First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Howard County, Maryland

Buying your first home in Howard County comes with a real question most buyers don’t know to ask: what help is actually available for the down payment? Between a county-run loan program and a statewide assistance program, first-time buyers here have more options than most people realize.

Howard County’s Settlement Downpayment Loan Program (SDLP)

Howard County’s Department of Housing & Community Development runs the Settlement Downpayment Loan Program, which helps eligible buyers cover settlement and down payment costs.¹ Here’s what it actually offers:

Interest rate: two percentage points below your primary mortgage rate
Repayment: deferred — the loan isn’t due until you sell, refinance, or default, not paid monthly alongside your mortgage
What you still need: at least $1,000 of your own funds toward settlement/down payment, plus one month of PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) in savings
Purchase price limit: the home’s price can’t exceed Howard County’s CDA limit
Required step: pre-purchase counseling, completed before settlement

First-time buyer status is required for three of the program’s loan types (HomeStarter, HomeSteader, and DreamMaker) — it’s not required for the Revitalization or Workforce Initiative loans, which are open to repeat buyers in specific circumstances. Funds are limited and distributed first-come, first-served, so it’s worth checking current availability early rather than after you’re under contract.

The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP)

On top of what Howard County offers directly, the statewide Maryland Mortgage Program provides matched down payment assistance of up to $2,500 through approved lenders, when paired with specific loan products like 1st Time Advantage 6000 or Flex 6000.² Assistance comes in a few different forms depending on the product — direct grants, loans, or matched funds through certified partner organizations — and some products stack with local county programs like Howard County’s SDLP.

A few things worth knowing before you assume you don’t qualify:

The 1st Time Advantage line requires first-time buyer status; the Flex line is open to repeat buyers too
There are specialty tracks for specific situations — HomeAbility for buyers with disabilities, Maryland SmartBuy for buyers carrying student loan debt
Assistance amounts and options vary by which Maryland county and city you’re buying in

What This Actually Means for a Howard County Buyer

Stacked together, a Howard County first-time buyer could realistically be looking at county-level deferred-payment help through the SDLP and state-level matched assistance through MMP on the same purchase — which meaningfully changes what “I can’t afford the down payment” actually means for a lot of buyers who assume they’re priced out. The median home sale price in Howard County was $637,865 as of August 2026, according to Redfin³ — a number that gets a lot less intimidating once you know a chunk of the down payment doesn’t have to come entirely out of pocket, and doesn’t have to be repaid on a monthly basis on top of your mortgage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get help with a down payment in Howard County?

Not always. Three of the SDLP’s loan types require first-time buyer status, but the Revitalization and Workforce Initiative loans don’t. On the state side, MMP’s Flex line is open to repeat buyers as well.

How much down payment assistance can I actually get?

It depends on the specific programs and loan products you qualify for and how they stack — Howard County’s SDLP doesn’t publish a flat dollar cap (it’s based on need and program limits), while MMP’s matched assistance through certain products tops out at $2,500. A lender who works with both programs can tell you the actual combined number for your situation.

Is pre-purchase counseling really required?

Yes, for the SDLP — Howard County requires a completed pre-purchase counseling certificate before settlement. It’s a real requirement, not a formality, so build the time for it into your homebuying timeline.

Can Executive Home Group help me figure out what I qualify for?

We can point you toward the right programs and lenders and help you understand your options as part of the buying process — the actual approval and paperwork goes through Howard County’s Department of Housing & Community Development and MMP-approved lenders directly.

Thinking about buying your first home in Howard County? Schedule a consultation with Ryan or Rebeca — we’ll help you figure out where to start.

Sources:
1. Howard County Department of Housing & Community Development, Settlement Downpayment Loan Program
2. Maryland Mortgage Program, Down Payment Assistance
3. Redfin, Howard County, MD Housing Market — August 2026 data