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Prototype · sample data

Prototype of a planned home-buying brokerage for the 50 largest U.S. cities. Not a licensed brokerage in any state, and no brokerage services are offered. Listings, people and companies are sample data; market statistics are real public data, cited where shown.

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Trends · Maryland

House prices and costs in Baltimore, MD

How house prices moved across 23 Baltimore ZIP codes, what buyers here borrowed and paid, what's new and how buying works in Maryland. Public data, with sources and dates. Past change, not a forecast.

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro house prices +2.0% in the year to 2026 Q2 (FHFA, purchases)

7.03% is Freddie Mac's average 30-year fixed rate for the week of Sep 24, 2026, for buyers with 20% down and excellent credit. It isn't an offer or an APR.

How house prices moved in Baltimore, 2022–2025

Of 22 ZIPs with enough data, 17 rose 7% or more, 0 fell 7% or more and 3 moved less (no clear change); 2 swung too much from year to year to rank. Past rankings are a weak guide: of the ZIPs in their city's top 3 for 2019–2022, 25 of 134 (about 1 in 5) were top 3 again for 2022–2025; chance alone would give about 21. Past change, not a forecast.

FHFA's experimental ZIP house price index: houses with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans, from sales and refinance appraisals. Condos, co-ops and multi-unit buildings aren't in it. Tap a ZIP to see it on the map.

Largest house-price rises, 2022–2025

3-year change of the ZIP index; ZIPs with an index every year, 5,000+ residents and 1,000+ owner-occupied homes. Left out as too jumpy: a ZIP whose index rose 7% or more in one year and fell as much in another. Each year's change below.

  1. 1ZIP 212252023 +6.1% · 2024 +7.7% · 2025 +6.4%+21.6%
  2. 2ZIP 21210 · includes Roland Park2023 +5.9% · 2024 +8.7% · 2025 +1.5%+16.8%
  3. 3ZIP 212172023 +13.1% · 2024 -5.0% · 2025 +8.5%+16.6%
  4. 4ZIP 212062023 +4.2% · 2024 +5.7% · 2025 +5.8%+16.5%
  5. 5ZIP 212392023 +3.4% · 2024 +11.9% · 2025 +0.6%+16.4%

Largest house-price falls, 2022–2025

3-year change of the ZIP index; ZIPs with an index every year, 5,000+ residents and 1,000+ owner-occupied homes. Left out as too jumpy: a ZIP whose index rose 7% or more in one year and fell as much in another. Each year's change below.

No Baltimore ZIP's house prices fell 7% or more from 2022 to 2025.

Lowest owner-reported values

Median value owners report (Census ACS 2020–2024). Left out: ZIPs under 1,000 residents, less reliable estimates, and ZIPs where most owners live in condos or co-ops.

  1. 1ZIP 21223± $13K · ≈ $920/mo housing payment (est.) on a house, 20% down$111K
  2. 2ZIP 21216± $21K · ≈ $1,192/mo housing payment (est.) on a house, 20% down$148K
  3. 3ZIP 21213± $13K · ≈ $1,245/mo housing payment (est.) on a house, 20% down$155K
  4. 4ZIP 21217± $17K · ≈ $1,428/mo housing payment (est.) on a house, 20% down$180K
  5. 5ZIP 21215± $10K · ≈ $1,582/mo housing payment (est.) on a house, 20% down$201K

Population grew most

Residents, 2015–2019 to 2020–2024 (Census ACS): only changes larger than the margin of error, in ZIPs with 1,000+ residents.

No Baltimore ZIP's population grew by more than its margin of error.

Public loan records · 2025

What buyers here actually borrowed and paid (2025)

2025 home-purchase loans (first liens) on owner-occupied 1–4 unit homes in Baltimore's census tracts: 4,682 loans. These are loans that closed in Baltimore, not offers: a rate depends on your credit, down payment, points and the day you lock it.

Interest rate, 30-year fixed (conventional)
6.375% to 6.875%Middle half of loans; median 6.625% · 2,503 loans
Loan costs at closing
$4,609 to $7,994Middle half; median $5,711. Origination charges (points included) and settlement services, Closing Disclosure section D · 2,647 loans
Borrowed, every loan on the home combined
96.5% of the value (median)Middle half 85% to 100%. 78.2% of buyers borrowed more than 80% of the value, 68.2% more than 90%, 53.6% more than 95%. HMDA's combined loan-to-value: every loan on the home (second loans, down-payment-assistance loans and financed FHA or VA fees too) ÷ the value the lender used, so it doesn't show the cash buyers put down · 4,509 loans
Loan types
Conventional 59.3% · FHA 32.3%VA 8.4% · USDA 0%
Discount points
55.3% of loans paid pointsMedian paid: $2,375. Points buy a lower rate.
Loan limits, 2026
$832,750 conformingAbove it, a jumbo loan with its own rates and rules; FHA limit $747,500 (one-unit home, Baltimore city)

