NeighborWorks America and Member Organizations Including NHS of Baltimore Ask Congress for Additional $100 million in Housing Rehab Funding

Baltimore, MD. — NHS of Baltimore will assist NeighborWorks America in its “ask” from Congress by educating key representatives on how the money will positively benefit Baltimore and Maryland economies. The additional $100 million NeighborWorks America is asking for will be divided up among its member organizations to use in their communities for housing rehabilitation of both single and multi-family housing units.

NHS of Baltimore has been in the business of rehabilitating owner-occupied, single family housing for low income families since its inception in 1974. Our organization prides itself on its ability to provide low cost, responsible lending, as well as professional oversight of the work from start to finish. We currently receive funding from the City of Baltimore for our rehab program and are partnering with Park Heights Renaissance, Inc. in its major redevelopment of the Park Heights neighborhood. Additionally, our organization currently receives funding from NeighborWorks America for our housing rehab, homeownership lending and education programs.

NHS of Baltimore rehabs around 85 homes as year on average. However, the number of clients seeking housing rehab has increased by 39% over the last year, receiving between 3-5 new inquiries about it a week. If we were to receive extra funding through this ask, we could rehab up to an additional 42 homes in Baltimore city over the course of the next year. Furthermore, our rehab efforts would create more than $2 million in spin-off construction and reinvestment revenue for the city and create 36 new jobs in areas related to retail, local government, professional services, construction and finance. Lastly, our efforts would increase home equity wealth in Baltimore by over $7 million over the next 10 years.*

We are strongly encouraging Congress to consider NeighborWorks’ “ask” because of the obvious benefits not only to individual communities such as Baltimore, but because of the broader benefits it would extend to the nation. Network members across the U.S. are ready and willing to put these federal dollars to work to ensure the best possible outcomes for their neighborhoods.

* The above numbers assume that the $100 million awarded to NeighborWorks would be allocated evenly among all 240 member organizations, which would equal around $415 thousand each.

How House Plants Can Improve Your Indoor Living Environment

By: Eleanor Horvitz, Senior Accountant, NHS of Baltimore

Our homes are constantly being polluted by various chemicals that are emitted into the air from furnishings, carpet and construction materials. These emissions are called off-gases. Benzene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide are the most common toxins found in our homes and offices. All of these chemicals can cause health issues with long term exposure.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted a study on off-gases to determine the effect house plants can have on decreasing their prevalence in the air. Their study showed that house plants do reduce the amount of pollutants and even provide oxygen to the air. The consensus, house plants will make your home a healthier, more livable place to be. Consider placing a few in every room you spend a lot of time in.

Here is a list of some of the plants that help clean the air:
Aloe Vera or Aloe Barbadensis (this is also called the medicine plant because the sap can help heal burns)
Spider plant
Golden Pothos
Peace Lily
Bamboo palm
Philodendrons
Snake Plants
Gerbera Daisy

This is just a small portion of the plants that can help clean your living environment and air quality. Be careful about selecting plants as some could be harmful to your pets. For more information visit your local garden center or contact the University of Maryland Cooperative extension agent for your county. To contact the Baltimore City branch, click here, or call 410-856-1850.

Photos from NeighborWorks Week 2009- neighborhood clean-up in Park Heights

Volunteers from NHS of Baltimore and Park Heights Renaissance clean up Park Circle and plant flowers (visit our Facebook page for more...)

How to Sell Your Home During a Recession

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

If you’re trying to sell your home in this economy, you’ve probably noticed that you have your work cut out for you. It is a buyer’s market folks and you, the homeowner face an uphill battle to ensure that your home sells in a timely manner and at a fair price. There may be some of you out there, still dreaming of more lucrative days- where home prices were dramatically inflated and there was no such thing as an outrageous ask. Times have changed my friends. A recent report out by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows that the housing market is just beginning to enter the trough of the mortgage crisis and predicts it will take as much as 6 ½ years for it to return to normalcy.

There is hope! Federal, state and local governments are promoting homeownership now more than ever in hopes of revamping the market. There are so many incentives for first time homebuyers available it is only a matter of time before people begin to use them. However, there are a few things you should absolutely know and do before attempting to put your home on the market, in order to ensure a timely sale and a fair price.

