Must-Knows for MD Buyers and Sellers
By Zach Burnham
May 2025
Thinking about buying or selling a home in Maryland? You’re not alone. The local market is moving fast in 2025. Prices are shifting, loan rules are changing, and new laws may affect your next move. This guide breaks down the must-knows for MD buyers and sellers right now.
Whether you’re ready to list your home or begin house hunting, this blog will help you stay ahead.
Let’s dive into what’s happening now in Harford County—and what it means for you.
🏡 Market Snapshot (May 2025) – Must-knows for MD Buyers and Sellers
Market conditions are always a must-knows for MD buyers and sellers. Harford County remains a popular place to live in Maryland. Here’s what the market looks like this month:
- Median home price: About $424,000
- Homes are taking slightly longer to sell this year than this time last year
- Demand is highest near top schools and commuter routes
- Fewer multiple offer, bidding war situations than recent years
- Over priced homes are sitting longer and requiring multiple price drops. Under priced homes are drawing a lot of action and multiple offers
What this means: Buyers have a bit more room to negotiate and more time to submit offers than recent years but it’s still a majority sellers market in most areas. Make sure you have a good agent that knows how to navigate the market swiftly and strategically.
Sellers, you can still benefit from strong demand as inventory may be trickling up but is still below the level of demand.
💰 Loan Limit Changes in 2025
Loan limits went up across Maryland this year. That’s great news for both buyers and sellers.
Here are the new loan limits for Harford County:
- FHA (Single-Family): $731,400
- VA (All Homes): $806,500
- Conventional (Single-Family): $806,500
Why this matters: Buyers can qualify for higher loan amounts without needing a jumbo loan. This makes it easier to qualify for higher priced homes because jumbo loans require better credit, higher down payments and usually higher interest rates.
For sellers this means more buyers may now qualify for your home.
⚖️ New Maryland Real Estate Laws
There are two major changes all buyers and sellers should know in 2025:
1. Water Quality Testing
- Sellers of homes with private wells MUST allow buyers an opportunity to test the water quality
- Buyers can waive the opportunity to test
- Buyers MUST share results with sellers, regardless if it passes or fail
2. Earnest Money Rule Change
- Buyers now have more protection when canceling a contract
- Sellers have 10 days to dispute a deposit release if the buyer backs out due to a contingency
- If seller does not respond in writing in 10 days the deposit can be returned to the buyer
- Deposits may be returned faster in certain situations
Why this matters: These laws protect both parties, but they also add new steps. Understanding them is part of the must-knows for MD buyers and sellers right now. Your agent should know how to help you navigate these. Feel free to ask them up front how they handle these situations.
📍 Hot Spots & Local Trends
Harford County has many neighborhoods worth watching in 2025. Here’s what’s popular:
- Homes near Jarrettsville, Patterson Mill, and Bel Air school districts are in high demand.
- More buyers are looking for eco-friendly homes with cost saving, energy efficiency upgrades
- Short-term rental rules vary by town. Make sure to check local guidelines before buying a rental property.
- Homes that are in need of work are taking much longer to sell. Homes with recent updates and very little work needed are moving much faster.
- Homes that are lightly staged are attracting more buyers and selling faster
What this means:
Buyers are shopping smarter. They want move-in ready, good schools, and cost saving features. Sellers who can offer these stand out. If you have a home that fits these trends and have considered selling recently this may be the opportune time!
🧭 What All This Means for You
Here’s how to take action based on today’s market:
If You’re Buying:
- Get pre-approved with updated 2025 loan limits.
- Ask your agent about new laws and paperwork.
- Budget for inspections and possible well testing.
If You’re Selling:
- Highlight any energy and cost saving upgrades in your home.
- Be ready for well water quality tests.
- Consider updating or replacing outdated fixtures and utilities to put less work on buyers.
- Talk to your agent about pricing strategies—buyers are still out there!
Remember, these are the must-knows for MD buyers and sellers right now—and staying informed gives you the upper hand.
📞 Ready to Take the Next Step?
Want 1-on-1 advice and strategy tailored to your specific situation and needs? Or not sure where to start? Reach out to me, we can walk through your situation, explore your options and discover what strategies will work best to accomplish your goals or needs.
Contact me today for a no-pressure consultation, and let’s talk about your real estate goals. No committing, just consulting.
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