For comparison: 7.03% is Freddie Mac's average 30-year fixed rate for the week of Sep 24, 2026, for buyers with 20% down and excellent credit. It isn't an offer or an APR. Source: FFIEC Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data: 2025 Snapshot National Loan-Level Dataset (data as of June 1, 2026), via the CFPB HMDA Data Browser; Homiy's calculations (2025 loans; retrieved 2026-09-27).

Research · dated and sourced

What's new in Baltimore

Rail openings, zoning changes and big projects from primary sources, newest first. Stars on the map mark the ones with a location. News, not a price forecast.

  1. Zoning change

    Maryland enacts an ADU implementation requirement

    HB1466 took effect with a local ordinance deadline of October 1, 2026. As of September 27, 2026, that deadline has not arrived; check Baltimore’s adopted local implementation before counting an ADU.

    Maryland Planning, Accessory Dwelling Unit implementation
  2. Project

    Frederick Douglass Tunnel early works begin

    Amtrak began early rail work supporting the replacement tunnel program in West Baltimore and Halethorpe. This milestone is construction work, not an opened rail station or an assured completion date.

    Amtrak, Frederick Douglass Tunnel construction contract and milestones

Metro area · public data

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

House prices, year to 2026 Q2
+2.0%FHFA purchase-only index
House prices, 5 years to 2026 Q2
+25.5%FHFA purchase-only index
House prices, 2025
+3.9%All sales and refinances, like the ZIP figures; 2022–2025: +14.5%
New homes permitted
1.8 per 1,000 residents5,093 homes · -17.7% vs a year earlier · Sep 2025–Aug 2026
Jobs, 12 months
-0.5%Aug 2026 (preliminary)
Population, July 2020 to July 2025
+0.4%2,857,781 residents in July 2025 (Census estimates)
Mortgage rate benchmark
7.03%Freddie Mac average, week of Sep 24, 2026

7.03% is Freddie Mac's average 30-year fixed rate for the week of Sep 24, 2026, for buyers with 20% down and excellent credit. It isn't an offer or an APR. New homes permitted is a supply signal: more permits per resident usually means more homes coming to market. Jobs, permits and population cover the whole metro.

Natural hazards, compared with other U.S. counties

  • Baltimore city, MD: expected yearly losses rated very high for winter weather; expected yearly losses rated relatively high for hurricane, heat wave, tornado.
    Other ratings for Baltimore city, MD
    • EarthquakeRelatively Moderate
    • WildfireVery Low
    • Coastal floodingRelatively Moderate
    • Inland floodingRelatively Moderate
    • HailRelatively Moderate

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025: Expected Annual Loss rating of each hazard, by county (NRI December 2025): expected annual losses to buildings, people and agriculture; FEMA's social-vulnerability adjustments aren't included. This describes each county, not this home. Check the address on FEMA's flood map; in a high-risk flood zone, a federally backed loan requires flood insurance.

Sources (11)

Research summary · not legal advice

How buying works in Maryland

The usual steps, deadlines and closing costs for a purchase in Baltimore, from state law, standard contract forms and local custom. Contracts can change any of it. Homiy is a prototype: it isn't a licensed brokerage in Maryland and offers no services here.

Who runs the closing
A title company runs the closing and holds the money. Typical time from contract to keys: about 30 days.
The contract
Your signed offer becomes a binding contract once the seller accepts it.
Details

Maryland REALTORS Residential Contract of Sale; GCAAR regional form where chosen

Buyer agreement
Maryland written buyer brokerage agreement and Understanding Whom Real Estate Agents Represent, signed before touring.
Details

Homiy's prototype requires a written agreement before a represented tour. NAR's rule binds participating MLS brokers; do not describe it as a universal state law. Compensation is negotiable and total brokerage pay cannot exceed the agreement.

Source: NAR: written buyer agreements before touring (MLS participation rule, not a universal state statute) (reviewed 2026-09-27)

Inspection
About 10 days for inspections.
Details

Select the correct regional contract and inspection addendum. 10 calendar days is a negotiable sample planning period, not a statutory deadline.

