The Trolley Tour Makes Homebuying a Reality in Baltimore City

Trolley Tour

For decades, the Trolley Tour, Live Baltimore’s triannual homebuying incentive event, has been a one-stop shop for new and existing homebuyers in Baltimore City. It serves as a mecca for all players within the housing market to convene, network, educate, and learn from one another. The Trolley Tour offers a little something for everyone, whether it be an eye-opening conversation with a community organization, an informative home buying workshop, or even a highly sought-after bus tour of your desired neighborhood.

The Spring 2022 installment of Trolley Tour brought out more than 450 potential homebuyers! Live Baltimore staff and dozens of community organizations, vendors, and volunteers gathered at the prestigious Baltimore Polytechnic Institute on Saturday, May 14, to make purchasing a home a reality for many who believed it to be out of their reach. Here’s what attendees had to say about their experience.

Bryan Patenaude, who recently moved to Baltimore City a few months ago, told Live Baltimore staff,

“I wish I knew about this before we started the [moving] process… I think it would have been super helpful to see the stuff that’s here. [See] the lenders, who have their booths set up and then tour the neighborhoods. It’s a nice convenient way to do that.”

Bryan Patenaude is a new Baltimore City resident. He and his wife are looking to purchase their first home in the Fells Point neighborhood. 

As a first-time homebuyer, Keisha Wallace knew the Trolley Tour was precisely where she needed to be.

“I needed to get certain things because I do need help; I’m a first-time homebuyer… the workshops helped prepare me to buy a house, take care of a house, and to know what I can afford in the long run.”

Keisha Wallace is a Baltimore City native who has lived in various neighborhoods in Northeast Baltimore, West Baltimore, and South Baltimore.

Gina Clay used resources from the Trolley Tour to purchase her first home ten years ago and has been a longtime volunteer for the event ever since. When asked why she’s done it for so long, she had this to say,

“[Live Baltimore] was so helpful. They had so many services, and I used so many. And then, the following year, I said, I just want to give back. So, I’ve been giving back for ten years, and I love it.”

Gina Clay plans to continue her volunteer work at future Trolley Tours, and, of course, she loves city living.

Would you like to qualify for up to $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance toward your new Baltimore City home? Keep an eye on Live Baltimore’s Facebook page and LiveBaltimore.com/events for more information about our Fall 2022 Trolley Tour on Saturday, October 1.