🏡 How to Buy a Home in Maryland (2025): A Step-by-Step Guide for Real People
- Kat Moore — The German Realtor®
- Aug 9
- 2 min read
📦So... you’ve decided to buy a home in Maryland. First of all: congratulations! 🎉Second of all: deep breath. Buying a home in 2025 is a little like dating—there are options, some look great online but are terrifying in person, and the right one is usually hiding in the last place you expected.
Let’s make it simple. Here’s your no-fluff, no-bank-speak guide to buying a home in Maryland — whether it’s your first or fifth time.
🪜 Step-by-Step: Homebuying in Maryland
Step 1: Get Your Budget Together
No judgment here — just clarity. Look at your income, debts, savings, and yes, the price of oat milk lattes.
💡 Pro tip: A lender can help you figure out what you can afford before you fall in love with a home that’s out of reach. (Been there. Regret it.)
Step 2: Get Pre-Approved
This is like having your boarding pass at the airport — it doesn’t get you a house, but no one will take you seriously without it.
Ask your lender for a pre-approval letter, not just a pre-qual. It shows sellers you're ready to go.
Step 3: Let’s Talk Wishlist vs. Reality
You want a farmhouse with a wraparound porch and a waterfall in the backyard? Love it. But let’s also look at what’s realistic in today’s Maryland market.
We’ll break your list down into:
Must-haves (e.g., 3 bedrooms, no haunted basements)
Nice-to-haves (e.g., office space, fenced yard)
Absolutely-not (e.g., 3-hour commute to civilization)
Step 4: Start the Hunt
This is the fun part… for about 5 houses. After that, it gets real. I’ll help you stay focused, honest about what works, and far away from listings with misleading wide-angle photos.
I also know where to look — including off-market options, upcoming listings, and homes perfect for military families, first-time buyers, or those relocating from Germany.
Step 5: Make an Offer
We’ll go over the market, craft a smart, competitive offer, and negotiate on your behalf. Sometimes we win on price, sometimes on terms. Either way, we play it strategically.
Step 6: Inspections, Appraisal & Paperwork (Oh My!)
Don’t worry — I’ve got checklists for all of this. Home inspection? ✅Appraisal? ✅Sudden panic over what "title insurance" means? ✅ That’s what I’m here for.
Step 7: Closing Day! 🎉
You’ll sign a lot of papers, take a deep breath, and get the keys to your new home. Then it’s time to celebrate. (And maybe paint.)
🎯 Bonus: Maryland-Specific Perks
Maryland has great down payment programs, especially for first-time buyers (https://mmp.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx). Ask me if you need help!
We’re close to military bases, D.C., the bay, and authentic crabcakes — what's not to love?
💬 Want a personalized step-by-step for your situation?Send me a message. I’ll give you the honest advice I’d give my own family — and I’ll explain the fine print without sounding like a robot.
Kat Moore|Realtor|Advisor
Samson Properties
📞 410-414-5967 (c), 443-975-7555 (o)
Comments