Earnest money
1–3% of the price, due within 3 days, held by: Named title company, broker escrow or settlement attorney.
Details

Sample only: delivery within 3 calendar days and 1–3% earnest money; the signed contract controls. Buyer delivery is distinct from the holder's statutory deposit deadline.

Seller's disclosure
Maryland Residential Property Disclosure and Disclaimer Statement You may cancel within 5 days in some cases: Statement not received on/before contract: written rescission before receipt or within 5 days after receipt. Earlier loss can follow the lender's statutory loan-application notice, closing or occupancy; contract waiver is void..
Details

Seller may disclose or disclaim but must disclose actually known latent defects threatening health/safety. Applies to covered 1–4-unit residential transfers; exemptions apply. Timely delivery creates no automatic rescission based on contents.

Source: Maryland Real Property §10-702: disclosure/disclaimer and rescission (reviewed 2026-09-27)

Loan and appraisal
Loan contingency: 21 days (set in the contract).
Details

21-day financing period and the typical closing time are sample planning assumptions, not measured averages or legal rights. Financing and appraisal protection require the signed form/addenda; an appraisal shortfall is not automatically protected.

Title insurance
The buyer customarily pays for the owner's policy.
Details

Payer is a negotiable local custom, not a mandatory charge; obtain a title quote and follow the signed allocation. Filed insurer/rating-bureau rates are not a state-promulgated price.

Property tax for a new owner
Your property tax follows the county's assessed market value. About 2.4% of the price a year is our planning figure for Baltimore; your bill can differ.
Details

SDAT reassesses on a three-year cycle with phased increases; the seller's Homestead credit does not transfer. Estimate the new owner's uncapped taxable assessment rather than the seller's protected tax bill; apply for the credit separately.

Baltimore CITY, not Baltimore County: city$2.248 + state$0.112 per$100 assessment =2.36%, before credits and special-benefits-district surcharges. SDAT phased assessment can differ from price; seller Homestead credit does not transfer. HOA range and lender-title percentage are SAMPLE inputs.

Agent credits to the buyer
Maryland allows an agent to credit part of their pay to the buyer, with the lender's approval.
Details

MREC expressly permits rebates to a transaction party; the arrangement must be written and shown on settlement documents, with lender approval. Not compensation for unlicensed services.

Source: Maryland Real Estate Commission: incentives and rebates (reviewed 2026-09-27)

Closing taxes

Closing taxes in Baltimore, who customarily pays and the rate
TaxCustomarily paid byRate
Maryland state transfer taxSplit 50/500.5% of the priceMaryland Tax–Property §13-203: transfer tax
Baltimore City transfer taxSplit 50/501.5% of the priceBaltimore City: transfer, recordation, yield and property-tax rates
Baltimore City recordation taxSplit 50/501% of the priceBaltimore City: transfer, recordation, yield and property-tax rates
Baltimore City transfer yield taxSplit 50/500.6% of the price above $1,000,000Baltimore City: transfer, recordation, yield and property-tax rates
Baltimore City recordation yield taxSplit 50/500.15% of the price above $1,000,000Baltimore City: transfer, recordation, yield and property-tax rates

Programs and after you buy

Down-payment help
1st Time Advantage (Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland DHCD))Most products come with a 0% deferred second loan for down payment help, for example $6,000 or 3–5% of the first mortgage.Official page, checked 2026-09-28.Maryland's housing finance agency runs it; the program decides who qualifies and for how much.
Down-payment help in Baltimore
Homeownership Incentives (Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development)City incentives such as the First-Time Homebuyers Incentive; most is given as loans forgiven after five years in the home, and you need a homeownership class and $1,000 of your own money.Official page, checked 2026-09-28.
Homestead exemption
Maryland Homestead Property Tax Credit Program (Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT))The homestead credit limits the assessment increase you pay tax on; new purchasers are mailed a one-time application once the deed is recorded, or can apply online.Official page, checked 2026-09-28.
If you disagree with your assessment
Assessment Appeal Process (Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT))You can appeal on receiving an assessment notice, by a petition for review, or after buying a property between January 1 and June 30.When: 45 days after an assessment noticeOfficial page, checked 2026-09-28.
After you buy: alerts on your deed
We found no county alert service for documents recorded on your home. Where we looked: the Circuit Court for Baltimore City's Land Records & Licenses Division page, the Maryland Insurance Administration's deed-fraud advisory (it points owners to checking MDLandRec.net, not to an alert) and web searches.Checked 2026-09-28.
Sources (9)

Methodology

How we measure, and what it isn't

Past change, not a forecast. These figures describe the past from public data; they don't tell you where prices go next.

