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First-time home buyer programs in California, MD

Quick answer

First-time buyers in California, MD can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 St. Mary's County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 2 verified city, county or statewide assistance programs. On the $337,900 median home, 3% down is about $10,137 and the estimated payment is $2,771/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $112,717; value-to-income ratio 3.00. California ranks 98 by home value and 110 by population among 138 places in our MD dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical California home?

ItemCalifornia
Median home value (Census ACS)$337,900
Maryland median home value$397,700
Down payment (3%)$10,137
Loan amount$327,763
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$2,771
Income needed (28% / 36%)$119,000 / $93,000
St. Mary's County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$832,750
Max purchase price at the limit$858,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes Maryland's 1.00% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,578/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in California?

California is in St. Mary's County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $541,287.

The California median home value of $337,900 is 15% below the Maryland median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can California buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

Lexington ParkCambridgeLa PlataWaldorfBrandywineBensville

First-time buyer loan FAQs for California

On the $337,900 median: 3% conventional ≈ $10,137, 3.5% FHA ≈ $11,827, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in St. Mary's County become jumbo loans.

At the $337,900 median value (below the Maryland median of $397,700), the estimated payment of $2,771/month at 7.18% needs about $119,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $93,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 0 county-level and 2 statewide programs are verified for this city (2 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.