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Baltimore-Washington corridor · MarylandMortgage lender in Howard County, MD
Yes. Stellar Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #2190975, is licensed in Maryland and makes purchase and refinance loans in Howard County: 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 Ellicott City to Laurel area: what changes locally, what does not, and how to find out in fifteen minutes what you actually qualify for.
Buying in Howard County
Howard County, with its county seat in Ellicott City, takes in Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Clarksville and Laurel area. Howard County 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. Howard County 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 Howard County. Loans above it are jumbo, which means tighter reserves and different pricing.
Howard County: Columbia and Ellicott City
Howard County lies between Baltimore and Washington. Columbia, a planned community, is its center; Ellicott City is the county seat; Elkridge and North Laurel follow the Route 1 and Interstate 95 corridor; Clarksville and Fulton are the newer western suburbs; and beyond them, around Glenwood and Lisbon, the county is rural.
Most Columbia properties pay an annual charge to the Columbia Association, and many are also in a village or condominium association, so we collect all of the dues for the payment. Townhomes and condominiums are a large share of the market, and a condominium means the project is reviewed as well as the buyer. Historic Ellicott City along the Patapsco has flooded more than once, so we check the flood determination there first. In the western county, wells and septic systems are standard.
Howard County by the numbers
- Median home value
- $597,900 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024, table B25077)
- Typical property tax
- About 1.17% of home value a year: median tax bill $6,987 on a median value of $597,900 (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)
- Largest communities
- Columbia, Ellicott City, Ilchester, Elkridge (Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024, table B01003)
The county median home value is $597,900. 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 Howard County buyers ask
Does Stellar Mortgage lend in Howard County, MD?
Yes. Stellar Mortgage Corporation is licensed in Maryland and lends throughout Maryland, including Howard County. 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 Howard County?
For 2026 the one-unit conforming limit in Howard County 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 Howard County?
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 Howard County 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 Howard County?
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 Columbia or anywhere else in Howard County and are writing an offer, tell us on the form and we prioritize the file.
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Howard County?
For 2026 the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Howard County 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 Howard County?
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 Howard County. 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 Howard County
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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