SCOPE PROJECT

Project Description

List of Properties For Sale

SCOPE Requirements & Specifications

Submitting a Contract to Purchase a SCOPE Property - Forms

Listing Agents' Contact Information

Cooperating Mortgage Lenders & Title Companies

SCOPE Project Listing Forms

SCOPE Project Sponsors

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The SCOPE (Selling City Owned Properties Efficiently) Project is designed to create a simplified and cost effective process for putting vacant and underutilized City-owned properties back into productive use. The program engages local real estate agents to list and sell the properties via the multiple listing service to responsible buyers, who will rehabilitate the properties within 18 months of the settlement. To view the list of properties available for purchase, click on this link: Properties and Listing Agents.

Please take the time to read the information contained on this page, so you have a clear understanding of the SCOPE requirements and to assure that your offer is properly prepared before it can be submitted to the City.

AGENTS - All of the information and forms you will need to submit an offer on a SCOPE property can be downloaded from this web page.   Contract offers must be submitted to the listing agent for their review, and may not be transmitted directly to the City.

PROSPECTIVE BUYERS - You have the right to be represented by a buyer's agent of your choosing. Your agent can arrange for you to see the property and they can prepare and submit your purchase offer to the listing agent.  If you choose not to be represented, you may contact the listing agent to arrange to see the property. The listing agent can fill out a contract offer on your behalf, but the listing agent cannot represent you as a buyer's agent, since they represent the seller (the City of Baltimore).

LIST OF PROPERTIES FOR SALE

SPECIAL NOTE: Prior to inspecting any SCOPE property, the Buyer's agent and/or the Buyer must complete, sign and fax or deliver to the Listing Agent a Hold Harmless and Right of Entry Agreement (Form H).

SCOPE Properties:http://static.baltimorehousing.org/pdf/scope.pdf

SCOPE Listing Agents: [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

SCOPE Opportunities: http://www.baltimorehousing.org/ps_developers_scope.asp

SCOPE REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

The primary purpose of the SCOPE project is to put the properties back into productive use and back on the City tax rolls. Therefore, all properties purchased through SCOPE must be rehabilitated and have a certificate of occupancy issued within eighteen (18) months of the date of settlement.  

Owner occupant purchasers are preferred for SCOPE listings designated as "Homeownership" properties. However, the properties may be purchased by an investor, if the investor agrees contractually, via deed restriction, to sell the property to an owner occupant once the rehab is complete. In the case of "Homeownership" designated properties, Owner Occupant buyers must agree to live in the property for a minimum of 18 months following the completion of the property rehabilitation in order to fulfill the homeownership requirement. A Homeownership Addendum, must be submitted with the Contract of Sale, for all properties designated as "Homeownership" properties.

SCOPE listings that do not have a "Homeownership" designation, also must be rehabbed within 18 months of settlement, but there is no requirement that the property be sold to an owner occupant, and there is not extended residency requirement.  These properties require a Rehabilitation Addendum to be submitted with the Contract of Sale.

The City will accept Cash offers on SCOPE properties, or offers utilizing an existing line of credit, provided that the buyer deposits into an escrow fund $20,000 over the purchase price, which will be released back to the purchaser as certain rehabilitation/construction benchmarks are completed (see the Cash Purchase Addendum). All buyers must show proof that sufficient funds are available to complete both the purchase and the rehabilitation of the property.

All properties listed through SCOPE, include an estimate of the total rehab costs for the property.The actual construction/rehab cost may vary up or down depending on the actual physical condition of the property and on the cost of the fixtures, materials and the fees paid for contractors and professional services. The City of Baltimore is not responsible or liable for any actual construction costs that differ from the cost estimates.

Purchasers of SCOPE properties utilizing a rehabilitation/purchase mortgage must be qualified, as evidenced by a lender pre-approval letter accompanying the purchase offer, for a purchase rehab loan in an amount sufficient to cover both the purchase price and the total estimated property rehab costs, as estimated by the City.

Prospective buyers must disclose any and all other real property they own on the Buyers Disclosure and Certification form, regardless of where or in what State the property is located. Ownership records will be checked against multi-state court judgments and outstanding housing violation notices and convictions.

SUBMITTING A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE A SCOPE PROPERTY

Contract offers must be submitted to the Listing Agents, and must be on the approved SCOPE forms, which can be downloaded from this page. The Check List form will guide you in preparing a purchase offer and making certain that the Contract of Sale is accompanied by the requisite forms.   The completed Check List must be submitted along with your complete Contract purchase offer. Incomplete Contract offers will not be accepted.

