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Salute ME — Half a Point Off the First Home Loan Rate

MaineHousing discounts its First Home Loan 30-year fixed rate by 0.50% for someone on active duty or honorably discharged who served 180 days on active duty or in a war zone — qualifying National Guard members included. Salute ME is for first-time buyers; SALUTE HOME AGAIN waives that requirement, which is the part most people do not know exists. It combines with $5,000 toward the down payment and closing costs if you take the hoMEworks homebuyer class.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

MaineHousing discounts its First Home Loan 30-year fixed rate by 0.50% for someone on active duty or honorably discharged who served 180 days on active duty or in a war zone — qualifying National Guard members included. Salute ME is for first-time buyers; SALUTE HOME AGAIN waives that requirement, which is the part most people do not know exists. It combines with $5,000 toward the down payment and closing costs if you take the hoMEworks homebuyer class.

What it's worth: 0.50% off the First Home Loan 30-year fixed rate, plus $5,000 toward costs

  • The discount is 0.50% off MaineHousing's First Home Loan 30-year fixed rate. Over thirty years that is a substantial sum.
  • As at August 2026 the Salute ME rate with Advantage was 5.075%. Rates move; treat that as a datum, not a quote.
  • SALUTE ME is for first-time buyers. SALUTE HOME AGAIN waives the first-time requirement — that is a separate product and the one most people do not know exists.
  • The service test is 180 days on active duty, or service in a war zone. Qualifying National Guard members are included.
  • It combines with the $5,000 Advantage toward down payment and closing costs, conditional on taking the hoMEworks homebuyer class.
  • It runs through MaineHousing-approved lenders rather than through the authority directly.
  • There is no disability requirement.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You were honorably discharged.
  • You are buying in Maine.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Go to a MaineHousing approved lender. The rate discount is not available anywhere else.
  2. 2If you have owned a home before, ask for SALUTE HOME AGAIN by name. Salute ME is first-time-buyer only and being told no on that basis does not mean there is nothing for you.
  3. 3Take the hoMEworks homebuyer class — it is the condition for the $5,000 Advantage toward down payment and closing costs.
  4. 4Ask the lender to show the rate with and without the discount so you can see the half point.
  5. 5Guard members: 180 days active duty or war zone service qualifies you.
Form
Through a MaineHousing approved lender
File with
A MaineHousing approved lender
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.