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The condo-building craze has hit Maryland in the last few years, a good example being that the number of Baltimore condos has been going up lately. As homebuyers of all ages are finding themselves priced out of the single-family and townhouse market, the scene has been set just right for the boom in the building or conversions of Baltimore condos.

The younger would-be homeowners are better able to afford condos while the older residents are attracted by the convenience and the lifestyle, living in such a community affords them. There are many first-time buyers that can take advantage of a lot of special programs, which allow them to buy one of the many Baltimore condos with a very small down payment, as little as 3 to 5 percent, as long as the buyer has good credit and can afford the monthly payments.

On the Baltimore condos market, condominium numbers are skyrocketing as lots of developers start building new ones and lots of conversions are being made. A lot of development is being made in Fells Point where certain developers are converting to condos and making the upgrades, or a management company may decide to sell to someone who is willing to handle the conversion and let him take care of all the upgrades. Oftentimes these new Baltimore condos are first offered to the original tenants and then to the general public. When apartment buildings are being converted into condos, the number of units tends to decrease, while the size increases, since few people would want to purchase a studio or efficiency; therefore it makes more sense to expand a one-bedroom place into the adjacent efficiency.

The number of Baltimore condos has increased last year by the conversion of the former Holy Cross Catholic School into condos and by the completing of the old South Baltimore General Hospital conversion into condos. Only the latter instance means that there are 67 more Baltimore condos available on the market, averaging between 600 square feet and 1200 square feet. These Baltimore condos typically have one bedroom, a living-dining area, kitchen, bathroom and office. Granite countertops have been put in and Barber carpets. The building is secure and there is even a small gym in the basement, and a parking garage is being built, which will considerably upgrade the convenience and the security of these Baltimore condos.

Those who find themselves inside the Washington Beltway, the prices, not surprisingly, are significantly higher, running from about $400 a square foot and going as high as $800 a square foot. The condos will include standard stainless steel appliances and Barber carpeting and ceramic tile floors, with the option of upgrading the carpeting to hardwood flooring. The fees will vary of course on the size of the unit and the number of amenities.

Baltimore condos aren't a lot behind on their D.C. counterparts in terms of price. The 32 upscale condo units of Bozzuto's Spinnaker Bay will range in size from 1,400 square feet to 4,000 square feet and come with fireplaces, upscale kitchens and breakfast rooms, a concierge service, fitness center and on-level parking. You couldn't ask more from any other of the Baltimore condos, but the starting prices of the se condos will begin somewhere in the $600,000s. Recently developer Mark Shapiro and his partner Mark Weinman bought an abandoned church and its adjacent buildings in Ridgely's Delight considering it for a rental property. But after watching the Baltimore condos market rocket in front of their eyes and seeing the increased demand for housing in the city, they decided to make the buildings into two-story townhouse condominiums.