Vacant houses for $1? Baltimore proposal would fix low prices for some city-owned homes

Under a new proposal from Baltimore’s Department of Housing and Community Development, city-owned vacant homes could be sold for $1 — but only in certain neighborhoods, and if specific conditions are met. The proposal, scheduled to go before Baltimore’s spending board next week, is intended to simplify sale negotiations for city-owned vacant properties by setting fixed prices. It applies to vacant homes and lots in the city neighborhoods with the most “stressed” housing markets, featuring lower sales prices, and higher rates of foreclosure and vacancy.