Author Archive
The Problem With Detached Garages
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 having one is simply not a long term option as far as I’m concerned. With that being said, I’m now in the process of getting permits pulled to build one(I’m less than thrilled, but what can you do?). With the upcoming construction of my new garage, I will be committing one of the cardinal sins of home ownership: DON’T OVER-IMPROVE YOUR HOME!
Make no mistake, a detached garage can be a beautiful thing. I love a good man-cave as much as the next guy, but on a dollar-for-dollar re-sale basis, my future automotive showroom is going to make me bleed red ink.
Odds are good that my garage project will cost in the neighborhood of $30,000. From a resale perspective, it’s probably only worth an additional 5%-8% of value for my home, which would add $10,000-$16,000. It’s safe to assume that I will end up losing half of the money I put into the project when it comes to selling the home. The issue is not with the quality of construction or size, but rather it’s a limited benefit to my home’s future owner.
I have a need for the space. Where else could I store an antique car safely with it’s own security system? Most people don’t care for that sort of thing, so if you’re like me and in need of a private, detached space for your vehicles, knock your socks off, but don’t expect a dollar-for-dollar return when it’s time to sell your home.
(photo courtesy of EPA Smart Growth via Flickr CC)
Waldorf, MD AMC Movie Theatre is FINALLY Getting a Renovation!
It’s time to get excited, Charles County!
The AMC Lowes 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 a movie in the old theater.
The changes include a complete redesign of the lobby, concessions, bathrooms, and theaters. It’s all scheduled to be completed sometime this summer, and plans include power leather reclining seats, Sony digital projectors and even perhaps an I-MAX!
Anyone who lives in the Waldorf area should be thrilled with the upcoming changes, I know I am! I remember when the theater was built, and attending movies every month during my high school years, but it’s difficult to justify the ticket prices in recent years when other theaters in the DMV region are offering newer, cleaner theaters with reclining stadium seats and digital video quality.
Honestly, it’s a pain in the you-know-what to drive 30 miles to another theater just for better amenities, but lots of people do it. It’s a huge relief to see that AMC has finally recognized the problem and they’re willing to spend millions of dollars to fix it!
Foreclosures For Sale in Charles County, MD
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 bookmark this page to keep up to date on all the latest foreclosures in Charles County!
Showing properties
1 - 50 of 55.
See more Foreclosures in Charles County, MD.
(all data current as of
2/7/2012)
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$159,399 : 2537 Bolinbrook Ct, Bryans Road3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$109,900 : 1019 Floyd Ave, Waldorf3 beds, 1 full bath
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$141,000 : 901 Stone Ave, Waldorf3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
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$316,800 : 3374 Bushmill Pl, White Plains4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$68,000 : 108 Ellerbe Dr, Indian Head2 beds, 2 full baths
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$184,900 : 3 Kenrick Ct, Indian Head4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
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$188,600 : 1200 Addison Ct, Waldorf4 beds, 2 full baths
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$429,900 : 8225 Tiverton Dr, Port Tobacco4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
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$110,000 : 6079 Tapir Pl, Waldorf3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$189,000 : 4504 Orleans Ln, Waldorf4 beds, 3 full baths
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$103,000 : 1126 Hamlin Rd, Waldorf3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
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$34,900 : 22 Greenwood Pl, Indian Head2 beds, 1 full bath
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$260,000 : 2945 Mill Hill Rd, Waldorf3 beds, 2 full baths
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$85,000 : 2040 Tanglewood Dr, Waldorf3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
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$274,900 : 9452 Biltmore St, Waldorf4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$299,900 : 22b Finch Ct, La Plata4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
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$179,900 : 1108 Bannister Cir, Waldorf4 beds, 2 full baths
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$249,900 : 8640 Queensway Ct, White Plains4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$94,900 : 4813 Underwood Ct, Waldorf3 beds, 1 full bath
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$166,500 : 10654 Water Hickory Ct, Waldorf3 beds, 2 full baths
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$365,000 : 9260 Gunston Rd, Welcome5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
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$109,500 : 2805a Stavors Rd, Waldorf2 beds, 1 full bath
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$169,900 : 5407 Tilapia Ct, Waldorf3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$272,000 : 6751 Periwinkle Pl, Bryans Road4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$199,990 : 9308 Overlook Cir, Newburg3 beds, 2 full baths
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$99,500 : 4010 Old Washington Rd, Waldorf6 beds, 3 full baths
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$139,900 : 903 Charles St, La Plata3 beds, 2 full baths
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$199,000 : 1202 Adams Rd, Waldorf4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$380,000 : 314 Parran Ln, Indian Head3 beds, 2 full baths
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$189,905 : 10465 Steven Ln, La Plata4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$225,000 : 9550 Faulkner Rd, Faulkner3 beds, 0 baths
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$145,900 : 11306h Golden Eagle Pl, Waldorf3 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths
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$269,900 : 2950 Merchant Ct, Waldorf4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$309,900 : 15313 Bassford Rd, Waldorf3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$239,900 : 4100 Vineyard Pl, Marbury4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$299,900 : 10493 Sagebrush Ct, Waldorf4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$69,900 : 18117 Piedmont Dr, Cobb Island2 beds, 1 full bath
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$164,900 : 6216 Panther Ct, Waldorf4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
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$175,000 : 4065 Doncaster Dr, Indian Head3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$240,000 : 2282 Woodberry Dr, Bryans Road5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
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$264,900 : 4255 Hilltop Ct S, Brandywine4 beds, 3 full baths
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$299,900 : 6750 Barney Dr, Hughesville5 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$239,900 : 7855 Port Tobacco Rd, Port Tobacco4 beds, 4 full baths
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$355,900 : 7550 Tottenham Dr, White Plains5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
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$79,900 : 4072 Green Spring St, Waldorf3 beds, 2 full baths
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$224,900 : 6727 Dolphin Ct, Waldorf4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$180,400 : 5508 Auburn Ct, Bryans Road4 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths
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$71,900 : 14977 Rock Point Rd, Newburg3 beds, 1 full bath
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$799,000 : 7050 Tanyard Pl, Hughesville4 beds, 3 full baths
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$189,900 : 4430 Livingston Rd, Indian Head4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Why Didn’t The Appraisal Meet The Sales Price?