1. Pre-Listing Home Inspection- have the home inspected by a professional home inspector before you list it for sale. This will allow you to accurately and realistically price your home. It will also reveal any problems with the home prior to the homebuyer’s inspection so that you may have them repaired before hand. Lastly, it may encourage the homebuyer to waive the inspection contingency all together. Click HUD.gov for more details…

2. De-personalize and Detach Yourself From the Home- About.com recommends that you put away all personal pictures and heirlooms so as not to distract the potential buyer from looking at the home itself. You want to accentuate the space, not photos of your dogs and children. It seems harsh, but you have to think about the home as though it is not yours anymore. You want the potential buyer to be able to picture where they can put their photos and sentiments.

3. Wash and De-Clutter Everything!- Don’t hold back on making your home shine. Make sure you wash every window inside and out, shampoo your carpets, scrub and re-paint your walls, and clean up cluttered rooms and closets. You want the home to look immaculate so as to send a message that you have taken good care of it. Anything you haven’t used in a year should be donated, thrown out or put in a storage unit. Potential homebuyers will look in your closets and cabinets, so you want them neat and tidy. Lastly, put some of your furniture in storage. According to About.com, houses show better with less furniture.

4. Make Minor Repairs and Spruce Up the Outside- if you or the home inspector come across minor repairs, go ahead and nip them in the bud ahead of time. It will make the home more appealing and give you a bargaining chip in price negotiations. However, State Farm Insurance recommends that you should not undertake any major remodeling efforts. The homebuying price rarely ends up covering the cost of such repairs. Also, walk around your home and make sure there is no peeling paint and that all landscaping is trimmed and well kept. Take all necessary steps to make the outside of your home look inviting.

5. Disappear During the Showing- State Farm Insurance also suggests that you not be around during the showing of your house in order to make the setting more comfortable for buyers to ask questions. Preferably, try to keep children and pets away as well.

How Homeowners Can Combat Blight and Crime Brought on by Foreclosures

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

Recent articles in the news have brought to light some very real problems Baltimore homeowners are facing due to foreclosures. Everyone knows that when a home forecloses, it drives down the property value of other homes in the neighborhood- but few of us take time to consider the elements that play into plunging property values and what we can do to combat these elements. As a community, when one property suffers, all of them do and homeowners need to be informed about what they can do to stave off the effects of blight and crime, which often follow suit of foreclosure.

The Baltimore Brew’s recent story about one family’s experience with foreclosures next door, mirrors the stories of many homeowners around the city- uncut and unkempt front yards, broken windows, trash, rats and pests, as well as an upswing in drug dealing, theft and other crimes. Abandoned homes that are not properly secured and cared for by the lender or bank that owns it, invite passing strangers to loiter and participate in drug activity and are a danger to children and other neighbors. Furthermore, values of occupied properties continue to plummet due to shadow cast over them by vacant properties.

If you are a homeowner who is currently dealing with this problem, there are steps you can take to combat it. You can be a proactive player in the destiny of your community.

MSN Real Estate says the first step you should take is to find out what bank or lender owns the property. Get other neighborhood residents involved and call the bank’s foreclosure department frequently. Let them know that the vacant property is not being maintained or secured and that it is attracting crime and lowering your property value. If you or one of your neighbors is a client of the bank, let them you will take your business some place else if they do not address the problem.

If no action is taken by the owner of the property, you should report the violations to Baltimore Housing. They are in charge of enforcing city ordinances that deal with the safety, sanitation and over all ascetics of properties in Baltimore. The city has a vested interest in maintaining housing values, as well as providing safety to its residents. They will inspect the property and fine the owners for all violations. To go directly to their website, click here.

Next, anytime you see loitering or illegal activity taking place around the property, call the police. You want to send a message to strangers passing through your neighborhood that the residents care and are keeping a close watch on the community. The more often the police are called to the scene, the less likely it is that intruders will want to do their business there.

Lastly to cut down on the infestation of pests and rats, take it upon yourself to clean up any garbage on or around the property. Although you do not own the property, you have a vested interest in keeping it free of trash. If Baltimore Housing or the owner of the property is dragging their feet in cutting the grass, go over and mow it once a month yourself. This will also cut down on pests and make it look a little nicer.

