See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Waldorf, MD (2026)
Waldorf is a large census-designated place in Charles County, Maryland, located about 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., with a median home price around $425,000. Homebuyers in Waldorf can access the Charles County SELP+ program, which provides a $14,000 grant for first-time buyers, as well as the base Charles County Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) offering up to $6,000 in deferred settlement cost assistance. At the state level, the Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage provides up to $6,000 or 3%-5% of the mortgage amount, and the Maryland HomeAbility program offers up to $45,000 for buyers with disabilities. By stacking county and state programs together, eligible Waldorf buyers could receive over $20,000 in combined down payment and closing cost assistance.
County Programs in Charles County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles County SELP+ Down Payment Assistance | Grant | $14,000 | Yes | View → |
| Charles County Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $6,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $14,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80%-100% of Area Median Income for Charles County. The SELP program requires income at or below 80% AMI, while SELP+ allows up to 100% AMI. Both require first-time buyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past 3 years.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All Charles County and Maryland state programs require HUD-approved homebuyer education. The Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee (SMTCCAC) offers workshops on the third Saturday of each month, or you can complete the course online at eHomeAmerica. Contact SMTCCAC at 301-274-4474 or housingcounseling@smtccac.org to register.
Step 3: Contact the Charles County Housing Authority. Call 301-934-0119 or 301-870-3388 to request applications for both the SELP and SELP+ programs. Staff can confirm current income limits, verify your eligibility, and connect you with a participating lender.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a lender authorized to process SELP loans. Many lenders in the area also participate in the Maryland Mortgage Program, which can provide additional down payment assistance on top of county programs.
Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. The SELP+ program requires the purchase of an existing home in Charles County (new construction is excluded). Make sure the home will serve as your primary residence.
Step 6: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate the SELP and SELP+ applications alongside your mortgage. The SELP loan is secured as a second mortgage with deferred repayment, and the SELP+ grant is forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Waldorf?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the income limits for Waldorf programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I use SELP and SELP+ together?+−
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