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Baltimore · MarylandMortgage lender in Baltimore City, MD
Yes. Stellar Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #2190975, is licensed in Maryland and makes purchase and refinance loans in Baltimore City: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo and non-QM. Steve Umansky, NMLS #61764, is our licensed loan officer for Maryland. For 2026 the one-unit conforming loan limit here is $832,750 and the FHA limit is $747,500.
Reviewed by Steve Umansky, Sr. Branch Manager, NMLS #61764,
From Canton to Mount Vernon: what changes locally, what does not, and how to find out in fifteen minutes what you actually qualify for.
Buying in Baltimore City
Baltimore City takes in Canton, Federal Hill, Hampden, Roland Park, Fells Point and Mount Vernon. Baltimore City files are handled personally by Steve Umansky, Sr. Branch Manager, NMLS #61764, who is licensed in Maryland, from our Southampton, PA office.
- 2026 conforming limit
- $832,750
- 2026 FHA limit
- $747,500 (one-unit, set by HUD)
- Above that
- Jumbo pricing
- Closing handled by
- title company or attorney
- State housing agency
- Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland DHCD) (not a participating lender)
- Your officer
- Steve Umansky, NMLS #61764
2026 limits for a one-unit property. Baltimore City is not designated a high-cost area for conforming loans. Sources: FHFA conforming loan limit values and HUD FHA mortgage limits.
The 2026 baseline conforming limit is $832,750 nationally, and that is the figure that applies in Baltimore City. Loans above it are jumbo, which means tighter reserves and different pricing.
Baltimore City: rowhomes, ground rent and block-by-block pricing
Baltimore is a city of rowhouse neighborhoods, from Canton, Fells Point and Federal Hill around the harbor to Hampden, Charles Village and Roland Park to the north. Values can change sharply from one block to the next, which makes the choice of comparable sales in the appraisal matter more than in the suburbs.
Three things come up on city files. Many rowhomes carry ground rent, a lease on the land under the house, which the title work has to find and the lender has to count. Most homes were built before 1978, so FHA and VA appraisals look closely at paint and overall condition, and recently renovated resales can trigger extra FHA appraisal requirements. Baltimore City also runs its own homebuyer incentive programs, separate from the state’s; check with the city’s housing department for what is funded now.
Baltimore City by the numbers
- Median home value
- $229,600 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024, table B25077)
- Typical property tax
- About 1.46% of home value a year: median tax bill $3,354 on a median value of $229,600 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024, table B25103)
- Transfer tax
- State transfer tax of 0.5% of the price; county recordation tax is separate and varies (Maryland Code, Tax-Property § 13-203)
The county median home value is $229,600. The 2026 one-unit conforming loan limit here is $832,750 and the FHA limit is $747,500.
Census figures are survey estimates for owner-occupied homes, not appraisals or tax quotes. We use the actual tax bill for the property when we quote.
Closing and programs in Maryland
Closings in Maryland are typically handled by a title company or attorney. The closing process, state transfer and recording taxes and first-time buyer programs are covered on the Maryland page. Property taxes are set locally; we take the figure from the tax record for the address.
Questions Baltimore City buyers ask
Does Stellar Mortgage lend in Baltimore City, MD?
Yes. Stellar Mortgage Corporation is licensed in Maryland and lends throughout Maryland, including the City of Baltimore City. Steve Umansky, NMLS #61764, is our licensed originator for Maryland and works Maryland files from our Southampton, PA office.
What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Baltimore City?
For 2026 the one-unit conforming limit in Baltimore City is $832,750, the FHFA baseline. Loans above that are jumbo, which brings tighter reserve and credit requirements. FHA limits are set separately by HUD and are usually lower; we check both for the property address before quoting.
Is there down payment assistance for first-time buyers in Baltimore City?
Maryland's housing agency, Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland DHCD), runs the state's bond and assistance programs. Stellar is not currently a participating lender for those, and we say so up front. What we offer Baltimore City first-time buyers: conventional loans with low down payment options for qualifying buyers, FHA loans with a low down payment, VA loans with little or no money down for eligible service members and veterans, and USDA financing with little or no money down where the address qualifies. Sellers can contribute to closing costs, and gift funds from family are allowed. If an agency program is the better fit for you, we will tell you.
How fast can I get pre-approved to buy in Baltimore City?
Once we have your application, credit, and the documents on our checklist, most buyers have a letter within one to two business days. If you have already found a home in Canton or anywhere else in Baltimore City and are writing an offer, tell us on the form and we prioritize the file.
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Baltimore City?
For 2026 the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Baltimore City is $747,500, set by HUD. The conforming loan limit is $832,750. Limits for two- to four-unit properties are higher.
Who pays the transfer tax in Baltimore City?
The state transfer tax is 0.5 percent of the price. For a first-time Maryland home buyer purchasing a principal residence it is 0.25 percent and must be paid by the seller. County recordation tax is separate and varies; the rest is divided as the contract says.
Conforming limit shown is the 2026 FHFA figure for Baltimore City. FHA limits and state agency caps are set by HUD and Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland DHCD) and change periodically. Verify on the official source. Not a commitment to lend.
Get pre-approved in Baltimore City
Three quick steps, about a minute. No Social Security number, no pay stubs. Steve calls you back, usually the same business day.
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“You were always professional, responsive, patient, and helpful, and you made what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and easy.”Yelda A., North Wales, PA · verified review on Experience.com
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