NHS of Baltimore Warns of Rising Housing Discrimination and Offers Tips to Victims

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

A study recently conducted by the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) shows that housing discrimination is rising to monumental heights due to the foreclosure crisis and the availability of false internet ads. Ad content that would normally be regulated by the guidelines of the Fair Housing Act goes unabated on the internet due to the inability to regulate internet content.

NHS of Baltimore is urging current and potential homeowners to be aware of rising internet scams and to report any incidences of housing discrimination. As the NFHA points out, there have been more reports of housing discrimination over the past year than ever before seen. The housing crisis has created a perfect storm of sorts, where lenders preyed on certain populations for subprime loans- consequently forcing those people back into the renters’ market, making them vulnerable to housing discrimination.

If you feel you have been a victim of predatory lending or housing discrimination, there are several things you can do to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Keep all records- it is very important that you maintain all records of transaction between you and the mortgage lender, housing provider, insurance company, etc… Also be sure to have the address of the company/individual, as well as the address of the property in which you were interested in.

Contact your local fair housing agency- the NFHA has agencies located all over the U.S. Contact them to file a formal complaint. Click here to find the nearest location.

File a complaint with HUD- it is the responsibility of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate and prosecute all complaints of housing discrimination. Be sure to file a separate complaint with them. There is no fee to file a complaint with HUD or the NFHA. Click here to file a complaint.

If you are uncertain whether you have experienced housing discrimination, there are several resources available to help you. You may visit the NFHA website for easy access to laws including the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act and many others. Furthermore, you may also access previous court cases, which set precedent for future housing violations.

Remember, housing discrimination can come in many forms and happen in any setting. According to Move Smart.org, “If you are denied the opportunity to rent or buy housing, or experience differential treatment in your attempt to inspect, buy, or view a property of your choice, you may be a victim of housing discrimination. Other signs to watch for are possible different terms and conditions in renting or buying property, or discouragement from the property or neighborhood in which you were interested.”

Street Trees: Why They Benefit You as a Homeowner and City Resident

By: David Fielder, Housing Rehab Specialist, NHS of Baltimore

I am a homeowner in Baltimore City and I love trees. I don’t expect everyone to be as passionate as I am, but let me tell you about the practical reasons why a homeowner should have trees near his/her house.

Do you have noisy neighbors, honking their car horn when they pick someone up?
The leaves and branches of trees help to reduce the amount of noise that radiates through your neighborhood.

Do you have a damp basement?
Tree roots capture water when it rains and release it slowly over time. This means less water flowing down Baltimore’s sidewalks and streets, which can end up in your basement.

Do you like crabs? (I know you do!)
One of the reasons for the high price of crabs is the low numbers of them Watermen are allowed to catch. The reason for the low number is to protect the crab population. The crab population would not need to be protected if the health of the Bay was in better condition. Tree leaves and roots reduce the amount rain run-off into the Bay, which reduces the amount of trash, dirt and oil that is carried into it through the storm sewers.

Do cars drive too fast through your neighborhood?
Studies show that tree lined streets cause people to not drive as fast. I’ll bet you drive slower on 33rd St. than on North Ave. This is because 33rd has more street trees. Plus, more trees on 33rd makes it cooler in the summer while you’re waiting for a red light.

Do you or your kids have asthma?
A Harvard Medical School report indicates children that live in urban areas are being diagnosed with asthma at “epidemic” rates. The report says one reason is due to the amount of pollution in urban air from car and truck exhaust and industrial facilities. Studies show that trees can reduce street level particulates (dust and dirt) up to 60%. American Forests reports an average tree over a 50 year life span will provide $62,000 in air pollution control and make $31,250 worth of oxygen. I know when my windows are open in the Summer my white window sills turn grey with dirt. I hate to see that because I know I am breathing it in as well.

Do you want to increase the value of the rowhouse you just bought?
Research cited by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) states that property values of homes in tree lined streets can range from 5-20% higher than homes that do not have trees. Their esearch also shows that houses sell 4 to 6 weeks faster in neighborhoods that have trees.

