Homebuyer Programs in Rockville, MD (2026)
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County and one of the most established cities in the Washington, D.C. metro area, with a population of about 69,000 and a median home price near $650,000. Despite the high cost of entry, Rockville buyers have access to strong assistance at every level of government. The Montgomery County Homeownership Assistance Fund (McHAF) and the Montgomery Homeownership Program each offer up to $25,000 in deferred-loan down payment assistance, while the Montgomery Employee Down Payment Assistance Loan (MEDPAL) provides $25,000 to eligible county employees and MCPS union members. The HOC Revolving Closing Cost Assistance Program (RCCAP) adds up to $10,000 toward closing costs, and the City of Rockville runs its own MPDU Homeownership Program that makes select for-sale homes available at below-market prices. By stacking state, county, and city programs, eligible Rockville buyers can potentially access over $60,000 in combined assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Rockville
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockville MPDU Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Below-market purchase price on city-regulated affordable housing units | Yes | View → |
| HOC Revolving Closing Cost Assistance Program (RCCAP) | Zero-Interest Loan | 5% of the sales price, up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| Montgomery County Homeownership Assistance Fund (McHAF) | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| Montgomery County MPDU Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Below-market purchase price on regulated housing units | Yes | View → |
| Montgomery Employee Down Payment Assistance Loan (MEDPAL) | Deferred Loan | $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| Montgomery Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 (40% of qualifying borrower income, maximum $25,000) | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| 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+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with zero-interest terms | No | View → |
| Maryland HomeAbility | Deferred Loan | Up to 25% of the purchase price or $45,000 for down payment and closing costs | No | 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:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market purchase price on city-regulated affordable housing units
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 5% of the sales price, up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market purchase price on regulated housing units
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000 (40% of qualifying borrower income, maximum $25,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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:
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with zero-interest terms
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 25% of the purchase price or $45,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most Montgomery County programs require household income at or below area median income limits set by HUD, and many require a minimum credit score of 640. Review current income and sales price limits on the HOC website or through a participating lender.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. At least one borrower must complete a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer course. The Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP) offers a 6-hour Saturday workshop for $30 per person. You can reach HIP at 301-916-5946 to register.
- Step 3:
Contact the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC). HOC administers most Montgomery County homebuyer programs including McHAF, RCCAP, and the Mortgage Purchase Program. Call 240-627-9400 or visit their website to connect with approved lenders.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved through a participating lender. Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) and HOC programs require you to work with an approved lender who can package state, county, and federal assistance together. Ask about stacking the Montgomery Homeownership Program or McHAF with your first mortgage.
- Step 5:
Explore the Rockville MPDU program. If you are interested in below-market priced homes within city limits, email rockvillempdu@rockvillemd.gov or call 240-314-8300 to apply for the MPDU waiting list. Applications must be renewed every two years.
- Step 6:
Find a home and submit your application. Work with your lender to identify properties within program price limits. Once under contract, your lender will submit the DPA application on your behalf. Processing times vary, so start the process early.