The Problem With Detached Garages

January 13th, 2012 // filed under: Buying a Home, First Time Home Buyers, Home Upgrades, Home Value, MD, Selling a Home, Southern Maryland

SOMDExpert

I've been planning to build a detached garage for some time now. It was on my list of things I wanted when I bought a house last year, but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be.  I know own a beautiful house, but I have no garage. The lack of a garage is a pretty serious issue, for me at least.  Not...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // 1 Comment »

Waldorf, MD AMC Movie Theatre is FINALLY Getting a Renovation!

January 6th, 2012 // filed under: Charles County, MD, Saint Charles, Southern Maryland, Waldorf

SOMDExpert

It's time to get excited, Charles County! The AMC Lowes [spatialmatch_popup id=2 appearance=button width=100% height=550]movie theater[/spatialmatch_popup] in St. Charles Towne Centre is getting a much needed makeover!  AMC plans to spend $4.5 Million to finally make this theater decent again.  I've hated going there the past few years, i fact I can't even recall the last time I actually sat through...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // 1 Comment »

Foreclosures For Sale in Charles County, MD

December 10th, 2011 // filed under: Buying a Home, First Time Home Buyers, Foreclosures

SOMDExpert

Foreclosures can be a great deal when it comes to searching for a home in Charles County, MD.  I have taken the trouble to put together a list of every foreclosure property in Charles County, MD to help YOU find the best deal on the market! Finding foreclosures for sale is my specialty, and this list will be updated daily, so...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // Leave A Comment

Why Didn’t The Appraisal Meet The Sales Price?

December 8th, 2011 // filed under: Appraisal, Buying a Home, Selling a Home

SOMDExpert

Getting a bad appraisal hurts.  When an appraisal comes in below the agreed sales price, it can throw an entire contract right out the window.  It doesn't necessarily have to happen that way, but it is a distinct possibility. First, let's look at the "WHY" when it comes to an appraisal.  A low appraisal means one of two things: Your house isn't...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // Leave A Comment

A Word In Defense of Florida Rooms

November 28th, 2011 // filed under: Humor, MD, Off Topic

SOMDExpert

Are Florida rooms really that bad? A Realtor in Arizona, Elizabeth Newlin, recently wrote a howling criticism of Florida rooms called "A Bitch Slap Regarding Arizona Rooms", and I feel compelled to write a rebuttal to her commentary, because it's obvious that she just doesn't "get it". It's probably not her fault; after all she calls these sunny, enclosed spaces "Arizona Rooms",...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // 3 Comments »

Can A Foreclosure Settlement Be Delayed By The Bank Indefinitely?

November 18th, 2011 // filed under: Foreclosures, MD, Southern Maryland

SOMDExpert

I'm in the midst of an unfortunate (but not entirely uncommon) situation with a bank owned foreclosure in Southern Maryland, and I thought it might be useful to share it with you.  I'm in the process of buying a bank owned foreclosure (REO) that I went under contract on at the beginning of October.  I was scheduled to go to...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // Leave A Comment

Sick of Foreclosures in Waldorf, MD? Check Out This Home Instead!

November 15th, 2011 // filed under: Buying a Home, Charles County, MD, Southern Maryland, Waldorf, Waldorf Homes For Sale

SOMDExpert

This home is the nicest property you can find in Wakefield! Huge granite counters, a GIGANTIC master bedroom with walk-in closet and master bath, and a huge Florida room addition to the home as well! No expense has been spared, as this home includes an in-ground sprinkler system, wireless alarm system, beautiful flooring and plenty of space! This home is move-in...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // Leave A Comment

Homeowner Takes Halloween to a Whole New Level

October 25th, 2011 // filed under: Humor, Off Topic

SOMDExpert

Christmas lights are a long held tradition, but Halloween lights?  It sounds like a crafty way to sell more seasonal goods at the local department store to me.  One homeowner in California, however, has taken the idea of putting up lights and decorations for Halloween to a whole new level. This sort of display requires planning on an epic scale, and...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // Leave A Comment

Charles County May Be Getting A Youth Jail in Waldorf, MD?

October 21st, 2011 // filed under: Charles County, MD, Southern Maryland, Waldorf

SOMDExpert

Waldorf, Maryland is not the same little town it was when I was growing up.  Things change.  People change, towns change, and sometimes it's not always a change for the better.  There's a proposal to put a youth jail in Waldorf right now; this is one of those big changes. The proposed location would be situated on Acton Lane in Waldorf,...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // Leave A Comment

Bank of America Short Sales in Maryland Seem To Be Getting Easier

October 20th, 2011 // filed under: MD, Selling a Home, Short Sales, Southern Maryland

SOMDExpert

I can't believe what I'm about to write:  Bank of America short sales are actually getting easier!  I just got approval on a short sale with them in under 50 days!  (This is where I break out into spontaneous dance, much to the embarrassment of my co-workers.). Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a big deal, we get approvals with them all the...

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posted by Jonathan Benya // Leave A Comment