House prices by ZIP, and the rankings

FHFA's experimental ZIP house price index: houses with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans, from sales and refinance appraisals. Condos, co-ops and multi-unit buildings aren't in it. It's built from repeat sales and refinance appraisals of the same homes, not average sale prices, and FHFA publishes no margin of error for it. We rank ZIPs by the change over the last 3 years, only where FHFA published the index in every one of them, and only ZIPs with 5,000+ residents and 1,000+ owner-occupied homes. A change smaller than 7% either way is “no clear change”: in our 50 cities, the index's own year-to-year swings suggest sampling alone can move a three-year change about that much. A ZIP whose index rose 7% or more in one year and fell as much in another is left out as too jumpy. We show rises and falls, each year's change, and the city's and metro's figures for the same years. Past rankings are a weak guide: of the ZIPs in their city's top 3 for 2019–2022, 25 of 134 (about 1 in 5) were top 3 again for 2022–2025; chance alone would give about 21. Many ZIPs, especially dense ones, have no index.

City and metro price figures

City: the resident-weighted average of its ZIPs that have an index (the ZIP card says when that's only part of the city). Metro: FHFA's all-transactions index over the same calendar years, the ZIPs' method; the metro card also shows FHFA's purchase-only index for the latest quarter against a year and five years earlier. Where FHFA splits a metro into divisions (New York, Miami, Detroit and others), the division's index, named where it's shown. Jobs, permits and population always cover the whole metro.

Payment ÷ income

Monthly housing payment (est.) on a house at the ZIP's median value: 20% down · 30-year fixed at 7.03% (Freddie Mac average) · 360 monthly loan payments · APR not calculated (it depends on the lender's fees) · includes principal and interest, property tax, home insurance and any HOA dues, plus mortgage insurance below 20% down. Property tax uses Baltimore's rule for a new buyer (about 2.4% of the price a year, our planning figure); insurance is a typical premium. Not included: upkeep, utilities, flood insurance, special assessments. Divided by a month of the ZIP's median household income. The Census reports values over $2 million and incomes over $250,000 only as “or more”, so those shares are bounds (“at least”, “at most”). Left out where 50% or more of owner-occupied homes are in buildings with 5+ units: their HOA dues or co-op charges aren't in the payment. It combines two estimates, so no margin is computed. 7.03% is Freddie Mac's average 30-year fixed rate for the week of Sep 24, 2026, for buyers with 20% down and excellent credit. It isn't an offer or an APR.

Census figures and margins of error

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024: the median value owners report for their homes (it lags sale prices; co-op owners report the value of their shares), median rent with utilities, median household income, residents, and the property tax and monthly costs owners report. Each comes with its 90% margin of error (±). Figures whose margin is 20–49% of the estimate are marked “less reliable” and left out of rankings and tags; figures with wider margins aren't shown. A population change (from 2015–2019) is shown only when it passes the Census Bureau's 90% significance test; otherwise it says “no clear change”. Baltimore's own figures come from the Census's estimates for the city itself where published; otherwise they blend its ZIPs (no margin computed). Lists leave out ZIPs with fewer than 1,000 residents.

Tags

Lower home values:
The median value owners report is in the lowest quarter of the city's ZIPs (Census ACS). Less reliable estimates and ZIPs where most owners live in condos or co-ops aren't compared.
Population grew:
Residents rose 5% or more between the two latest five-year Census surveys, by more than the margin of error.
Mostly condos or co-ops:
Half or more of owner-occupied homes are in buildings with 5 or more units. Values there leave out HOA dues and co-op charges, so they aren't ranked.
New rail nearby:
A rail station opened within about a mile in 2023–2026.

“New rail nearby” uses our dated news pins: a ZIP whose center is within 1,600 m of a station that opened, plus the ZIP the station sits in. No tag describes price momentum.

Hazards and flood insurance

FEMA's National Risk Index rates each county's expected yearly losses from each hazard against all U.S. counties; we show those Expected Annual Loss ratings for every county the city lies in, without FEMA's social-vulnerability adjustments. They describe counties, not homes. Flood insurance counts are policies and claims in the federal program (NFIP) only. Check an address's flood zone on FEMA's flood map.

What buyers borrowed and paid

Public HMDA loan records: home-purchase first liens on owner-occupied 1–4 unit homes in the city (the card names the area covered), with the number of loans behind each figure. Loans that closed, not offers or quotes.

Neutral by design

We describe prices, payments, population counts, construction and rail lines. We don't describe places by who lives there, schools or crime, and we don't call areas “up-and-coming”, “transitional” or “safe”. Choose where to live for your own reasons.

Sources and dates