Excellent advice by all the ladies above. Please be careful who you go to. Petfinder has so many wonderful wonderful Maltese in need of loving home. And there are actually Maltese Resuce organizations, that the dogs are actually in someone's home now being fostered and they can give you a pretty good idea about the dogs, tempermant and health and so many other things.
The prices upfront from a reputable breeder, may seem a bit high up front, but it is my belief, that so much goes into proper breeding, these breeders know their lines, their health lines, tempermant, and put so much time and cost into what they do. They don't breed to make money, they do it out of love for the breed. Also, they know their health lines so well, and you can save a great deal of money down the line, in vet cost because you greatly lower your risk of health issues by going to a true reputable breeder.
You don't want to go to people, who have no idea about the pups background or their parents background, and/or they are simply just breeding their pets. Sadly, I have done that everytime, because I didn't fully understand, and I had two pass at a very early age. One at age 7 and one at age 8.
You can google Maltese Rescues and you will come up with the different agencys that foster these precious ones, and they know all about any health issues, and have taken so much time with the dogs, they've been to the vet and all.
Please stick around the folks on here are so helpful.
I am excited for you and hoping for the very best.
WELCOME!!!!! It is an amazing forum and I have learned so much from being on here.