Do you want to reduce the amount of money you pay to BGE each month?
A study by the University of Florida showed the residents of Gainesville saved an average of $126/year over residents in Ocala. The difference between the two cities is the amount of tree canopy. Gainesville has a larger tree canopy which provides more shade. Other research cited by ACT indicates that summer cooling costs can be reduced by 30-50% by strategically placing trees near your house. Every house in Baltimore does not have the opportunity to have multiple trees near it, but one is better than none.

Are you concerned about crime in your neighborhood, or in Baltimore?
Some people believe trees and shrubs increase the amount of crime because it gives criminals a place to hide. A research study by the University of Illinois showed that 48% fewer property crimes were committed and 56% fewer violent crimes were committed at apartment buildings that have trees and shrubs around them. Street trees that are tended to and stoops with potted flowers are a sign to criminals that neighbors are active in the community. An active community means there are more eyes on the street, making it less likely that criminal will risk taking advantage of someone. Baltimore City can do more to fight crime than just putting up Blue Flashing Lights. They can plant and take care of trees.

Are you tired of paying high city taxes and still driving on roads that damage your car or bike?
A study by the USDA Forest Service showed that every dollar spent on urban forestry realized $1.89 in residual benefits. One major savings benefit was the increased lifetime of asphalt streets, extended by the use of shade of trees. Other research shows the reduction of storm water run-off by tree roots saves on sewer infrastructure maintenance. Have you seen the trash collector in the Harbor after it rains? The amount of bottles, balls, and bags is unbelievable.

Do you want to feel better about you neighborhood and Baltimore?
In a paper written by a University of Buffalo Law Professor, there is a discussion about the positive mental aspects to neighborhoods because of trees. Neighborhoods that are only buildings, streets and sidewalks can increase the stress a person feels about living there. Neighborhoods with trees increase a person’s overall mental health by creating a sense of pride about the neighborhood, making you feel better about your job, creating fewer sick days, reducing the length of hospital stays and lowering stress and instances of domestic violence.

Are you concerned about your Carbon Footprint?
The average US. Citizen generates 2.3 tons (4,600 lbs) of carbon/year.
A mature street tree (12.5” in diameter) stores 897 lbs of carbon/year.
An acre of trees stores 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide/year. This is as much carbon dioxide that is generated from driving a car 26,000 miles.

The size of our carbon footprint is constantly in the new. President Obama is asking all of us to do our part for our nation and our environment. What can be more patriotic than planting street trees? This is an easy step that benefits all Baltimoreans. Besides, the President asked us to!

The seasonal change in trees adds color and beauty to your neighborhood. This is a source of pride for where you live. Trees are always a source of conversation between neighbors. There came a sad day when my neighbor had to cut down a large evergreen tree in her side yard. Not everyone liked the tree but it was a well known landmark. I continually have friends and strangers ask we what happened to that tree.

Local organizations that support trees and urban tree related issues:
Parks & People Foundation
Herring Run Watershed Association
Tree Baltimore
Hampden Community Council (HCC) – Clean & Green Team
Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES)
Casey Trees

PRESS RELEASE: NHS to Host Free Homebuyer Education Housewarming Party

Baltimore, MD. — Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore is hosting a Homebuyer Education Housewarming Party on Saturday, June 13, 2009, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, at 819 Park Ave. Baltimore, MD. 21201. We are offering four, one hour mini-seminars that will cover everything from preparing to buy a home, to what to do after your purchase. Our HUD certified housing counselors will be available to speak with and offer advice to participants directly. The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Services will also have attorneys available to counsel individuals and families facing foreclosure. This event is completely free to attend. There will be free food and drinks, a bake sale and activities for kids as well.

Class Schedule:
10:00am- Post Purchase: We bought a home. Now what?
11:00am- Budgeting and Saving: Why it is essential?
12:00pm- BREAK FOR LUNCH AND ACTIVITIES
1:00pm- Credit: What you don't know can hurt you
2:00pm- Pre Purchase: What to do before buying a home
Counselors Available: 12:pm-2:00pm

NHS of Baltimore is dedicated to creating successful homeowners by empowering them with the tools they need to buy a home and keep it. We believe education and counseling play a key role in successful in homeownership, which is why we offer monthly homebuyer education and financial fitness classes as well as comprehensive, one-on-one counseling. Homebuyers who participate in our program come away with an informed approach to buying a home. They also earn the state certificate, required to participate in many state and local incentive programs.

