First-Time Homebuyer Guide · Baltimore City

Stop Renting.
Start Owning.

Up to $10,000 in free grants are available right now for first-time buyers in Baltimore City zip codes 21231, 21224, and 21230. Don't leave money on the table.

Programs are currently open — limited funds available
See What You Qualify For
No cost to apply
FHA & conventional friendly
620+ credit score
$10K+
in buyer
grants
21231 — FELLS POINT 21224 — HIGHLANDTOWN 21230 — FEDERAL HILL BALTIMORE CITY FIRST-TIME BUYERS 21231 — FELLS POINT 21224 — HIGHLANDTOWN 21230 — FEDERAL HILL BALTIMORE CITY FIRST-TIME BUYERS
Explore by Zip Code

Find Your Neighborhood

Three zip codes. Three distinct lifestyles. All with remarkable value for first-time buyers ready to put down roots in Baltimore City.

ZIP 21231

Fells Point & Canton

One of Baltimore's most iconic waterfront communities blending 18th-century cobblestone charm with a lively bar and restaurant scene. Fells Point's historic square is a gathering point for locals, while Canton's Patterson Park creates a beloved green anchor for the neighborhood.

Classic Baltimore rowhouses, walkability, and a strong sense of community make 21231 a smart long-term investment for first-time buyers.

Fells Point
Canton
Upper Fells Point
Butchers Hill
🚢 Waterfront access
🌳 Patterson Park
🍽️ Top restaurant scene
🚶 Highly walkable
Median Price Range
$295K – $450K
Avg / SqFt
~$215
Fells Point
Fells Point Waterfront — ZIP 21231
ZIP 21224

Highlandtown & Brewers Hill

Baltimore's creative heart — a vibrant, multicultural community with deep Eastern European roots and a thriving arts scene. The Avenue in Highlandtown buzzes with murals, galleries, and independent restaurants.

This zip offers some of Baltimore's best value for first-time buyers: affordable entry prices, improving infrastructure, and a passionate community of long-term residents and new arrivals alike.

Highlandtown
Brewers Hill
O'Donnell Heights
Greektown
🎨 Arts district
🍺 Brewers Hill scene
💰 Best entry prices
🌍 Diverse community
Median Price Range
$210K – $380K
Avg / SqFt
~$175
Brewers Hill
Brewers Hill — ZIP 21224
ZIP 21230

Federal Hill & Locust Point

Federal Hill sits atop a dramatic bluff overlooking the Inner Harbor, offering some of the most stunning views in the city. Its tree-lined streets are packed with beautifully restored Federal-period rowhouses, boutiques, and acclaimed restaurants.

Locust Point — a tight-knit waterfront community steps from the Under Armour campus — adds a small-town feel to this highly coveted zip code.

Federal Hill
Locust Point
South Baltimore
Riverside
🌆 Harbor views
🏪 Cross Street Market
📈 Strong appreciation
🚤 Waterfront lifestyle
Median Price Range
$320K – $520K
Avg / SqFt
~$235
Federal Hill
Federal Hill Park — ZIP 21230
Money & Mortgages

Stack Your Financing

Baltimore City and Maryland offer some of the strongest first-time buyer programs on the East Coast — and many can be combined.

Maryland SmartBuy 3.0

Buy a home and Maryland pays off up to $30,000 of your student loans at closing. A game-changer for millennial buyers.

  • Up to $30,000 student debt payoff
  • ✦ Competitive below-market rates
  • ✦ Must have outstanding student debt
  • ✦ 30-year fixed rate mortgage
  • ✦ Can stack with other programs
Maryland SmartBuy →

Maryland Mortgage Program

The state's primary homeownership program offering below-market interest rates with optional down payment assistance.

  • Below-market fixed rates
  • $5,000 Partner Match DPA
  • ✦ FHA, VA, USDA & conventional
  • ✦ Free homebuyer education included
  • ✦ No first-time req. in some areas
Maryland Mortgage Program →

FHA Loan

Federally backed loans popular with first-time buyers — lower credit score requirements and smaller down payments.

  • 3.5% down with 580+ credit score
  • ✦ 10% down with 500–579 score
  • ✦ Gift funds allowed for down payment
  • ✦ Stackable with city & state grants
  • ✦ Mortgage insurance required
FHA Loan Info →

Vacants to Value Booster

Purchase a vacant Baltimore City property and receive a cash incentive for rehabilitation — revitalize a block and get rewarded.

  • $10,000 settlement expense grant
  • ✦ City-owned vacant properties
  • ✦ Targeted Baltimore neighborhoods
  • ✦ Rehab & occupy within 18 months
  • ✦ Combinable with other incentives
Baltimore DHCD →

HomeReady / Home Possible

Conventional loans from Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac built for low-to-moderate income first-time buyers. Lower MI than FHA.

  • 3% down payment minimum
  • ✦ Reduced mortgage insurance vs. FHA
  • ✦ 620+ credit score typically required
  • ✦ Count rental or boarder income
  • ✦ Free homebuyer education included
Fannie Mae HomeReady →
Your City Resource

Powered by
Live Baltimore

Live Baltimore is the city's official nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with their perfect neighborhood. Think of them as your free, unbiased guide — from first search to move-in day.

🏘️

Neighborhood Finder

Answer a few questions and get matched to your ideal Baltimore neighborhood.

💰

Incentive Finder

Search all available grants and programs you may qualify for.

📅

Free Workshops

Homebuying events, expos, and neighborhood tours throughout the year.

📋

Moving Checklist

Step-by-step guidance from first search to move-in day.

Visit Live Baltimore →
Baltimore Inner Harbor
30,000+
People helped to call
Baltimore home
Getting Started

Four Steps to Your Front Door

Break the process into manageable steps — and begin well before you start touring homes.

01

Check Your Credit & Budget

Pull your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Know your score and monthly budget before approaching lenders — most Baltimore programs require a 620+ score.

02

Get Pre-Approved

Work with a lender familiar with Maryland and Baltimore City programs. Pre-approval shows sellers you're serious and locks in your rate for 60–90 days.

03

Take a Homebuyer Class

Required for most assistance programs, the free HUD-approved class teaches everything from mortgages to maintenance. Live Baltimore hosts them regularly.

04

Find Your Neighborhood

Use Live Baltimore's Neighborhood Finder, attend open houses, and spend weekends in 21231, 21224, and 21230 to find your community.

Ready to call
Baltimore home?

The resources are here. The neighborhoods are waiting. The only move left is yours.

Visit Live Baltimore Maryland Mortgage Program Baltimore City DHCD Find All Incentives →