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 worth the contract price due to other recent sales in your area that were lower than yours.
- The appraiser made a mistake.
You can always request a review of the appraisal if you think the appraiser made a mistake, but you (or your agent) are going to need to back that claim up with proof, i.e. other recent sales that the appraiser may have missed or omitted and the reason why you think there was an error. Hopefully the appraiser can justify changing the appraised value and the sale can continue on as normal. If not, then there are still options:
- The seller can agree with the buyer to lower the sales price to the appraised value
- The seller can ask the buyer to pay the difference, but understand they cannot finance that overage and would need to pay the difference in cash
- The seller and the buyer can release the contract, and try and sell the house to someone else.
None of these options are ideal, unfortunately. If you lower the sales price, that means the seller is going to make less money from the transaction, possibly thousands less. If you ask the buyer to pay the difference, they are not obligated to say yes, and they may choose to walk away from the contract and find another home. If you do end up releasing the contract, the seller may run into another problem with the appraisal.
Some types of appraisals are actually attached to your house, possibly for as long as 6 months! If the seller tries to sell it to someone else, their appraiser may be able to see the old appraisal, preventing them from writing one which is higher (and more favorable to the seller). This could make all of the seller’s work trying to sell the house to someone else a worthless endeavor, so make sure you check that before cutting a contract loose.
A Word In Defense of Florida Rooms
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”, as if Arizona was the place that invented such spaces. Unfortunately, they’re an east coast creation, and her literary barbs are slightly mis-directed.
Out in Maryland we know of these home spaces as “Florida Rooms”, and rightfully so. I would imagine that the Arizona heat has probably cooked Elizabeth’s brain a bit too long, or she has never experienced they joy of living in a swampy, wet region of the country. Florida rooms are an essential part of a luxury home, and quite often the only barrier between homeowner and insect during the warm summer months.
Do they not have mosquitoes in Arizona? If not, I would be more than happy to have the local population shipped to her, free of charge, so that she can enjoy the constant, putrid summer scent of bug repellant on her skin, citronella candles burning on the porch, and the incessant crackling of the bug zapper struggling to keep up with the incoming horde.
Without a Florida room, the summertime experience in Washington wouldn’t be complete without Benadryl on hand to reduce the swelling from the dozens of bug bites you are sure to incur, but there’s more to it than just that. I’ve heard that Arizona isn’t exactly familiar with what 2 feet of snow looks like. No worries, we can correct that too. We’d be more than happy to trade winters with Arizona and watch them struggle to dig themselves out of the next blizzard! In the wintertime a Florida rooms acts as the perfect location to place a hot tub. Nobody like to trudge through the snow in a bathing suit to jump in, and without a Florida room, that’s exactly what us in Suburban D.C. would be forced to do. Being that we’re not exactly fans of Pneumonia ~OR~ Hypothermia, we like to keep our hot tubs in an enclosed space.
Arizona wouldn’t know anything about that though. The weather out there has spoiled them, and just because a Florida room is wasted space in THEIR state, it’s a welcome addition in OURS. You see, we get rainfall more than a dozen times a year, we see blizzards in the winter, and yes, we might have a slight insect control problem, but our Florida rooms are the salvation from all of that. Just don’t ask someone from Arizona, they wouldn’t understand.
Can A Foreclosure Settlement Be Delayed By The Bank Indefinitely?
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 settlement on November 4th. As of November 18th, I still do not have possession of the house.
I got through the loan process just fine, my lender has me fully approved and ready to go to settlement. The reason we haven’t closed on the house is because the Bank that owns it is missing paperwork. The paperwork they are missing is the proof that they actually own the house and have the right to sell it to me. That’s right, they can’t prove the really own it.
I’d like to think that I’m somehow special. It would be great if I could use my Realtor super-powers and demand they either fix this immediately or compensate me somehow for the inconvenience (and added cost) of extending loan locks, property certifications, moving delay expenses, etc. It would be nice if they acknowledged the fact I am living out of boxes eating take-out because my kitchen is completely packed.
