Mortgage Navigator • Maryland DPA

Maryland down payment assistance, deep-checked against current state program sources.

A current inventory of state-run and state-administered assistance in Maryland, plus national DPA options. Funding and rate sheets can still change after this review date.

Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260

Published Minimum FICO: Published minimum FICO is shown only where the administering agency currently publishes one. If a universal score is not established, Mortgage Navigator labels it product/program specific rather than inventing a number.

Quick comparison

ProgramPotential assistancePublished min. FICORepayment/ForgivenessBiggest catch
MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000$6,000program specific0% deferred DPA loanVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
MMP 1st Time Advantage 3%3% of first mortgageprogram specific0% deferred DPA loanVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
MMP 1st Time Advantage 4%4% of first mortgageprogram specific0% deferred DPA loanVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
MMP 1st Time Advantage 5%5% of first mortgageprogram specific0% deferred DPA loanVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
MMP HomeStart 6%6% of first mortgageprogram specific0% deferred 30-year DPA loanMuch narrower income targeting than standard MMP assistance.
MMP Flex 6000$6,000program specific0% deferred DPA loanVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
MMP Flex 3%3% of first mortgageprogram specific0% deferred DPA loanVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
MMP UPLIFT5% DPAprogram specificMMP deferred DPA structureProperty must meet UPLIFT program requirements.
MMP First Homes for First Responders and Teachers5% DPAprogram specificMMP deferred DPA structureVerify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
MMP HomeAbilityUp to 25% of purchase price, max $45,000program specific0% deferred DPA secondSpecial disability/guardian and income eligibility applies.
MMP Montgomery County Homeownership ProgramUp to 40% of household income, max $50,000 under current directiveprogram specific0% deferred DPAGeographically limited to Montgomery County and funding constrained.
Maryland SmartBuy 3.0Student-debt payoff up to 15% purchase price, max $25,000; may combine with eligible MMP DPAprogram specific0% student-debt assistance forgiven after 5 years if occupancy conditions metThe headline $25,000 pays qualifying student debt, not down payment; separate eligible MMP DPA may be paired.
MMP Partner MatchState match up to $2,500 with approved partner assistanceprogram specificMatch follows current MMP/partner termsNot standalone DPA; requires qualifying partner contribution.
Smart Keys 4 Employees$1,000 additional deferred assistanceprogram specificDeferred assistance for eligible Maryland state employeesSmall supplemental benefit with workplace/property-location requirements.
State program

MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000

MMP 1st Time Advantage 6000 is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

MMP 1st Time Advantage 3%

MMP 1st Time Advantage 3% is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

MMP 1st Time Advantage 4%

MMP 1st Time Advantage 4% is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

MMP 1st Time Advantage 5%

MMP 1st Time Advantage 5% is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

MMP HomeStart 6%

MMP HomeStart 6% is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Much narrower income targeting than standard MMP assistance.
State program

MMP Flex 6000

MMP Flex 6000 is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

MMP Flex 3%

MMP Flex 3% is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

MMP UPLIFT

MMP UPLIFT is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Property must meet UPLIFT program requirements.
State program

MMP First Homes for First Responders and Teachers

MMP First Homes for First Responders and Teachers is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program.
State program

MMP HomeAbility

MMP HomeAbility is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Special disability/guardian and income eligibility applies.
State program

MMP Montgomery County Homeownership Program

MMP Montgomery County Homeownership Program is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Geographically limited to Montgomery County and funding constrained.
State program

Maryland SmartBuy 3.0

Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: The headline $25,000 pays qualifying student debt, not down payment; separate eligible MMP DPA may be paired.
State program

MMP Partner Match

MMP Partner Match is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Not standalone DPA; requires qualifying partner contribution.
State program

Smart Keys 4 Employees

Smart Keys 4 Employees is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: program specific

Biggest catch: Small supplemental benefit with workplace/property-location requirements.

National programs Maryland buyers should also check

National

National Homebuyers Fund

NHF multi-state assistance may be available through participating lenders. Current lender/product terms control credit, pricing, assistance and repayment or forgiveness.

Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific

Biggest catch: Compare first-mortgage pricing and DPA terms together.
National

Chenoa Fund

Chenoa Fund provides FHA down-payment assistance through approved lender partners. Current matrices control credit, pricing and second-mortgage terms.

Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific

Biggest catch: Current lender/program matrix controls.

Maryland's biggest DPA lesson

Maryland has the broadest state menu in this batch. V25 inventories the current percentage-based 1st Time Advantage products, Flex, HomeStart, specialized occupation/property products, HomeAbility, Montgomery County MMP assistance, SmartBuy and supplemental Partner Match/Smart Keys benefits.

Buying in Maryland?

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Official sources