About Baltimore's Westport

Baltimore's Westport: Get In on the Entry Level

I suppose if I were selling stocks and had the advice of Warren Buffet, or perhaps if I were talking of a growing company that were moving into the area and hiring, then this might sound like something to which one should listen. But no, it is neither of those, but rather it is a neighborhood. Baltimore City is an old and established city, so you may be wondering how you could get in on the entry level. It is very simple; I am talking about the renaissance of a neighborhood.

Westport is on the south side of Baltimore City and an initial look at this region would send one running. But, slow down, there is a lot more to this neighborhood than meets the eye.

Westport is one of Baltimore City's last residential waterfront communities. An enormous development is underway which will completely transform the waterfront regions of the neighborhood.

Already the light rail stops directly in the center and along the waterfront which allows for easy and accessible transportation south to BWI International Airport and North all the way to the industrialized Hunt Valley region of Baltimore County. About a half mile north is the hugely popular ball fields of the Ravens and Orioles.

On the map, the area looks isolated from the very popular Federal Hill and other South Baltimore neighborhoods, which are surrounding the Inner Harbor, but that too may change in more ways than one. First there is an old turnstile railroad bridge which may be converted into a pedestrian and biking path which would be directly connected to Riverside Park, which is just south of Federal Hill. Second, the planned development, which is already underway, will be as big as the Initial Inner Harbor project. Plus, as an extra benefit, with today's concerns and today's technology, it will be one of the most "Green" projects in the entire region.

Shops, restaurants, condominiums, apartments, and such are all planned for this project.

But how can you get into the act? The old rowhomes, which currently exist in this, otherwise, downtrodden area are ready for the slightly speculative buyer. Many of the homes in design and size are similar to those of Canton on the east side, where a nice home may sell for easily over $200,000 and then some. However, these homes are priced at closer to $70,000 and less. Some of them are liveable as they are, while some need renovations, which could easily be financed with a FHA 203k loan, whereby the buyer could be occupying the home within six months or less. Once the project is complete, these homes will surely appreciate at a rate well above the rest of the region.

Here are some of the homes that you could expect.

Local Business Sees Value in Baltimore's Westport Area

The neighborhood of Westport on the south side of Baltimore City is one of the best locations in Maryland and in the Northeast US.

The region had been neglected, but has grandiose plans underway to turn it into the new "Inner Harbor" of Baltimore.

Barton Cotton has just leased space just south of Westport for an incredible deal.

Barton Cotton has signed a lease for 210,000 square feet at Continental Realty Corp.'sWaterview Commerce Center. The 343,500 square foot building sits on 32.41 acres near Westport in Baltimore.

Bob Oare, Michael Bosica and Alan Orman of Colliers Pinkard represented the landlord in this transaction. Michael Roden and Ed Harris of CB Richard Ellis represented Barton Cotton.

According to Oare, this lease consolidates Barton Cotton into one building from three buildings, two of which he says are functionally obsolete. Oare also said two other tenants were vying for the space, both of which are still in the market.

"It's indicative of the marketplace," said Oare, SIOR, a Senior Vice President/Principal at Colliers Pinkard. "Companies are moving into available Class A property where the rental rates are now lower and they're getting a better deal."

CoStar was the first to report this lease.

Call for information on residential properties available in the Westport Community.

Baltimore: Westport: Wow

Since Baltimore began its renaissance a few decades ago, it has made strong and steady steps into becoming one of America's favorite cities.

Baltimore created the model and set the standard for downtown redevelopments.

• It is anchored by its famous Inner Harbor, which includes Harbor Place, the National Aquarium, and the Maryland Science Center.

• It has been praised for its often copied Oriole Park at Camden Yard.

• It paved the way for the future football stadiums of the nation with it Ravens Stadium.

• It has formed strong mutually beneficial ties between businesses, educational institutions, and government.

• It continues to improve its transportation infrastructure with efficient green modes of transport.

For all of it accomplishments, the best may be just getting started. The redevelopment of its waterfront community in the neighborhood of Westport.

Take a peek at the Wespoint Vision as depicted by the main developer.

As major an undertaking that this may be, there is still room for the smaller investor. The homes that are currently in this neighborhood, need lots of renovating, but given there very low prices and given the magnitude of this incredible project, these homes can only see substantial appreciation in the next few years. Take a look at these deals:

Westport Investment Properties

Baltimore City's Last Waterfront Community

It is the latest up and coming neighborhood in Baltimore City. Not only is it on the move, but it is a water front community.

