Latest News

For a bit of fun Global Investments recently compiled a list of who we feel are the top 10 famous people that were either born, grew up or had their careers heavily influenced in Cleveland Ohio. As Baltimore Maryland is starting to get an increasing level of interest from investors worldwide and investment property sales are increasing every month we decided to compile a list of Baltimore’s most famous. Enjoy reading and see if there are any you are surprised by. 10. Babe Ruth George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. was born February 6th 1895 in Baltimore. Was at the top of his fame as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. Ruth is regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture and is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time. 9. Anna Faris Actress, voice artist, producer, podcaster, and author. Born 29th November 1976 in Baltimore. Faris rose to prominence for her work in comedic roles, particularly the lead part of Cindy Campbell in the Scary Movie films. Other than endless movies Faris has also had voice-over roles in the film franchises Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Alvin and the Chipmunks as well as The Emoji Movie. 8. Tom Clancy Thomas Leo Clancy Jr. was Born 12th April 1947 in Baltimore. an American novelist best known for his technically detailed espionage and military-science storylines set during and after the Cold War. If you love your gaming you will recognise his works such as the Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, and Splinter Cell however Tom is also responsible for hugely successful films such The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger and The Sum of All Fears. 7. Jada Smith Jada Pinkett Smith is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and businesswoman. Born 18th September 1971 in Baltimore. Married to A-List celebrity Will Smith, she has a production company, and has had producing credits in films, documentaries, and television series and has also wrote a children’s book. With many films also under her belt, ,most famously The Matrix Reloaded & The Matrix Revolutions. 6. Barry Levinson Born 6th April 1942 in Baltimore. Barry is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor. Levinson’s best-known works are films such as Diner, The Natural,Good Morning, Vietnam, Bugsy and Wag the Dog. His greatest career achievement was to win the Academy Award for Best Director for Rain Man. A fantastic classic film that also won the Academy Award for Best Picture 5. Spiro T Agnew Spiro Theodore Agnew Born 9th of November 1918 in Baltimore was the 39th vice president of the United States from 1969 until his resignation in 1973. In 1973, Agnew was investigated by the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland on suspicion of criminal conspiracy, bribery, extortion and tax fraud. Agnew took kickbacks from contractors during his time as Baltimore County Executive and Governor of Maryland. President Nixon followed less than a year later in the separate abuse-of-power scandal known as Watergate. For sure if there was a Global Investments Most INFAMOUS then Spiro T Agnew would be arguably number 1. 4. Montel Williams Born 3rd July 1956 in Baltimore Montel Brian Anthony Williams is a former American television personality, radio talk show host, and actor. He is best known as host of the long-running daytime talk show The Montel Williams Show, which ran in syndication from 1991 to 2008. Additionally, Williams is noted for his service in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy, from which he was honorably discharged after 15 years of service. 3. Wallis Simpson Wallis Simpson, later known as the Duchess of Windsor, was an American socialite whose intended marriage to the British king Edward VIII caused a constitutional crisis that led to Edward’s abdication. Wallis grew up in Baltimore. Wallis ( an American Divorcee ) met the King aged 34. Move forward nearly a century and our Price Harry just met aged 34 and subsequently married an American Divorcee ???…. Twilight Zone future episode ? 2. Michael Phelps Michael Fred Phelps is an American retired competitive swimmer Born 30th June 1985 in Baltimore. Michael is the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. Phelps also holds the all-time record for Olympic gold medals in individual events. The man is a living legend and I think must have been a Dolphin in a previous life. 1 David Hasselhoff David Michael Hasselhoff, nicknamed “The Hoff”, is an American actor, Born 17th July 1952 in Baltimore. Now many of you may be reading this and thinking…How can David Hasselhoff be number 1 over legends such as Babe Ruth and Wallis Simpson?…..How can he also beat Michael Phelps, His Olympic record may never be beaten ?? Well the answers is simple, I loved Knight Rider when I grew up and I have composed this top ten and it is not a democracy 🙂 The Hoff is a legend and Global Investments Number 1 most famous person from Baltimore. Thank you for reading my list, Michael Noddings.

2019 is going to be a huge year for Baltimore, the Federal Government have introduced a new policy to revolutionise the city and match investors wishes to Baltimores needs. It is called the BALTIMORE OPPORTUNITY ZONES In Baltimore there are many neighbourhoods which remain under-served and stagnant as compared to other thriving neighbourhoods. Under the new federal program the Government aims to bring investment and development into the different areas that need it,  savvy investors and city officials are working together to spark this economic activity. The Opportunity Zones tax incentive was included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act President Donald Trump signed into law in December 2018. The law gives tax benefits to investors that place unrealized capital gains into Opportunity Funds, which then invest in Opportunity Zones. On April 20, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development nominated 149 census tracts to be Opportunity Zones in Maryland. The U.S. Department of Treasury certified these 42 Baltimore tracts on May 18, 2018. Mayor Catherine Pugh and Housing Commissioner Michael Braverman announced their planned “new era of neighborhood investment” at her weekly press conference Feb. 27. One of the key points of the “new vision” is designated impact investment areas in four areas of the city. The East Baltimore zone includes Johnston Square, Broadway East, East Baltimore Midway and Coldstream Homestead Montebello. The West Baltimore zone includes Penn North, Druid Heights and Upton, all of which run along Pennsylvania Avenue. And the Southwest Baltimore zone includes Franklin Square, Poppleton, Union Square, Hollins Market, Mount Clare, Washington Village and Pigtown. Opportunity zone funds will allow private investors to place capital gains into a fund that can be used to upgrade and redevelop a community with new housing, retail and other commercial projects thus revitalising the area. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. is spearheading a nearly $500 million fund for equity and loans in opportunity zones. Weller Development is on the lookout for investors to help build Cyber Town USA. The development will, in turn, help boost surrounding areas like Cherry Hill, Brooklyn and Curtis Bay. Baltimore has struggled with population decline in the last few years but still there is a very strong rental market due to job growth, employment has significantly grown in areas like Healthcare and Education. Combine this with a widening gap between rent and mortgages and an increase in home prices, it’s plain to see why investors are interested in Baltimore for rental properties. The city is also starting to attract investment, according to Marcus & Millichap, from investors in major metros, such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Developers are primarily targeting areas in and around downtown Baltimore. Strong demand on the east side of the city has driven the vacancy rate there down 110 basis points over the past four quarters. That is why “Opportunity Zones” policy was implemented, there is sufficient demand for rental property but not enough turn key stock, areas and properties need to be revitalised to facilitate the high demand for rentals. Baltimore offers an exciting opportunity to get in low before it starts going up and up.