What We Do
The Department of Real Estate (DORE) manages Baltimore City’s real estate assets and is responsible for all government leasing needs. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Baltimore City by providing an outstanding level of service, excellence, expertise, and transparency in real estate transactions such as acquisition, disposition, leasing, and licensing.
City Owned Property
Leasing
The following types of leasing are performed by the Department of Real Estate:
City-owned Property City-owned property, which includes land, buildings, wharfage, marinas, and docks, areleased to city agencies and various private users. The Department of Real Estate concentrates its efforts in the following areas:
· Reviews properties to increase revenue potential.
· Physically inspects properties and reviews current leases to determine compliance with existing general terms and assess the condition of the property.
· Reviews space needs of City Agencies to determine the ability to fill requests with City-owned space.
Privately-owned Property
Privately-owned property is leased to accommodate space requirements for City agencies that cannot be filled with City-owned space. The Department of Real Estate receives requests from various City agencies to find adequate space for new and existing programs. The Department of Real Estate utilizes its network of contacts to search for office and industrial space.
Acquisitions
Acquisition activity is generally initiated through urban renewal projects undertaken by the City through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and overseen by the Comptroller. Requests for the acquisition of other properties for redevelopment inthe City are also handled by the Office of the Comptroller.
Based upon the higher of two appraisals of the subject property, the Department of Real Estate presents the owner an option for the City to purchase the property from the owner.
The signed option agreement is presented to the Board of Estimates for approval. Upon approval, the option agreement is processed for settlement and the deed is recorded. If the offer is rejected, the property is referred for condemnation.
Buying DORE Property
The Department of Real Estate is responsible for approximately 1300 City-owned parcels.
These lots were purchased by the City of Baltimore through the tax sale process in the 1980s and 1990s. In the past, it was City policy to purchase en masse tax sale certificates that were not sold at the annual tax sale auction. These properties were acquired through the tax sale foreclosure process and are currently owned by the Mayor and City CouncilThey are available to purchase viaBuy in B’MorePurchase inquiries can be made by contacting the Department at (410) 396-4768
Cell Towers / Antennas
Wireless Tower Construction and Co-location
The Department of Real Estate will confirm that the property is City-owned and check for space availability on the property by performing a site visit and inspection. aOnce notice is received that the City-owned property is available, submit the Baltimore City Antenna Site Application (PDF) by clicking here.
Department of Real Estate ATTN: Cell Tower Application 304 City Hall 100 N. Holliday Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Upon receipt and preliminary review of your technical application, you will be contacted by the Department of Real Estate within 30 days and provided with a status update.
Tax Sale Certificates
In May of each year, the Director of Finance holds an annual tax sale, offering the public the opportunity to purchase tax sale certificates on properties that have delinquent liens which can include taxes, water and sewer charges, cleaning, boarding, and environmental. Six months after the sale, the public can purchase unsold certificates through the Department of Real Estate.
The unsold tax sale certificates can be purchased under one of two programs through the Department of Real Estate:
Under the Regular Tax Sale, the certificate is sold for the total lien amount plus 18 percent interest. Individuals can only purchase three (3) tax sale certificates. Browse certificates.
NOTE: Tax sale purchasers are not purchasing title to a property. They are purchasing the right, under certain conditions, to take title through a legal foreclosure process.
Supplemental Information
Please note that the information contained herein does not constitute legal advice. It is the responsibility of each constituent to verify the accuracy of the following information. You can reach the Department of Real Estate at (410) 396-4768.
Upon receiving the certificate, the holder should employ an attorney to institute the required legal proceedings in an effort to place the title in the holder’s name.
The property may be redeemed by anyone with a current title interest until the foreclosure case is completed. The person redeeming the certificate must refund the holder liens paid, taxes advanced, interest on the lien at 1-½ % per month from the date of the tax sale to the date of redemption, and legal expenses, if incurred, forclosing the right of redemption.
The holder of the certificate has no property rights until the foreclosure process is completed and the title is transferred. The holder of the certificate is responsible for any City liens placed against the property subsequent to the date of the tax sale in May. The tax sale certificate holder is fully responsible for such costs or repairs provided the title is obtained