Guides

Maryland and DC Real Estate Guides

Straight answers on buying and selling in Maryland and Washington, DC: programs, taxes, costs, and neighborhoods. Each guide shows when it was last checked and where the numbers come from.

For buyers

Buying a Home in Maryland vs. DC: The Differences That Actually Matter
Deciding between Maryland and DC? How homebuyer programs, deed taxes, tenant rights (TOPA), and licensing differ on each side of the line.
Updated Oct 20, 2026
DC First-Time Homebuyer Programs in 2026: HPAP, Open Doors, DC4ME, and EAHP
How DC's homebuyer programs work in 2026: HPAP up to $202,000, DC Open Doors 3% to 3.5%, DC4ME and EAHP for DC employees, and the recordation tax break.
Updated Oct 20, 2026
Maryland First-Time Homebuyer Programs in 2026: What You Can Get and How It Works
Maryland homebuyer help in 2026: 1st Time Advantage, HomeStart, SmartBuy 3.0, HomeAbility, plus county programs in Montgomery, Prince George's, and Baltimore.
Updated Oct 20, 2026

For sellers

DC Transfer and Recordation Taxes: Who Pays, Current Rates, and the First-Time Buyer Break
DC deed taxes explained: 1.1% under $400,000, 1.45% of the full price at $400,000 or more, who pays each tax, and the 0.725% first-time buyer rate.
Updated Oct 20, 2026