“A nonprofit such as NHS should be your first step in seeking homeownership information because of our experience, dedication, and willingness to go the extra mile to fulfill the life dreams of so many people,” said Tanya Washington, Chief Operating Officer, NHS of Baltimore. “We don’t work on commission and we always have the client’s best interest at heart”.

NHS of Baltimore is hosting this event in recognition of homeownership month, as well as NeighborWorks Week- an annual celebration of NeighborWorks America member organizations that invites neighborhood residents and other stakeholders to get involved in their communities.

For more information about the Homebuyer Education Housewarming Party, please contact Alicia Schuller, at 410-327-1200 x 114

More Money Available to First Time Homebuyers!

The State of Maryland is increasing the amount money you can receive from their Down payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program (DSELP) from $3,500 to $5,000 for first-time homebuyers, during the month of June. This is in recognition of homeownership month. Take advantage while you can! Click here for more info.

NHS and Park Heights Residents Brighten Up Park Circle

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

This last Saturday, NHS of Baltimore staff, along with residents of the Park Heights neighborhood volunteered their time to clean up and plant flowers around Park Circle, where the “Welcome to Park Heights” sign is located. The grassy island at the intersection of Reisterstown Rd. and Park Heights Ave. was littered with trash from passing cars and in need of mowing. Volunteers spent three hours picking up trash, mowing the grass, moving decorative rocks and planting flowers near the sign.

The clean-up initiative was apart of the NHS of Baltimore’s participation in NeighborWorks Week, a week long celebration of neighborhoods across the nation, that invites residents and stakeholders to come together for a common goal in their communities. NHS chose to host an event in Park Heights because of its partnership with Park Heights Renaissance, Inc. and the City of Baltimore in their redevelopment plan for the area. Thus far, NHS has rehabbed 42 owner-occupied homes in Park Heights, for low income and elderly residents- most in need of structural repair due to safety and functionality concerns.

PHR is strongly vested in the revitalization of Park Heights and seeing the neighborhood flourish again and NHS is glad to have the opportunity to offer its services to the area. “Choosing to host the NeighborWorks week event there was a great idea”, said Tanya Washington, Chief Operating Officer of NHS of Baltimore. “The redevelopment of Park Heights starts at the entrance of the neighborhood and moves inward.”

NHS Provides the Tools for Successful Homeownership and Empowers People for the Future

Submitted by: The Lending Department, NHS of Baltimore

Oct 7, 2008 NHS of Baltimore had a family referred to us who was interested in buying a home, but whose credit was in such bad disrepair, their current mortgage company was not willing to help or counsel them. The Smith family had several blemishes on their credit record that required immediate attention and reconciliation before they would be ready or capable of owning their first home. When they first came in to see us for help, their situation looked pretty dire, but they were very willing to do what needed to be done in order to resolve their credit issues, so we decided to work with them.

We began working with the Smith family one-on-one, identifying the key problems with their credit and advising them on debts that needed to be paid first. We were then able to negotiate cooperation from their creditors, as well as the credit bureaus in allowing them to pay off and expunge the debts. From this point, it was our job to keep in touch with the bureaus and fax over proof of payment so they could remove the blemishes from the Smith’s record entirely.

The lending department worked tirelessly with the Smith family over the course of five months to help them reconcile their debts. They purchased their first home on February 25, 2009 with a fixed, 30 year mortgage of 5.25%. The loan was serviced by us through Provident Bank, which we are proud to say was successful. Not only did it take patience from our end, it took dedication and willingness on the Smith’s end. So many times, clients seek NHS of Baltimore’s services thinking we are some kind of miracle workers. But we tell people, ‘you have to be willing and able to do it yourself. All we can do is guide you in the right direction.’

Being a non-profit, homeownership organization, we pride ourselves on providing people with responsible help that will guarantee successful and sustainable homeownership. We won’t put people in a loan if we don’t think they are prepared or capable to own a home.
In the Smith’s case, they overcame many obstacles to becoming homeowners, and with our support they were able to embrace the American dream.

Note: For our client’s protection, we have kept their name anonymous. The “Smith family” is an anonym.

