Think You Can’t Afford to Buy a Home in 2025? Think Again—Baltimore Might Be the Best Place to Start

Kelsey Hurson
Jun 4
2 min read

No 20% down? No problem. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to buy your first home, this might be it—and if you haven’t considered Baltimore, now’s the time to change that. With home prices rising across the country, Baltimore quietly remains one of the most affordable big cities in America, and yes—you can still buy a home here with little to no money down.

Here’s how (and why) first-time buyers are winning in 2025.

Baltimore Is One of the Most Affordable Cities in the U.S. — Seriously...don’t just take my word for it:

Median Home Price (April 2025): Just $245,000 (Compare that to the national median of over $400K!)
Ranked in the Top 25 Most Affordable Cities for homebuyers by WalletHub
Inventory is up 29.3% year-over-year, which means buyers have more choices and more room to negotiate

In other words? You’ve got options—and leverage.

How to Buy a Home with Little or No Money Down

You read that right. There are several programs in Maryland (and specifically for Baltimore residents) that make homeownership possible without the massive upfront cost.

1. Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) -- Get down payment assistance, access to low-rate loans, and even grant money to cover closing costs. This program is a first-time buyer’s best friend.

2. VA Loans -- If you’re a veteran or active military—thank you—and here’s your reward: 0% down, no PMI, and flexible credit rules.

3. FHA Loans -- Only 3.5% down required, with flexible credit guidelines. Combine this with MMP for even more savings.

4. Lender & Bank Programs -- Some local banks are offering limited-time programs for first-time buyers—including grants, lower interest rates, and even no PMI loans.

Are you ready to get started? Here are the next steps I would recommend:

Step 1: Get pre-approved so you know your numbers. I work with amazing lender partners everyday and would be happy to refer you!
Step 2: Connect with a local agent (hey, that’s me!) to start the search. Let's sit down to review the homebuying process together.
Step 3: Learn your options for down payment assistance and loan types. With both your lender and me by your side, we will help you explore all possible options!

Let’s talk—seriously. A quick conversation could change everything you thought you knew about buying a home!