Two (2) original copies of the entire contract package must have original signatures, signed in BLUE INK... yes, BLUE INK!, two (2) additional photocopies of the entire contract package must also be submitted, for a total of four (4) complete contract packages that must be submitted.

Forms listed in bold lettering are required for all contract submissions, Underlined titles may or may not be required, depending upon the buyers' financing preference and whether the property is designated for "Homeownership." All other forms are to be utilized when necessary.   Unless otherwise noted forms are formatted for 8.5" X 11" paper.

SCOPE Contract of Sale (Form C) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

SCOPE FHA Financing Addendum (Form D1) [ pdf]   [ doc ]....Required if seeking FHA Financing

SCOPE Cash Purchase Addendum (Form D2) [ pdf ]   [ doc ] ....For Cash Purchase Offers Only

Buyers Disclosure and Certification (Form E) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Financial Information Sheet  (Form F) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]....Must show proof of income/cash sufficient to purchase

Ground Rent Addendum (Form G) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Hold Harmless and Right of Entry Agreement (Form H) [ pdf ]   [ doc ] ....Must be completed and signed prior to inspecting property

SCOPE Project Contract Check List (Form L) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Earnest Money Policy (Form M) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Homeownership Addendum (Form O) [ pdf ]   [ doc ] ....Required on Homeownership Properties

Property Condition Disclaimer and Inspection Policy (Form P) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Maryland Residential Disclosure (Form I) [ pdf ]   [ doc ] ....Copies of these Disclosure forms signed by the Seller MUST be obtained from the listing agent

Lead Paint Disclosure [ pdf ]

Rehabilitation Addendum (Form R) [ pdf ]   [ doc ] ....Required if not a Homeownership Property

Rehabilitation Affidavit (Form RA) [ pdf ]   [ doc ] ....Form to be signed at the settlement

General Amendment/Addendum (Form GA) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Add Buyer Addendum  (Form AB) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Remove Buyer Addendum (Form RB) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Settlement Date Extension Addendum (Form SE) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Termination of Contract (Form TC) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Certification of Completion (Form CC) [ pdf ]   [ doc ] ....To be submitted to City upon completion

Recommended Format for Lender's Letter [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

LISTING AGENTS' CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have questions about specific properties, or you are interested in submitting an offer on one or more properties, please contact the Listing Agents. The Property List includes the agent's name assigned to that specific property.

For a Roster of SCOPE Listing Agents click here: [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

At the present time, the SCOPE Project is not accepting applications for new SCOPE agents.

COOPERATING MORTGAGE LENDERS & TITLE COMPANIES

For a list of lenders that have financed SCOPE purchases in the past, click here: [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

For a list of title companies that have handled SCOPE transactions in the past, click here: [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Unless otherwise noted forms are formatted for 8.5" X 11" paper.

SCOPE PROJECT LISTING FORMS

Listing Agreement - Exclusive Right to Sell (Form A) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Comparative Market Analysis (Form CMA) 8.5X14 [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Hold Harmless and Right of Entry Agreement (Form H) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Maryland Residential Disclosure and Disclaimer Statement (Form I) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Property Condition Disclaimer and Inspection Policy (Form P) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Consent for Dual Agency SCOPE Project (Form DA) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

Listing Agreement Check List (Form LAC) [ pdf ]   [ doc ]

SCOPE PROJECT SPONSORS

The SCOPE Project is a cooperative venture between the City of Baltimore, the Baltimore Economy and Efficiency Foundation and The Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS®, Inc.

The Department of Housing and Community Development
H.M. Oscar Blackie
417 East Fayette St., Suite1001
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 396-4124
Oscar.Blackie@baltimorecity.gov

City of Baltimore
Walter Horton, Real Estate Officer
Real Estate Department
(410) 396-4771
Walter.Horton@baltimorecity.gov

The Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS®, Inc.
Joseph T. Landers, III
1306 Bellona Ave
Lutherville, Maryland 21093
(410) 337-7200
Jody@GBBR.org

Baltimore Economy and Efficiency Foundation
David Rudow
600 Mercantile Bank & Trust Bldg.
2 Hopkins Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21201-2927
(410) 539-5195
drudow@adelbergrudow.com