How to buy a home in Maryland

The state of Maryland offers plenty of outdoor scenery, proximity to the nation's capital, and excellent seafood. The key figure when thinking about buying a house in Maryland is the median home price, which in December 2025 was $442,600, according to Redfin. With just over 5,000 homes sold statewide with more than 19,000 listings on the market, buyers looking for a home in Maryland have options.

Maryland's housing market: At a glance

Source: Redfin.com, as of Jan. 16, 2026.

Significant Maryland real estate market trends

In December 2025, the cost of a house in Maryland was up 3% year over year, with a median price of $442,600. On average, the number of homes sold was down 2.5% year over year, to 5,422 in December 2025. You can check out today's mortgage rates in Maryland with Rocket Mortgage.

Some factors that affect home prices include:

• Location. You can expect homes to be more expensive in Silver Springs than in Hagerstown.
• Property type, size, and features. The larger the home, the more expensive it's likely to be. Features such as a swimming pool, updated kitchens and bathrooms, and energy-efficient upgrades can also improve a home's value.
• Construction and land costs. The cost of construction and land in the state can affect home prices. Additionally, permits, borrowing costs, and local fees can also contribute to the higher cost of homes in the state.

Finding a mortgage lender in Maryland

Before you begin shopping for a home in Maryland, here are some basic principles for finding the right lender.

• Shop around. Look for a lender with a track record of positive reviews from past clients, or an institution that you already trust, such as your bank or credit union. It's a good idea to get quotes from at least three lenders to compare mortgage interest rates and terms.
• Get mortgage preapproval. Once you’ve decided on a lender, apply for mortgage preapproval. Your lender will review your finances and provide you with a letter estimating the loan terms it expects you'll qualify for. This letter is typically good for 60 to 90 days and shows agents and sellers you're ready to buy.

Finding a real estate agent in Maryland

An experienced real estate agent can make buying a house in Maryland much easier and less stressful. Agents are professionals who are licensed to organize and assist buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. They may work independently or on behalf of a real estate broker or another agent, and are paid a commission at closing, usually by the seller.

An experienced agent can help streamline your search and help with the following tasks:

• Using the multiple listing service to identify properties in your price range
• Schedule home tours and accompany you on walk-throughs
• Draw up and make an offer on your behalf
• Negotiate the terms of a sale with the seller or their agent
• Guide you through the process to closing

Talk with a few agents based in the area where you're interested in buying a home. A good agent will know the town, its individual neighborhoods, the quality of local schools, and other essential aspects of a neighborhood. They also will help you make a competitive offer based on their experience in that market.

Home buying assistance programs in Maryland

Aspiring Maryland homeowners may benefit from home buying assistance programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a first-time home buyer is someone who has not owned a principal residence in the previous 3 years. Maryland has down payment assistance programs to help first-time home buyers with the up-front costs of buying a home.

1st Time Advantage Loans

1st Time Advantage Loans in Maryland offers multiple loan programs designed to provide eligible first-time home buyers the lowest 30-year fixed interest rate available for Maryland Mortgage Program loans.

Loans may come with below-market interest rates or cover a percentage of closing costs with zero mortgage payments due until you sell the house. You must be a first-time buyer, buying a home in a targeted area, having closed on a prior home, or not having purchased a home in the past 3 years, or be a qualified veteran.

Maryland Mortgage Program Flex

This loan program works much like the 1st Time Advantage Loans, except Flex loans are available to repeat home buyers.

Pathway to Purchase

This program, offered to residents of Prince George's County, provides down payment and closing costs loans of up to $25,000 to first-time home buyers who demonstrate a certain level of economic need.

Start the Pathway to Purchase process by contacting one of the program’s approved mortgage lenders to get qualified for a mortgage. Your lender will send your loan documents to the Pathway to Purchase program for review and consideration.

Frederick County Homebuyer Assistance Program

The Frederick County Homebuyer Assistance Program is administered by the Frederick County Division of Housing for residents and workers in Frederick County. It provides down payment and closing cost loans of up to $12,000. Gross household income must not exceed a certain amount, and the application is submitted by your lender.

Home buying process in Maryland

Once you’ve decided to buy a house in Maryland, it's essential to understand how the home-buying process works. Here are some of the key steps that occur in every home purchase:

• Review your finances. You'll want to check your credit and estimate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to see how prepared you are to apply for a mortgage. You'll also need to check your savings to see how much you have for a down payment and closing costs.
• Get mortgage preapproval. Best to know how much you can borrow before you even start house-hunting, so you can focus your search on homes that you can afford.
• Find a real estate agent. A qualified professional with knowledge of the housing market you’re searching can be invaluable.
• Search for your home. This can be exciting, but also frustrating if you lose out on a house you really like. Be ready for some ups and downs.
• Make an offer. Your real estate agent can help you draft a realistic, competitive offer based on their experience and market knowledge. You'll want to include contingencies you consider essential, such as an inspection contingency. You may offer earnest money to encourage the seller to accept your offer.
• Agree on the sale. Once you and the seller agree to the sale, your agent will draft a purchase and sale agreement outlining the terms of the sale and any contingencies that must be met.
• Apply for a mortgage. This is the point where you officially apply for a mortgage. Your lender will review and verify your finances as it underwrites the loan. You'll receive a Loan Estimate within 3 business days of submitting your application.
• Close on your home. Before you close, you'll need to secure homeowners insurance and have the home inspected. At least 3 business days before closing, you'll receive a Closing Disclosure from your lender outlining the final terms of the loan. At closing, you'll provide your down payment, pay closing costs, and sign the paperwork that will fund your mortgage loan and transfer legal ownership of the home.

The bottom line: There is a lot of help available to buy a home in Maryland

Buyers looking for a home in Maryland have plenty of relatively affordable options. To find the right Maryland home for you, you'll need to consider location, the type of home you want to buy, the current market, and the home buying process.

If you're ready to buy a home in Maryland, explore your borrowing options today on Rocket Mortgage.