ARM vs. Fixed-Rate Mortgage in Bethesda, MD: Which Makes Sense in 2026?
TL;DR In Maryland right now (May 2026), a 5/1 ARM is priced around 6.24% while the 30-year fixed sits near 6.49% — a spread of…
Category: Buying
How Assumable Mortgages Work for Bethesda Buyers (2026)
TL;DRAn assumable mortgage lets you take over a seller's existing FHA or VA loan — including their lower interest rate. With Maryland's 30-year fixed rate…
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…
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 Homestead Tax Credit: What Bethesda Buyers Need to Know After Closing
TL;DRThe Maryland Homestead Tax Credit limits how much your property tax assessment can increase each year — capped at 10% in Montgomery County. Every owner-occupant…
How to Avoid PMI When Buying a Home in Bethesda, MD
TL;DRPrivate mortgage insurance (PMI) is required on conventional loans when you put less than 20% down. In Bethesda’s market, where 20% means $240,000 or more,…
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…