Cash Offer vs. Financed Offer in Bethesda, MD
TL;DRIn Bethesda’s competitive market — where homes sell at a median $1.2 million and cash buyers are a real factor — sellers regularly face the…
Category: Buying
Can You Buy a Home in Maryland with Student Loan Debt?
TL;DRYes, you can buy a home in Maryland with student loan debt — and the state has a program that actually pays off up to…
Do You Need a Jumbo Loan to Buy in Bethesda, MD? (2026 Loan Limits Explained)
TL;DRIn Montgomery County, the 2026 conforming loan limit is $1,249,125 — one of the highest in the country. Because Bethesda's median sale price is around…
Maryland Transfer Tax & Recordation Tax: Who Pays What?
Maryland Transfer Tax & Recordation Tax: Who Pays What?Who pays transfer tax and recordation tax in Maryland?In Maryland, the state transfer tax (0.5%) and county…
Should You Ask for a Seller Concession When Buying in Bethesda, MD?
TL;DRYes, you can ask a seller to cover part of your closing costs in Maryland — and in Bethesda's $700K–$2M price range, that can mean…
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Home in Maryland?
TL;DRIn Maryland, the minimum credit score to get a conventional mortgage is 620, while FHA loans require 580. But most buyers in Bethesda and the…
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage in Bethesda: Which Is Right for You?
TL;DRIn Bethesda, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate is currently 5.856% versus 6.911% for a 30-year loan. On an $800,000 loan, the 15-year saves approximately $695,000…
Title Insurance in Maryland: What Buyers and Sellers Pay
TL;DRIn Maryland, buyers pay for the lender's title insurance policy (required if you have a mortgage), while sellers traditionally cover the owner's policy — though…
What Bethesda Buyers Need to Know About HOA Disclosures
TL;DRIf you're buying a townhome or condo in Bethesda, Maryland law requires the seller to provide a full HOA resale package before closing — covering…
How to Buy Before You Sell in Bethesda, MD: Bridge Loans vs. Sale Contingencies
TL;DRMove-up buyers in Bethesda have two real options: a bridge loan (borrow against your current home's equity at 8–11% APR, with total costs typically running…