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Unlocking Homebuyer Grants in Maryland, DC, and Virginia

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Your Guide to Affordable Homeownership

Buying a home can feel like a huge financial leap, especially when you consider the upfront costs like down payments and closing fees. But did you know there are grants and programs in Maryland, DC, and Virginia designed to make homeownership more affordable? 

These programs provide financial support to help with down payments and closing costs, making it easier for first-time buyers and those with moderate incomes to take the next step toward homeownership.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the key programs available in each region, so you can find the ones that might be right for you. And if you’d like to learn more about buying a home and navigating these programs, join me for one of my weekly homebuyer webinars! Register now to get started on your path to homeownership.

 

 

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Contents:

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Maryland Homebuyer Grants

Here are some of the grants and incentives you may be eligible for when buying a home in Maryland:

Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP)

The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) provides various loan options to help make homeownership more affordable for qualified buyers.

1st Time Advantage 6000 & Flex 6000

  • Assistance: Offers up to $6,000 for down payment assistance.
  • Eligibility: Available to first-time buyers or repeat buyers in specific areas. Homebuyer education is required.
  • Application Steps: Apply through an MMP-approved lender and complete the required homebuyer education course.

SmartBuy 3.0

  • Assistance: Provides up to $20,000 to pay off student loans as part of the home purchase.
  • Eligibility: For first-time buyers with existing student debt. Requires a 97% Loan-to-Value (LTV) first mortgage.
  • Application Steps: Check eligibility with an MMP lender and complete the required homebuyer education.

HomeStart 6% DPA Loan

  • Assistance: Offers a deferred loan equal to 6% of the down payment and closing costs.
  • Eligibility: Designed for buyers with low-to-moderate incomes who meet income limits.
  • Application Steps: Apply through an MMP-approved lender and complete the homebuyer education requirements.

Local Programs

Montgomery County Employee Assistance

  • Assistance: Offers up to $25,000 for down payment assistance to county employees purchasing a home in Montgomery County.
  • Eligibility: Must be a first-time buyer employed by Montgomery County.
  • Application Steps: Confirm eligibility with Montgomery County’s housing office and follow their application process.

Prince George’s County Pathway to Purchase Program

  • Assistance: Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs.
  • Eligibility: Available to first-time homebuyers purchasing a home in Prince George’s County. Buyers must meet specific income limits.
  • Application Steps: Complete a homebuyer education course and apply through a lender approved by the Pathway to Purchase Program.

These programs offer substantial support for homebuyers in Maryland. If you’d like more guidance on any of these options or want to learn more about the home-buying process, reach out to me today!

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Washington, DC Homebuyer Grants

If you're looking to get a mortgage in DC, there are several options that may be available to you to help with multiple associated costs:

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors provides deferred loans to help with down payment and closing costs, specifically aimed at moderate-income buyers.

  • Eligibility: Buyers must meet income limits and cannot have owned a home in the past three years.
  • Application Steps: Complete the DC Open Doors homebuyer education course and work with an approved DC Open Doors lender to apply.

Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP)

HPAP assists low-to-moderate income buyers with down payments, offering substantial support based on income and household size.

  • Eligibility: Income limits apply, and they vary by household size. First-time buyers receive priority.
  • Application Steps: Complete HPAP’s homebuyer education course and apply through an HPAP-approved lender.

Additional Local Programs

In addition to DC Open Doors and HPAP, some smaller local programs may also offer grants or assistance for specific buyer groups. For example, programs may be available for district government employees, healthcare workers, or residents purchasing in certain neighborhoods.

DC offers a range of resources for buyers. To get a detailed understanding of the options available to you and how to apply, get in touch with me today or consider joining one of my weekly homebuyer webinars. I’ll walk you through these programs and answer any questions you have about securing your new home!

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Virginia Homebuyer Grants

Need financing in Virginia for a new home? Take a look at these programs to potentially help reduce your costs: 

Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA) Programs

Virginia Housing offers several grants to make homeownership more affordable, especially for those with low to moderate incomes.

Down Payment Assistance Grant

  • Assistance: Provides a grant to help cover part of the down payment.
  • Eligibility: Must meet specific income and credit score requirements, and the loan must be a Virginia Housing mortgage.
  • Application Steps: Apply through a Virginia Housing-approved lender and complete required homebuyer education.

Closing Cost Assistance Grant

  • Assistance: Offers financial support to help cover closing costs for eligible borrowers using FHA, VA, or USDA loans.
  • Eligibility: Must meet income and credit requirements and be using an eligible loan type.
  • Application Steps: Confirm eligibility and apply through a Virginia Housing lender, submitting all necessary documentation.

Plus Second Mortgage

  • Assistance: Combines an eligible Virginia Housing first mortgage with a second mortgage to cover down payments and, for some credit-qualified borrowers, closing costs. This is a 30-year fixed-rate loan with no prepayment penalty.
  • Eligibility: Available to both first-time and repeat homebuyers who meet income and sales price limits, and must use a Virginia Housing loan.
  • Application Steps: Apply through a Virginia Housing-approved lender and complete homebuyer education.

Special Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Borrowers

Virginia Housing provides additional support options for those using FHA, VA, and USDA loans, with grants and assistance tailored for lower-income buyers.

  • Eligibility: Must meet income limits, maintain certain credit standards, and use a Virginia Housing loan.
  • Application Steps: Work with a Virginia Housing-approved lender to complete required homebuyer education and confirm eligibility.

These Virginia programs offer valuable assistance to ease the upfront costs of buying a home. If you’re interested in learning more about these options or have questions about getting started, get in touch with me today.

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Grants Available Across Maryland, DC, and Virginia

Some homebuyer assistance programs are available to eligible borrowers across Maryland, DC, and Virginia, providing additional support options for those considering homes in multiple areas.

Family Homeownership Program (FHOP)

  • Assistance: Offers up to 100% financing to borrowers with low to moderate incomes.
  • Eligibility: Available to first-time homebuyers and repeat buyers, with a minimum credit score requirement and household income limits at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
  • Application Steps: Apply through approved lenders and complete required homebuyer education. ​

Community Empowerment Initiative

  • Assistance: Provides flexible loan options, reduced mortgage insurance, and a $5,000 grant for eligible buyers, supporting underserved communities.
  • Eligibility: Not limited to first-time buyers; income limits apply, focusing on those in majority-minority communities across Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
  • Application Steps: Work with an approved lender and confirm eligibility based on income and property location​.

These grants provide a unique advantage for buyers considering homes in more than one of these regions.

Learn About and Leverage All Your Grant Options for Maximum Affordability 

These grant programs in Maryland, DC, and Virginia are designed to make it more accessible and affordable. With options that cover down payments, closing costs, and even student loan assistance, there are many resources to help you achieve your goal of homeownership.

If you're interested in exploring any of these programs further, or just want a clearer understanding of your options, join me for one of my weekly online homebuyer webinars. I’ll walk you through the steps and answer any questions to help make your home-buying journey as smooth as possible. Let’s work together to make your homeownership dreams a reality!

 

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