How to Prepare for National Homeownership Month 2025

June is National Homeownership Month, and your friends at Live Baltimore want to make sure you’re prepared for your journey. Read our list of everything you need to get from “Can I do this?” to “I did it!”

  1. Create a Homebuying Profile on LiveBaltimore.com

If you were buying anywhere outside of Baltimore, this step wouldn’t matter to you. But, as a Baltimore City buyer, you need the city living experts in your corner. Your homebuying profile allows you to save your favorite neighborhoods, real estate partners, and financial incentives as you browse the Live Baltimore website.

  1. Earn Your Homeownership Counseling Certificate

This is one of the most important steps in your homebuying journey if you plan on using any of Baltimore City’s homebuying incentive programs. Nearly all financial incentives require buyers to obtain a homeownership counseling certificate from a City-approved counseling agency before making an offer on a home.

  1. Choose Your Real Estate Dream Team

This is where your episode of ‘House Hunters’ begins. Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage allows you to search for home options that are within your price range, so you won’t fall in love with a property you can’t afford. We recommend working with a knowledgeable lender who is well-versed in navigating Baltimore City’s numerous homebuying incentives, as well as a real estate agent who is familiar with Baltimore City neighborhoods, property taxes, and other city-specific details.

  1. Complete Your Home Inspection & Get Insurance

Getting a home inspection is one way you can avoid turning your dream home into a nightmare. Your home inspector will identify maintenance issues and property defects that you may not be able to see. Once you’ve found your dream home and checked for all repairs, you can secure your homeowner’s insurance.

  1. Choose a Title Company

What is a title company, and why do you need one? You need one to ensure that there is no baggage left behind from any previous owners of the property, like liens or outstanding legal issues surrounding the home. We recommend selecting a title company based in Baltimore City that has experience with local transactions.

  1. Sign Documents and Get Your Keys

Finally… we may be out of breath (and possibly crying with joy), but we’ve made it to the finish line. Your last step is to sign your settlement paperwork, get your new keys, and officially become a homeowner!

It is important to note that no two homebuying journeys are the same. Your road to homeownership may require a few more steps, but you will always have support with Live Baltimore. To see a visual of these steps, download our Homebuying Guide. Have more questions about homebuying? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Happy National Homeownership Month!

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