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.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Waldorf
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $14,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000
- 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:
- 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 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.