Partner Match Programs
Partner Match Programs is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Statewide, Maryland.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: FTHB waived in federally targeted tracts and for qualifying veterans. Specific partner agreements may waive FTHB further (e.g., employer-sponsored partners frequently waive FTHB for repeat-buyer employees).
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: 640 minimum FICO across all eligible first-mortgage products.
- A completed homebuyer education course, through MMP-approved homebuyer education provider network.
- Residency: Property in MD; primary residence. Statewide unless restricted by particular partner agreement (e.g., builder partners may restrict to specific developments).
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien.
- Borrower must receive a qualifying down-payment contribution from an APPROVED MMP PARTNER (employer, builder, developer, community organization, faith-based group, local government, or other partner per current MMP Partner Match list). Partner-contribution documentation required at reservation. FTHB required (waived in federally targeted tracts and for qualifying veterans). Owner-occupied primary residence. 640 FICO, 45% DTI. MMP income / purchase-price limits. Homebuyer education required. MMP-approved lender + master servicer. Specific match terms vary by partner agreement - verify with current MMP Partner Match list.
- A home in Maryland
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Purchases above the $1.5M price cap
- Households above $229,460
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
$229,460 household income limit, as the program publishes it
The program states this limit itself. Its official site says how household size changes it.
Where it applies
Maryland’s homesMaryland’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 51.2% single-familysingle-family
- 21.3% townhousetownhouse
- 3.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 22.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1.3% 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.
$419,900
Maryland median home value
51.2%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through MMP-approved homebuyer education provider network..
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Reserved through MMP Lender Online portal at rate lock. Partner Match designation flagged at reservation with partner-contribution documentation. Active partner list refreshed periodically by DHCD., 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 Partner Match Programs?
Partner Match Programs is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Statewide, Maryland. Maryland DHCD MMP Partner Match - umbrella for various partner-funded down-payment match contributions matched dollar-for-dollar by DHCD as an additional deferred 0% DPA layer. Partners include employers, builders, developers, community / faith-based organizations, and local governments. Specific match amounts vary by partner agreement. Active partner list at mmp.maryland.gov/Pages/Partner-Match.aspx. 640 FICO. Statewide. Maryland DHCD's Partner Match Programs is the MMP umbrella for THIRD-PARTY DOWN-PAYMENT MATCH contributions provided by employers, builders, developers, community organizations, faith-based groups, local governments, and other partners. When an MMP borrower receives a qualifying down-payment contribution from an approved partner, DHCD MATCHES the contribution dollar-for-dollar (typically up to $2,500-$10,000+ per partner agreement) as an additional 0% deferred second-mortgage DPA layered on top of the MMP first mortgage and standard MMP DPA second. Specific match amounts, eligibility terms, and partner lists vary by partner and update monthly. The Partner Match second is non-amortizing - no monthly payment - due on sale/refinance/transfer/payoff. Active partner list maintained at mmp.maryland.gov/Pages/Partner-Match.aspx. 640 FICO. Homebuyer education required. Funding comes from State and Bond.
Do you have to pay it back?
Partner Match Programs is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by 0% deferred soft second. Full balance due on sale, refinance, transfer of title, payoff of first mortgage, or non-owner-occupancy. No monthly payment. No forgiveness schedule (unless specified by particular partner agreement). The assistance is recorded in 3rd Lien position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
Partner Match Programs is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: FTHB waived in federally targeted tracts and for qualifying veterans. Specific partner agreements may waive FTHB further (e.g., employer-sponsored partners frequently waive FTHB for repeat-buyer employees). On credit, the program states: 640 minimum FICO across all eligible first-mortgage products. A homebuyer education course is required, through MMP-approved homebuyer education provider network. Residency requirement: Property in MD; primary residence. Statewide unless restricted by particular partner agreement (e.g., builder partners may restrict to specific developments). Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying non-permanent resident alien. Borrower must receive a qualifying down-payment contribution from an APPROVED MMP PARTNER (employer, builder, developer, community organization, faith-based group, local government, or other partner per current MMP Partner Match list). Partner-contribution documentation required at reservation. FTHB required (waived in federally targeted tracts and for qualifying veterans). Owner-occupied primary residence. 640 FICO, 45% DTI. MMP income / purchase-price limits. Homebuyer education required. MMP-approved lender + master servicer. Specific match terms vary by partner agreement - verify with current MMP Partner Match list.
What are the income limits?
Partner Match Programs limits household income to $229,460. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. 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?
Partner Match Programs caps the purchase price at $1.5M. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, 2-unit owner-occupied (per overlays), condo (approved), townhouse, PUD. Specific partner agreements may restrict property types (e.g., builder partners restrict to homes within specific developments). New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Is there eligibility for specific groups?
Partner Match Programs names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, and surviving spouses among the groups it serves. Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.
Where does it apply?
Partner Match Programs serves homebuyers purchasing in Statewide, Maryland. The program targets specific areas: Federally targeted census tracts and high-cost MD counties have elevated income / purchase-price limits. Specific Partner Match agreements may have additional targeted-area provisions (e.g., builder partners restrict to specific developments; local-government partners restrict to specific jurisdictions).
How do you apply?
Applications for Partner Match Programs go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Reserved through MMP Lender Online portal at rate lock. Partner Match designation flagged at reservation with partner-contribution documentation. Active partner list refreshed periodically by DHCD. 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 Maryland homebuyersOther programs open to Maryland homebuyers
- LEDC Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $10,000
- Wells Fargo Homebuyer Access GrantUp to $10,000
- ONE+ by Rocket MortgageUp to $7,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 81 programs for MarylandProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.