I am curious if anyone has experience with investing in rowhomes or single family homes in Baltimore city? Are public auctions a good means of acquiring such investment properties? Alex Cooper auctions are one that rings a bell, big in Baltimore. If not auction, is it best to search for foreclosures online or would going through the city SCOPE program be better?

What are the best areas to invest in currently? Hampden? West Baltimore?

I have a strong curiosity to learn more about investing in general, but particularly in Baltimore county and city.

Thanks in advance!

Have you tried Re-map.com? I looked up Baltimore and it looks like the 21206 zipcode area is very hot. Check it out, it's like having stock market investment tools for real estate.

Ouch $30 a month. I'm hesitant to try it just yet. So it is saying that 21206 has one of the highest rising RE values in the city? Thanks!

No problem. The nice thing about it is you can keep an eye on your investment and get reminders of when the market is starting to cool off in your area. 21206 was just one hot Market in MD that's been going up at about 35% in the last year. Re-Map laid out about 4 or 5 other places in the state that were doing even better. That website definately helps narrow down the search.

Hi-I am an investor from baltimore-look at the east-side-big money going into there. Also, check southern PA-cash flows are a lot better up there.

If you need a loan person-check out my wife: www.pattishawgo.com

sorry, she is my wife though:) love you honey...

D

I own an investment rowhouse in the Federal Hill section of Baltimore City. Bought it last March, rented it almost immediately for $1450/ month through advertising on craigslist-it is a small 2 bed, 1 bath house. Go figure. My business partner owns a 2nd rowhouse in the Butchers Hill section of Baltimore City.

Both properties were found w/ a realtor and a TON of pounding pavement.

Check out Locust Point, seems like development is just starting to move that direction.

Big warning-watch out for the property taxes-they are ridiculously high (and re-assessments just went out). Good luck!

Thanks a lot. I am very familiar with craigslist and have just recently (in the past 6 months) seen how drastically rental prices have risen in Federal Hill and Fells Point. Its amazing what people will pay. I admit I need to look into taxes a bit more. Thanks for the help!

Katie,

Also, do you think it is possible to find a quality/recently rehabbed place in Fed Hill/Locust Point for under $275k? Is this possible or am I really dreaming here?

I recently saw a rehab in Federal Hill for $299,000 (on Patapsco Street by Cross St Market). Locust Point is going to be even cheaper than that. And the Riverside Park area is good, too (just don't let them convice you that it is Federal Hill...).

I've been keeping my eyes open-seems like things are slowing down in Baltimore (as everywhere else). I think if you look hard enough, you shouln't have a problem finding a good property for $275,000. Some homeowners/ developers are unrealistic in their asking prices. Make an offer-you never know what might be accepted...