See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Baltimore, MD (2026)
Baltimore is Maryland's largest city and an independent city (not part of any county), situated along the Chesapeake Bay with a median home price around $217,000 — well below the national average. Baltimore offers some of the most generous homebuyer incentives in the region, including the First-Time Homebuyers Incentive Program providing $10,000 to $20,000+ in assistance, the Buy Back the Block grant offering $15,000 to $20,000 in select neighborhoods, the Vacants to Value Booster providing $10,000 for formerly vacant properties, and the Live Near Your Work program with grants up to $17,000 through participating employers like Johns Hopkins. At the state level, the Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage offers up to $6,000 in down payment assistance, while the Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 program provides up to $20,000 toward student loan repayment at closing. By stacking multiple city and state programs, eligible Baltimore buyers could potentially access $30,000 or more in combined assistance.
City Programs in Baltimore
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore City Employee Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | $5,000 or $10,000 | No | View → |
| Baltimore City First-Time Homebuyers Incentive Program | Forgivable Loan | $10,000 to $20,000+ in down payment and closing cost assistance | Yes | View → |
| Buy Back the Block | Grant | $15,000 home purchase grant or $20,000 home purchase and renovation grant | No | View → |
| Buying Into Baltimore | Forgivable Loan | $5,000 | No | View → |
| Live Near Your Work - Baltimore | Grant | Varies by employer. Example: Johns Hopkins offers up to $17,000. | No | View → |
| Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Varies based on available funding | No | View → |
| Vacants to Value Booster | Forgivable Loan | $10,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 or $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $10,000 to $20,000+ in down payment and closing cost assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $15,000 home purchase grant or $20,000 home purchase and renovation grant
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Varies by employer. Example: Johns Hopkins offers up to $17,000.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Varies based on available funding
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Maryland
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Maryland HomeAbility | Deferred Loan | 0% deferred second loan of up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $45,000, for down payment and closing costs; first and second loans combined may not exceed 105% of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
| Maryland Mortgage Program - 1st Time Advantage | Deferred Loan | Up to $6,000 or 3%-5% of the first mortgage amount | Yes | View → |
| Maryland Mortgage Program - Flex Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to $6,000 | No | View → |
| Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 | Forgivable Loan | Up to 15% of the purchase price or $20,000, whichever is less | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 0% deferred second loan of up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $45,000, for down payment and closing costs; first and second loans combined may not exceed 105% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000 or 3%-5% of the first mortgage amount
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 15% of the purchase price or $20,000, whichever is less
- First-time only:
- No
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with below-market terms | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with below-market terms
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Baltimore City programs require household income at or below 80% AMI for the First-Time Homebuyers Incentive Program, or up to 120% AMI for Buy Back the Block. Maryland Mortgage Program income limits vary by household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All Baltimore City incentives require a homeownership counseling certificate from a City-approved agency. Contact Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore at (410) 637-3750 or St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center at (410) 366-8550 to enroll.
Step 3: Contact the Baltimore City Office of Homeownership. Reach them at (410) 396-3124 or DHCD.Homeownership@baltimorecity.gov to learn which incentives you qualify for and how to apply.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a Maryland Mortgage Program approved lender to access state-level down payment assistance alongside city programs.
Step 5: Find a home in Baltimore City. Check if the property qualifies for specific programs like Buy Back the Block (eligible neighborhoods) or Vacants to Value Booster (formerly vacant properties).
Step 6: Submit your applications. Apply for all programs you qualify for before or at the time of your offer. Most city incentives require a minimum $1,000 investment from your own funds. Processing times vary, so start early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Baltimore?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Baltimore?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase with these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the Buy Back the Block program and who qualifies?+−
Can I use the Maryland SmartBuy program to pay off student loans when buying in Baltimore?+−
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