Applying for the $5,000 Buying Into Baltimore Incentive Lottery

Twenty incentives will be awarded to qualifying applicants through a lottery. Please complete the actions below by 2 pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to enter the Winter lottery.

Click here to view a video explaining the incentive process.

✔️ Earn Your Counseling Certificate

You must earn a Homeownership Counseling Certificate from a City-approved counseling agency before making an offer on a home. All buyers listed on the sales contract must have their name on a counseling certificate.

✔️ Choose a Mortgage Lender

Contact a knowledgeable mortgage lender for pre-qualification and guidance on using incentives to buy your home.

✔️ Search for Homes

Choose a real estate agent to help you create a list of homes to consider. You can search for an agent in our directory of City Living Experts.

Important: To qualify for the Lottery, you must attend the Trolley Tour before making an offer on a home. Your contract must be drafted and dated between February 1 and February 19, 2025, by 2 pm.

✔️ Attend the Trolley Tour Event

Register and attend the Trolley Tour on February 1, 2025, to qualify for the Buying Into Baltimore Incentive. You will receive an admissions ticket at the event. Remember to keep it as part of your attendance verification.

Note: We host a Trolley Tour event and Lottery every Winter, Spring, and Fall. You can attend multiple events without restrictions. This web page will be updated each season with new dates.

✔️ Review the Full Incentive Terms and Conditions

Review the Full Incentive Terms and Conditions carefully and make sure you meet the requirements.

✔️ Secure a Contract on a Home

Make an offer and secure a contract on a home between February 1 and February 19, 2025, by 2 pm.

Important: This step can’t be completed until you earn a counseling certificate and attend the Trolley Tour event.

✔️ Apply for the Incentive

Gather the required documents below and apply for the Buying Into Baltimore Incentive through Neighborly, Baltimore City’s secure online application portal. When applying, make sure to select the Buying Into Baltimore Incentive checkbox. The application will open on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Required Documents to upload with your online incentive application:

★ TROLLEY TOUR TICKET: You will receive an admissions ticket at the event. Remember to keep it as part of your attendance verification.

★ HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING CERTIFICATE: Homeownership counseling certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of completion.

★ PROOF OF  $1,000 CONTRIBUTION: Provide a copy or photo of the check or other form of proof that you are contributing at least $1,000 to your home purchase.

★ RATIFIED CONTRACT: Your contract of sale must be for a home in Baltimore City. Ratified means that both you and the seller have signed the contract. All components of the contract, including the initial offer to buy the home must be dated and signed between February 1 and February 19, 2025, by 2 pm. Settlement must occur by May 21, 2025.

✔️ Attend a Verification Appointment

After applying, a Live Baltimore staff member will review your application and send you an email to schedule a 10-minute Zoom appointment for application verification. After your appointment, you are entered into the lottery. The deadline to apply and complete a verification appointment is February 19, 2025, at 2 p.m.

✔️ Watch the Lottery

Watch the lottery on Live Baltimore’s Facebook at 12 pm on February 20, 2025, to find out if you’ve been selected! All participants will be contacted via email after the lottery drawing.

If you have any questions or issues during this process, please email lottery@livebaltimore.com or call (410) 637-3750 ext. 118. You can find additional homebuying information and resources here.