CONTACT: Lisa Lynn Hansen
410-637-3750 ext 11
lhansen@livebaltimore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 29, 2005

HOUSING FAIR EXPLORES NEIGHBORHOODS
ON BALTIMORE'S WEST SIDE

$3000 available toward the purchase of a new home in Baltimore City

BALTIMORE, MD - In order to encourage prospective home buyers to buy in Baltimore City, the Live Baltimore Home Center and the City of Baltimore are hosting their seventh annual Buying Into Baltimore Home-Buying Fairs and Neighborhood Tours. Since 1999, these unique events have helped sell hundreds of city homes and distributed more than $1.8 million in city incentives to home buyers.

The first of two annual fairs in 2005 will concentrate on the western region of the city and will take place on Saturday May 14th, from 9:00am to 2:00pm, at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute High School, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane.

"With today's hot real estate market and $3,000 in homeownership incentives available, this is the premier housing event of the spring home-buying season," said Baltimore City Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano. "It's a must for first-time homebuyers."

The fair provides an abundance of information for prospective buyers. Participants can attend homeownership and renovation education sessions, preview listings of homes for sale and meet with over 30 knowledgeable exhibitors. On the neighborhood tours, attendees will have the opportunity to view homes for sale. The western region consists of communities west of Charles Street in north Baltimore and Russell Street in south Baltimore.

The first 50 participants who close on a house within 90 days of the western region fair will be eligible to receive a $3,000 award from the city towards down payment and closing costs. Admission to the event is free and pre-registration is encouraged at www.LiveBaltimore.com/hb/bib/east/reg.
"People will come from the entire Baltimore and Washington regions to get an intimate view of Baltimore's great up and coming neighborhoods and affordable homes," said Tracy Gosson, executive director of Live Baltimore Home Center.

The Live Baltimore Home Center is a nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization committed to promoting the benefits of Baltimore City living. Each year, Live Baltimore provides thousands of individuals with information on more than 225 city neighborhoods, financial incentive programs, historic tax credits and special events. For more information, call Live Baltimore at 410-637-3750 or visit www.LiveBaltimore.com.