The city of Baltimore is situated in the north central part of the state of Maryland, about 40 miles northeast of Washington DC. Due to its advantageous location as farther west than any other Atlantic port, shippers have long since preferred doing business in Baltimore; it has been a major commercial port since the 1600’s, and currently more than 30 million tons of cargo comes and goes through its harbors every year. The city of Baltimore was established in 1729, and largely supported Maryland’s agricultural industry. The city had a prominent role in the War of 1812—the successful battle at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry inspired the writing of the United States national anthem. When the war ended, Baltimore began to see major growth due to its trade with the Caribbean Islands and South America, and the development of the railroad that would stretch to Chicago by 1874. The Chesapeake Bay canning industry, as well as shipbuilding and transportation, carried Baltimore’s economy through such hardships as the major fire of 1904 that consumed most of the city’s business district, as well as the Great Depression and WWII. But as people got back on their feet, they got out of town; the suburban areas of Baltimore began to experience major growth, and as a result, urban sprawl drained the city. To counteract this trend, Baltimore began a series of major revitalization projects in the 1970’s that would breathe new life into the abandoned downtown areas.

Today the city’s over 640,000 residents enjoy a bigger, better Baltimore that features a wholly renovated cultural center. Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is the apple of the city’s eye, offering scrumptious dining experiences, unique shopping, museums, an aquarium, and live entertainment venues. At the sports stadiums in Camden Yards, Baltimore residents cheer on their favorite teams—Major League Baseball’s the Baltimore Orioles and Major League Football’s the Baltimore Ravens. All of this is just a fraction of the big picture; Baltimore’s grand future includes more than $1 billion set aside for new development and improvements, such as the “Cleaner Greener Baltimore” initiative that will streamline recycling programs as well as beautify city parks, streets and buildings.

With all of the amazing developments that have taken place within the last 30 years, and will continue to take place well into the future, Baltimore is now more than ever a wonderful place to call home. The city’s real estate market is currently full of housing and investment opportunities for those wishing to relocate to Baltimore. Real estate in Baltimore is comprised of a variety of homes, from city center condominiums to grand estates in one of Baltimore’s 200+ neighborhoods. Some of Baltimore’s most popular neighborhoods are Federal Hill, Charles Village, Fell’s Point, and Hampden. Real estate in these areas ranges in price from $150,000 to well over $1 million, including many waterfront condominiums that feature state-of-the-art luxury amenities. If living in downtown Baltimore is your dream, one type of housing that is becoming trendier is converted loft-style homes and historic single family renovations. As Baltimore’s high-tech industries develop, the abandoned warehouses and factories of prior decades are being turned into fabulous residential areas geared for the dot com generations. These homes can be found at prices that range from $150,000 and $500,000, and if you are a do-it-yourself homebuyer, there are many fixer-upper properties that can be purchased for as little as $5,000. Whether you desire an effort-free urban condominium, a historic renovated row house, or a grand estate away from downtown, Baltimore has what you are looking for. With a city that has so much to offer—a booming cultural center, tight-knit communities, and a healthy real estate market—it is easier than ever to find your next dream home in Baltimore, MD.

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