Less than most buyers think. Depending on your loan type, you may need as little as 0-3.5% down, plus closing costs of roughly 2-5% of the purchase price. Don't forget taxes: here's how St. Mary's County property taxes work.
Buying a Home in St. Mary's, Charles & Calvert County
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. Whether you're purchasing your first home in St. Mary's County, relocating for military orders, or upgrading to your next home in Charles or Calvert County, I provide local market expertise, honest advice, and personalized guidance so you can buy a home in Southern Maryland with confidence.
- First-Time Buyers
- Military & PCS Relocation
- Move-Up Buyers
- Downsizing
- Investment Properties
PCS Orders to NAS Patuxent River?
BAH, on-base vs. off-base, VA loans, and neighborhood picks, all in one guide.
Let's Find Your Perfect Home
✓ Local Southern Maryland expert ✓ Responsive communication ✓ Skilled negotiator ✓ Backed by The Riley Team at Deep Roots Real Estate
The Buying Process
Discover Your Goals
We talk through your goals, budget, and timeline.
Find the Right Home
I help you find homes that match what matters most to you.
Make a Competitive Offer
Strong negotiation to get you the best possible terms.
Closing
I guide you through inspections, financing, and closing day.
Why Buyers Choose Nicole
As part of The Riley Team at Deep Roots Real Estate, buyers working with me get a local Southern Maryland Realtor® backed by a full team's resources and negotiation experience.
101%
Avg. list-to-sale price*
12.9M+
Social media reach*
89K+
TikTok followers*
Riley Team
at Deep Roots Real Estate
*The Riley Team results, reported across the team's marketing channels.
Popular Communities
Homes for sale across Southern Maryland, explore towns and counties throughout St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert County.
Home Buyer FAQ
FHA loans can work with scores in the 580-620 range, while conventional loans typically look for 620 or higher for the best terms.
Once you're under contract, most closings take 30-60 days. The search itself varies, some buyers find the right home in a few weekends, others take a few months.
Yes, always. Pre-approval tells you what you can afford, strengthens your offer, and can uncover issues early enough to fix them before you're competing for a home.
Plan for roughly 2-5% of the purchase price, covering loan fees, title insurance, appraisal, and prepaid taxes and insurance. Seller concessions can sometimes help cover part of this. Here are St. Mary's County transfer and recordation taxes.
Yes. VA loans offer eligible military buyers 0% down, FHA loans require as little as 3.5% down, and some conventional programs allow as little as 3% down.
A buyer's agent can help you evaluate homes, negotiate an offer and work through the purchase. Before touring together, we will review a written buyer agreement covering services and compensation. Agent compensation is negotiable, and any amount you would pay depends on that agreement and the transaction. Do not assume representation will be free.
It depends on your priorities. Lexington Park sits closest to the main gate and is the most affordable; Leonardtown offers a historic, walkable downtown; California, MD has the most shopping and new construction; and Great Mills and Mechanicsville trade a slightly longer commute for more space. See the full PCS guide to St. Mary's County for a neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown. Start by comparing the three Pax River gates.
Start with your financing, monthly budget, moving timeline and how long you expect to own the home. Then compare current listings and recent sales for the specific area you are considering. I can help you review those local conditions and decide what information you still need before making an offer. Weighing a brand-new home? Compare new construction vs. resale in St. Mary's County.
NAR explains written buyer agreements and negotiable compensation.
Ready to Start Your Home Search?
Whether you're buying your first home or your forever home, I'm here to make the process simple, informed, and enjoyable.
Nicole Gantt Real Estate
Deep Roots Real Estate · Southern Maryland Realtor
MD License #501-7759
Equal Housing Opportunity
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