The success of Baltimore's Inner Harbor is known throughout the country and even the world. But all of Baltimore's harbor is not developed. There is a section on the southwest side of town which is just beginning a serious development that may make it even more popular than the Inner Harbor.

This neighborhood is only minutes south of Ravens Stadium and Oriole Park. In fact, if all plans are put into place, it will be connected via the use of an old railroad swing bridge to the very popular Federal Hill, Locust Point, and Riverside Communities.

The neighborhood already has Light Rail running right through it to easily connect its citizens with BWI International Airport on the south and numerous points through the center of Baltimore all the way north to Hunt Valley.

Construction has begun on what currently has been dubbed "Green Harbor". This site will be one of the largest and greenest office, retail and residential areas in the nation.

"This is going to be one of the greenest sites in the country. This site is designed under the LEEDS certification for neighborhood development to have a platinum designation," said developer Patrick Turner. "There's no site in the country that has that."

The project may take eight years to complete, but it will bring thousands of jobs to the region. As enormous as the project is, it will actually have a positive impact upon the Chesapeake Bay, because part of the project includes the creation of new wetlands which will help to control runoff.

While this is a massive undertaking, there is still opportunity for the investor with lesser amounts of money to invest. The existing neighborhood of Westport is currently very run down, but with this new development it is surely to become a desirable place to live.

The best investment strategy would be to purchase, perform a light renovation suitable for a rental, hold the property while renting, and wait for the appreciation which is sure to occur. The current prices are low enough, that even with work, in some cases substantial, there should be room for a positive cash flow.

The link below shows some of the houses which are currently available as of 1-20-2010.

Westport Investment Properties

Call Ron Trzcinski at 410-935-5844 if you would like to move forward.

Baltimore Investors, Westport is Hot

I already posted about what is happening in the neighborhood of Westport in Baltimore City. I showed several houses which can now be purchased for under $75,000. All properties which could provide a positive cash flow as rentals.

Longer term they should see substantial appreciation as the development in this area progresses.

The link below shows similar houses to those found in Westport, but in neighborhoods which are around the Inner Harbor, where the Baltimore Renaissance has been well entrenched for several years now. These houses, none of which sold for less than $250,000, are an example of the potential for Westport.

Examples of Westport Potential

Here is my original post.

Baltimore City's Last Waterfront Community

It is the latest up and coming neighborhood in Baltimore City. Not only is it on the move, but it is a water front community.

The success of Baltimore's Inner Harbor is known throughout the country and even the world. But all of Baltimore's harbor is not developed. There is a section on the southwest side of town which is just beginning a serious development that may make it even more popular than the Inner Harbor.

This neighborhood is only minutes south of Ravens Stadium and Oriole Park. In fact, if all plans are put into place, it will be connected via the use of an old railroad swing bridge to the very popular Federal Hill, Locust Point, and Riverside Communities.

The neighborhood already has Light Rail running right through it to easily connect its citizens with BWI International Airport on the south and numerous points through the center of Baltimore all the way north to Hunt Valley.

Construction has begun on what currently has been dubbed "Green Harbor". This site will be one of the largest and greenest office, retail and residential areas in the nation.

"This is going to be one of the greenest sites in the country. This site is designed under the LEEDS certification for neighborhood development to have a platinum designation," said developer Patrick Turner. "There's no site in the country that has that."

The project may take eight years to complete, but it will bring thousands of jobs to the region. As enormous as the project is, it will actually have a positive impact upon the Chesapeake Bay, because part of the project includes the creation of new wetlands which will help to control runoff.

While this is a massive undertaking, there is still opportunity for the investor with lesser amounts of money to invest. The existing neighborhood of Westport is currently very run down, but with this new development it is surely to become a desirable place to live.

The best investment strategy would be to purchase, perform a light renovation suitable for a rental, hold the property while renting, and wait for the appreciation which is sure to occur. The current prices are low enough, that even with work, in some cases substantial, there should be room for a positive cash flow.

The link below shows some of the houses which are currently available as of 1-20-2010.

Westport Investment Houses

Call Ron Trzcinski at 410-935-5844 if you would like to move forward.