, property tax overview, and how the Maryland housing market affects your financing options.
Read guide →Maryland First-Time Home Buyer Guide
Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage loans, down payment assistance up to 6%, and income & purchase price limits by county — compared side by side.
Read guide →Maryland FHA Loan Requirements
2026 FHA limits for Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick & Charles counties ($1,249,125), Baltimore metro ($747,500), and every other Maryland county.
Read guide →Maryland VA Loan Requirements
VA entitlement, 2026 funding fee chart, and resources for Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, and the Naval Academy.
Read guide →Maryland USDA Loans
2026 USDA income limits for Maryland, eligible rural areas across the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland, and how zero-down USDA compares to FHA.
Read guide →Maryland Closing Costs Guide
State transfer & recordation tax, county-by-county rate differences, first-time buyer exemptions, and a complete fee-by-fee breakdown for Maryland buyers.
Read guide →Key Maryland Mortgage Facts
FHA Loan Limits
- Most MD counties: $541,287
- Montgomery, PG, Frederick, Charles: $1,249,125
- Baltimore metro (Anne Arundel, Baltimore City/County, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Queen Anne’s): $747,500
- Cecil County (Philadelphia metro): $630,200
- Confirm your county at HUD’s FHA mortgage limits lookup
Down Payment Assistance
- MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000: $6,000 zero-interest deferred DPA
- 1st Time Advantage 3%/4%/5%: DPA equal to % of first mortgage
- HomeStart: 6% DPA for households ≤50% AMI
- Partner Match: up to $2,500 matched assistance
- Current terms at the Maryland Mortgage Program
USDA Income Limits (FY2026)
- Lowest Maryland limit: $133,400 (1–4 person) / $176,100 (5–8 person)
- Highest Maryland limit: $153,550 / $202,700
- FY2026 limits, dated July 13, 2026
- Limits by county at USDA’s eligibility site
Closing Cost Highlights
- State transfer tax: 0.5%; 0.25% for first-time buyers, paid by the seller (Tax-Property §13-203)
- Recordation tax: set by each county, for example $5.00 per $500 in Baltimore City and $7.00 per $500 in Frederick County
- County transfer taxes also vary, for example 1.5% in Baltimore City (see the Department of Legislative Services county rate table)
Buying or Refinancing in Maryland?
Our guides above cover Maryland’s loan limits, assistance programs and closing costs, and every figure links to the official source so you can verify current terms.
- ✓ Check Maryland Mortgage Program eligibility and current terms at mmp.maryland.gov
- ✓ Confirm your county’s 2026 FHA limit with HUD’s lookup tool
- ✓ Compare FHA vs. conventional using our loan program guides
- ✓ Estimate your total cash to close with our closing cost guide
No obligation · Educational first
Talk to a Maryland Mortgage Advisor
Have questions about buying or refinancing in Maryland? A licensed mortgage advisor can walk you through your loan options, assistance programs and costs, with no obligation.
Speak to a Mortgage Advisor