About This Maryland Down Payment Assistance Site
Straight, current information on the Maryland Mortgage Program, from a lender who originates these loans directly, not a lead broker.
Why this site exists
Search "down payment assistance in Maryland" and you will hit pages that miss the DPA menu, assume you must be a first-time buyer, or ignore Partner Match. We keep this site current to the actual Maryland Mortgage Program rules, the menu of DPA amounts, the Flex line for repeat buyers, HomeStart for lower-income households, Partner Match for stacking outside help, and the 640 credit floor. It is a flexible, generous program for a lot of Maryland buyers. When it is not the right fit, we say so.
What we do
- Originate Maryland Mortgage Program loans directly, 1st Time Advantage and Flex, on conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA.
- Match the DPA amount to your situation, 3% to 6% or a flat $6,000, first-time vs. repeat, layering outside help.
- Serve Maryland statewide, Baltimore, Montgomery, Prince George\u2019s, Anne Arundel, Frederick, and every jurisdiction.
- Give honest tradeoff advice, including when a smaller DPA beats the biggest one.
Who you work with
Mike Certo is a branch manager and licensed mortgage loan officer with Cornerstone First Mortgage (NMLS #260555; company NMLS #173855). He is an approved participating lender for the Maryland Mortgage Program and closes these loans across the state. This site is an educational resource, not the program administrator; the Maryland Mortgage Program is run by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
Have a question? Talk to Mike
Tell us your county, credit range, and price target, and we’ll map your Maryland path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.