Maryland Real Estate Questions, Answered

No. Maryland does not require a buyer's attorney; a licensed title company usually handles settlement, and you can choose and compare title companies.

No set amount. A broker must put your deposit in a trust account within 7 business days of contract acceptance and release it only per the law.

Usually. Most Maryland resale sellers give a disclosure or an as-is disclaimer, and must still disclose known latent defects that threaten health or safety.

Condo resale: 7 days after you receive all resale documents. HOA: 5 calendar days after receiving disclosures if not given 5 days before signing.

No, it is optional but recommended. Maryland home inspectors must be state licensed, and pre-1978 homes come with a 10-day lead paint test window.

Your contract sets the date. Lenders must give you the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing; cash deals can close faster.

For MMP loans: no home ownership in the past 3 years. For the state transfer tax break: never owned a Maryland principal residence.

Maryland's 1st Time Advantage gives $6,000 or 3% to 5% of the loan; Montgomery and Prince George's programs add up to $50,000.

Usually yes, but only when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage. Most MMP help is a 0% deferred loan with no monthly payment.

MMP requires a valid SSN, primary residence, income and price limits, usually a 640 credit score, and a homebuyer class. Citizenship is not required.

It lets eligible Maryland savers subtract up to $5,000 a year of deposits from state taxable income if the money goes to buying a Maryland home.

Deed taxes alone on a $400,000 Maryland home total about $7,600 to $12,000 by county, split 50/50 by default, plus lender, title and prepaid costs.

Split 50/50 by default. For a first-time Maryland buyer, the seller pays the state transfer tax and, unless the contract says otherwise, the county taxes too.

Qualifying first-time Maryland buyers pay no state transfer tax; it drops to 0.25% and the seller pays it.

Maryland property tax = state $0.112 per $100 of assessed value plus your county or city rate (and any town rate).

It caps yearly increases in your home's taxable assessment (10% state, lower in many counties). Apply once with SDAT for your principal residence.

The seller's homestead cap ends at sale, so new owners are generally taxed on the full assessment. Apply for the Homestead Tax Credit right away.

Half the transfer and recordation taxes by default (more if the buyer is a first-time buyer), the mortgage payoff, liens and prorations.

Yes, with the state disclaimer form, but you must still disclose known latent defects that threaten health or safety.

Often not: up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) of gain on a primary home is excluded. Maryland's extra 2% does not apply to primary homes under $1.5M.

Maryland withholds 8.75% (individuals) or 8.25% (entities) from nonresident sellers at settlement; exemption form MW506AE is due 21 days before closing.

Yes. Most Montgomery County houses and townhouses need a radon test within a year before settlement; fixing high results is negotiable.

Generally no more than 1 month's rent, with a narrow 2-month exception tied to utility assistance. Overcharges can cost the landlord 3 times the excess.

Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, with interest and an itemized list of any deductions. Unreasonable withholding can cost up to 3 times the amount.

No statewide cap. Montgomery County caps most older units at 5.2% for July 2026 to June 2027; Prince George's and Takoma Park have their own limits.

Maryland caps residential late fees at 5% of the rent due for that period ($3 a week, $12 a month max for weekly rentals).

A landlord must give a 10-day notice on the court's form before filing, and only a court-ordered eviction can remove a tenant.

Generally no. Maryland's HOME Act protects source of income, including Housing Choice Vouchers, under state fair housing law.

Pre-1978 rentals must be registered with MDE every year and pass an accredited lead inspection before each new tenant moves in.

Often yes. Baltimore City and Montgomery County require rental licenses, and Baltimore licenses stopped transferring to buyers on January 1, 2026.

Ground rent means you own the house but lease the land, mostly in Baltimore. Holders must register with SDAT, and many ground rents can be redeemed.

It depends: DC has bigger programs (HPAP up to $202,000) but higher deed taxes; Maryland taxes vary by county and county help reaches $50,000.

No. Maryland has no statewide TOPA; some counties, like Montgomery and Prince George's, have right of first refusal programs for apartment buildings.

Generally Maryland. DC does not tax nonresident wages; Maryland residents working in DC file Form D-4A with their employer.

Yes. Maryland does not require citizenship or an SSN to own a home; buy with cash or an ITIN loan. State programs and FHA have stricter rules.

ITIN mortgages are private loans for borrowers without an SSN; they are not MMP or FHA loans and usually need a larger down payment.

No. Maryland Mortgage Program help does not require citizenship, but each borrower needs a valid Social Security number.

Yes. Spanish-speaking HUD-approved counselors, MMP's Spanish packet and CFPB Spanish guides can help; work with a bilingual agent and lender.