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SDLP - DreamMaker Loan

SDLP - DreamMaker Loan is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Howard County, Maryland.

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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; underwriting per first-mortgage product
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Howard County; 8-hour homebuyer-education certificate required.
  • Residency: Property within Howard County, MD; buyer's primary residence.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen permitted by HUD HOME / CDBG rules
  • Property in Howard County, MD; buyer's primary residence. DreamMaker tier targets moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Maximum household income approximately $90,684 (1-person) to $171,005 (8-person). Maximum purchase price $644,756. Minimum buyer contribution $1,000. 8-hour homebuyer-education class required. Loan is 0% interest, deferred until sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status.
  • A home in Howard County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $644,756 price cap
  • Households above 100% of area median income
  • Homes outside Howard 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

100% of Howard 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.

$134,000
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Howard County’s homes

  • 50.1% single-family
  • 22.4% townhouse
  • 1.8% 2–4 units
  • 24.9% 5+ units
  • 0.9% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$597,900

Howard County median home value

29%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Howard County

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Howard County; 8-hour homebuyer-education certificate required..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served via Howard County DCS; subject to annual HUD HOME / CDBG / County funding., and are subject to availability.

  3. 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 SDLP - DreamMaker Loan?

SDLP - DreamMaker Loan is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Howard County, Maryland. The DreamMaker Loan is the moderate-income tier of Howard County's Settlement Downpayment Loan Program (SDLP). Provides up to $20,000 in 0% interest deferred-payment second-mortgage assistance to moderate-income first-time homebuyers purchasing in Howard County, MD. Administered by the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development. DreamMaker tier of Howard County's Settlement Downpayment Loan Program (SDLP). Up to $20,000 in 0% interest deferred-payment second-mortgage assistance for moderate-income first-time homebuyers purchasing primary residences in Howard County. Maximum purchase price $644,756. Funding comes from HOME, CDBG, Federal, and Local Government.

Do you have to pay it back?

SDLP - DreamMaker Loan 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 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?

SDLP - DreamMaker Loan 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; underwriting per first-mortgage product. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Howard County; 8-hour homebuyer-education certificate required. Residency requirement: Property within Howard County, MD; buyer's primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen permitted by HUD HOME / CDBG rules. Property in Howard County, MD; buyer's primary residence. DreamMaker tier targets moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Maximum household income approximately $90,684 (1-person) to $171,005 (8-person). Maximum purchase price $644,756. Minimum buyer contribution $1,000. 8-hour homebuyer-education class required. Loan is 0% interest, deferred until sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status.

What are the income limits?

SDLP - DreamMaker Loan limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. DreamMaker tier: household income approximately $90,684 (1-person) to $171,005 (8-person) - moderate-income tier of SDLP. 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?

SDLP - DreamMaker Loan caps the purchase price at $644,756. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhouse, and Condominium. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

SDLP - DreamMaker Loan serves homebuyers purchasing in Howard County, Maryland.

How do you apply?

Applications for SDLP - DreamMaker Loan 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 via Howard County DCS; subject to annual HUD HOME / CDBG / County funding. 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 Howard County homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 80 programs for Howard County

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.