First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP)
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Charles County, Maryland.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer (no ownership of residential real estate in prior 3 years).
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: 640 minimum FICO recommended; underwriting follows first-mortgage product
- A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Charles County; 8-hour homebuyer-education certificate required.
- Residency: Property must be located within Charles County, MD, and be the buyer's primary residence.
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen permitted by HUD HOME / CDBG rules
- Property must be located in Charles County and be the buyer's primary residence. Buyer must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership of residential real estate in the prior 3 years). Maximum household income approximately $108,300 (1-person) up to $204,300 (8-person), tracking the Maryland DHCD MMP Charles County limits. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer-education class required. Loan is 0% interest, deferred for the life of the loan; repaid upon sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status.
- A home in Charles County
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Households above 120% of area median income
- Homes outside Charles County
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
120% of Charles County’s area median income
HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.
Where it applies
Charles County’s homesCharles County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 70.4% single-familysingle-family
- 19.8% townhousetownhouse
- 1.3% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 7.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.8% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$428,500
Charles County median home value
28.3%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Charles County
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Charles County; 8-hour homebuyer-education certificate required..
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served subject to annual HUD HOME / CDBG funding allocation., and are subject to availability.
Work with a lender who handles the program
Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP)?
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Charles County, Maryland. Charles County's Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) is a 0% interest deferred-payment second mortgage of up to $10,000 for first-time homebuyers purchasing primary residences in Charles County. The program is administered by the Charles County Department of Community Services / Housing Authority and funded through HUD HOME and CDBG pass-through dollars. SELP funds may be used for down payment, closing costs, or both. Up to $10,000 in settlement-expense (closing-cost and down-payment) assistance as a 0% interest deferred-payment second mortgage for first-time homebuyers purchasing in Charles County. No monthly payments. loan repaid upon sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status. Funding comes from HOME, CDBG, Federal, and Local Government.
How much assistance does it provide?
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) offers between $1,000 and $6,000 in assistance. Homebuyer contribution: Minimum borrower contribution per first-mortgage program. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by Deferred 0% second-mortgage repayable in full upon sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status. The assistance is recorded in 2 position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: First-time homebuyer (no ownership of residential real estate in prior 3 years). On credit, the program states: 640 minimum FICO recommended; underwriting follows first-mortgage product. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Charles County; 8-hour homebuyer-education certificate required. Residency requirement: Property must be located within Charles County, MD, and be the buyer's primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen permitted by HUD HOME / CDBG rules. Property must be located in Charles County and be the buyer's primary residence. Buyer must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership of residential real estate in the prior 3 years). Maximum household income approximately $108,300 (1-person) up to $204,300 (8-person), tracking the Maryland DHCD MMP Charles County limits. 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer-education class required. Loan is 0% interest, deferred for the life of the loan; repaid upon sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status.
What are the income limits?
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income approximately $108,300 (1-person) to $204,300 (8-person), tracking Maryland DHCD MMP limits for Charles County (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria HMFA). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
What kind of home can it be used for?
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) caps the purchase price as follows: Tracks Maryland DHCD MMP Charles County maximum purchase price. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhouse, and Condominium. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) serves homebuyers purchasing in Charles County, Maryland.
How do you apply?
Applications for First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served subject to annual HUD HOME / CDBG funding allocation. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Charles County homebuyersOther programs open to Charles County homebuyers
- Settlement Expense Loan Program Plus (SELP+)Deferred
- ONE+ by Rocket MortgageUp to $7,000
- MMP Flex 6000Up to $6,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 78 programs for Charles CountyProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.