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Photo by Phylicia Ghee for Live Baltimore

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Homebuyers will need two types of funds to purchase their home⁠: a down payment and closing costs.

A down payment is money a buyer must invest up-front toward the home they are financing with a mortgage loan. Buyers typically put down anywhere from 3% to 20% of their home purchase price, depending on the terms of their loan. Closing costs are the amount of money needed to complete a home purchase. These costs can average between 5% and 8% of a home’s purchase price (in addition to down payment funds) and typically include title, recording, and inspection fees; property taxes; and other escrow funds. The following programs can assist homebuyers with their down payment and closing costs.

Explore a part of Baltimore City at Trolley Tour, a one-stop shop to discover, learn, and connect with homebuying resources in Baltimore City.

Our next Trolley Tour will be Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 8 am – 1 pm at Johns Hopkins University at Eastern. This FREE EVENT will give you a chance to explore Northeast neighborhoods and attend expert-led workshops. Connect with real estate professionals and homeownership counseling agencies at the City Living Fair and get all your questions answered!

Baltimore City Employee Homeownership Program

$5,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Buy Back the Block

Up to $20,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, grant

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Buying Into Baltimore

$5,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Central Baltimore Homebuying Incentive Program

$10,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, 0% interest deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

CHAI Homebuyer Assistance Loan

$10,000, zero-interest loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

CHAI Homebuyer Incentive Grant

$5,000 forgivable loan for first-time homebuyers in 21215

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Direct Homeownership Assistance Program

$5,000 down payment and closing cost assistance

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Druid Heights BRNI Boost

$10,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, below market rate deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

FHLBank Atlanta Community Partners Product

Up to $15,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

FHLBank Atlanta First-Time Homebuyer Product

Up to $12,500 down payment and closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

First-Time Homebuyers Incentive Program

Typically $10,000 to $20,000+ down payment and closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Live Near Your Work

$2,000 to $5,000+ down payment and closing cost assistance, grant

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage 3% Loan

Loan for home purchase PLUS down payment and closing cost assistance deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage 4% Loan

Loan for home purchase PLUS down payment and closing cost assistance deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage 5% Loan

Loan for home purchase PLUS down payment and closing cost assistance deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage 6000

Loan for home purchase PLUS $6,000 down payment and closing cost assistance deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Maryland Mortgage Program Community Partners Incentive Program

Up to $2,500 down payment and closing cost assistance, 0% interest deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Maryland Mortgage Program Flex 3% Loan

Loan for home purchase PLUS down payment and closing cost assistance deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Maryland Mortgage Program Flex 6000

Loan for home purchase PLUS $6,000 down payment and closing cost assistance deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Maryland Mortgage Program HomeStart 6% Loan

Loan for home purchase PLUS down payment and closing cost assistance deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs,

Maryland Mortgage Program House Keys 4 Employees

Up to $2,500 down payment and closing cost assistance, 0% interest deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Maryland Mortgage Program Smart Keys 4 Employees

Up to $1,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, 0% interest deferred loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Vacants to Value Booster

$10,000 down payment and closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable loan

Down Payment & Closing Costs

Have more questions about Baltimore City down payment and closing cost incentives?

We’re here to help. Send us an email or call 410-637-3750 for one-on-one assistance.

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