The State of Maryland provides a credit to first-time home buyers at the time of purchase by exempting them from paying the buyer’s portion of the State transfer tax, which is .25% of the sales price. The State transfer tax is .5% total, typically split 50-50 between the buyer and seller. The State of Maryland waives the buyer portion of .25% for first-time Maryland home buyers.
A Maryland first-time home buyer is defined as someone who has NEVER owned a home in the State of Maryland. If more than one person is purchasing the home, all parties must be considered first-time Maryland home buyers in order to qualify. If one of the parties has previously owned property in Maryland, then the credit does not apply.