Be Green: 6 Simple Ways to Cut Down on Your Energy Bill This Summer

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

1. Get an “Energy Audit”- many utility companies including Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) offer free energy audits that will tell you exactly where your home is leaking energy. You will learn where the problem spots for heating and cooling are, as well as what you can do to fix the problems.

2. Buy a programmable thermostat- it will allow you to pre-set several different temperature settings that will kick on throughout the day. Setting the temp higher when you are away from your home will definitely help conserve energy. BGE offers a rewards program for folks who install a programmable thermostat in their home, as well as a special Energy Savers program that allows them to “cycle” your air conditioning on and off, remotely, during times of your choosing- further saving you money.

3. Turn off lights when they aren’t being used- leaving the lights off in rooms you’re not using not only cuts down on your energy bill, it will keep those rooms cooler as well. To take it a step further, you can purchase motion detector switches for rooms that are not used heavily, such as hallways and bathrooms. You can pre-set them to go off after a certain amount of time.

4. Replace your outdated light bulbs- placing Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) in all of your lamps inside and outside will cut your electric bill drastically. They use 3/4 less energy than standard light bulbs, and although they are a bit more expensive, they typically last three times longer than a standard bulb as well. BGE offers several incentives to their customers who use energy efficient bulbs.

5. Turn off electronics when they are not being used- many electronics such as laptops and cell phones, have a “stand by” or “sleep” mode when they aren’t in use. Although they are using less energy, they are still using enough to make a difference on your monthly bill. This is called “vampire energy”, which can also be sucked out of your DVD player, television and microwave, even when they are switched off. When going on long trips, it would be wise to unplug these devices all together.

6. Clean behind your appliances- cleaning and clearing all dust and debris from behind appliances such as your refrigerator, clothes dryer and air conditioning unit will definitely make a difference. When these devices become clogged or blocked with dust, dryer lint, or other debris, their fans have to work harder to cool their motors down- thus consuming more energy. If you have central air in your home, cleaning or replacing the filter on the unit will increase its efficiency and decrease the amount of energy it uses.

Ground Rent: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

By: Alicia Schuller, Marketing Coordinator, NHS of Baltimore

If you are not native to Baltimore, the term ground rent probably doesn’t mean a whole lot to you. If you are a renter, it most likely doesn’t mean a whole lot more. However if you are considering buying a home in Charm City, the term just became something you should familiarize yourself with. Although it does not apply to all homes in Baltimore, ground rent can play a role in determining the cost of escrow on your home and could possibly create problems for you in the future if you are unaware of how to deal with it.

A remnant of the colonial area, ground rents were once used as a way to cut down on the cost of homeownership for people, allowing them to rent the land on which their house stood, at a cheaper cost than buying it. Believe it or not, this old world way of doing business is still alive and well today in Baltimore city. The notion that you own your home does not necessarily imply that you own the land beneath it. Up until 2007, people who didn’t pay their ground rent could be ousted from their homes by the owners of the ground, who then had the right to seize and sell the home. This was often times happening for extremely small amounts of money as low as $24.

Many homeowners were not even aware that a ground rent existed on their property and others had a hard time finding the owners. According to the Baltimore Sun, large real estate developers were most commonly buying up the ground rents in pools and then requiring unpaid rent to be paid in full after years of neglect.

In 2007 Baltimore city passed several new ordinances regarding ground rents in order to protect and empower homeowners. If you own or are planning to purchase a home in the city, you should be aware of ground rent and your rights and responsibilities as they apply. (the following information comes from Live Baltimore’s website. If you would like to learn more, click here.)

•Ground rent is paid twice a year to the owner of the ground, or can be paid one time a year in full

•The cost associated with ground rent typically ranges from $50- $150

•When a property is listed for sale on the “Multiple Listing Service,” the property description should note if ground rent is applicable. Fee Simple means you’ll own the house and the ground when paying the purchase price. Ground Rent means you’ll pay a fee to the owner of the ground

•If you still do not know if ground rent applies to your property, you may visit the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation Database before September 30, 2010. All ground owners are now required to register with the database

•The most back ground rent that can be collected is 3 years, regardless of the amount of time unpaid

•You are entitled to buy your ground rent from the owner

•If you cannot afford to buy your ground rent, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development offers a loan to allow you to do so, although you must reside below 80% of the area median income (AMI)