Sale of Residential Property - Taxes and Offers to Purchase (End Hedge Fund Control of Maryland Homes Act of 2025)

HB 1428 (End Hedge Fund Control of Maryland Homes Act of 2025) imposes an excise tax on the acquisition and excess ownership of single-family homes in Maryland by certain entities (like hedge funds), with tax revenue funding a new down payment assistance program. The bill requires sellers to accept offers from individuals, community development organizations, nonprofits, or small real estate businesses during the first 30 days of listing, provided those buyers own less than 3% of residential properties in the county. It also modifies the state transfer tax rate for certain home sales and establishes a dedicated, nonlapsing fund for down payment and settlement expenses. The law directly affects large-scale property owners and home sellers, aiming to increase affordability for first-time buyers through these tax and sales mechanisms.