When Thanksgiving comes next week, I’m fairly certain the bank reps will be at home spending thanksgiving with their families crowded around a big turkey and cranberry sauce. I’d love to be doing the same, but instead I’m calling my family to apologize for canceling dinner at the last minute because I still haven’t moved into my new home.
So what is a buyer to do? If the settlement were delayed because I wasn’t ready, I’d be forced to spend $150 per day to extend the settlement. Because the bank selling the property is at fault, The only recourse I have is to cancel the contract or sign another extension and wait. I don’t have the right to charge them a daily fee for screwing this up, and there’s no telling when they’re going to get this whole mess straightened out. As for me, it looks like I’ll be doing Thanksgiving at the Hunan Garden this year.
Sick of Foreclosures in Waldorf, MD? Check Out This Home Instead!
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 ready, in great condition!
Best of all, this home is not a foreclosure -OR- a short sale! You owe it to yourself to check this gorgeous home out!
2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880)
(all data current as of 2/7/2012)| Price | $300,000 |
|---|---|
| Beds | 4 |
| Baths | 2 full, 1 half |
| Home size | n/a |
| Lot Size | 7,214 sq ft |
| Days on Market | 89 |
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 ready, in great condition!
Property Type(s): Residential for Sale, Detached for Sale
| Last Updated | 1/10/2012 | Tract | St Charles Wakefield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 1979 | Community | n/a |
| Garage Spaces | 1.0 | County | Charles |
| Total Parking | 1 | Walk Score ® |
15
|
Additional Details
| Original List Price | 300000.0 | Fireplaces | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stories | 2 | Year Built | 1979 |
| Baths Full | 2 | Baths Half | 1 |
| Living Area | 0 | HOA Fee | 450.0 |
| Lot Size Area | 7214 | Zoning Code | PUD |
| Parking Included | Y | Garage | 1 |
| Subdivision | ST CHARLES WAKEFIELD | Election District | 6 |
| County | CHARLES | Tax Legal Subdivision | ST CHARLES WAKEFIELD |
| Total Assessment | 267000.0 | Assessment Year | 2011 |
| County Tax | 2867.58 | Total Taxes | 3142.46 |
| Tax Year | 2010 |
Features
| Amenities | Auto Gar Dr Opn, Granite Counters, Master Walk-in Closet, MBR-BA Full, W/W Carpeting, Walk-in Closet(s) |
|---|---|
| Appliances | Dishwasher, Dryer, Microwave, Refrigerator, Stove, Washer |
| Attic | No |
| Basement | N |
| Cooling | Central A/C |
| Dining Kitchen | Kit-Island, Kit-Table Space |
| Disclosures | Expt-disclos/disclaim |
| Exterior | Vinyl Siding |
| Exterior Features | Fenced-Rear, Udrgrd Lwn Sprnklr |
| Garage Type | Attached |
| Heating | Heat Pump(s) |
| Heating Fuel | Electric |
| HOA | Y |
| HOA Payment Freq | Annually |
| Hot Water | Electric |
| Lis Media List | Photo |
| Parking | Garage |
| Possession | Immediate |
| Potential Short Sale | No |
| Property Type | Residential |
| Special Tax Assessment Payment Freq | Annually |
| Style | Colonial |
| SubSystemLocale | MRIS_MAIN |
| SystemLocale | MRIS |
| Type | Detached |
| ValidationStatus | GEO_1_ExactMatch |
Location
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Listed with Keller Williams Preferred
(view all details for MLS #CH7724880)
Homeowner Takes Halloween to a Whole New Level
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 the owner has been putting on a show like this for years. Expensive? Yeah, but his Halloween decorations are probably cooler than our could ever hope to be, which makes it totally awesome.
See The Video Below:
Charles County May Be Getting A Youth Jail in Waldorf, MD?
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, east of Old Washington Rd. If you were to pick a location in Waldorf for such a facility, it’s the most obvious choice. The biggest downside to it is the proximity to the White Oak Village subdivision and the 300 homes that are within a half mile of the proposed location.
I haven’t decided what side of the barbed-wire fence I’m on just yet, but others certainly have, and they’re trying to make their voices heard. The concerns are obvious; who wants to live next to a jail? I certainly don’t and I’m sure the nice folks that live in White Oak Village don’t like the idea of underage rapscallions being incarcerated right behind their house. (Yes, I just used the word “rapscallion”, I promise that’s the limit to my verbosity in this post.)
What we’re talking about here is not a center to house hundreds of juvenile offenders. We’re talking about a facility that will house a few dozen. We’re also talking about creating about 120 new, permanent jobs in the county, and that’s coming at a time where jobs can be hard to come by. I’m curious to see how this plays out. If you’re against the idea of seeing a jail in Waldorf, head over to stopwaldorfjail.com and let them know that they have your support!
Bank of America Short Sales in Maryland Seem To Be Getting Easier
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 time, but it’s the circumstances that really make this important. As they say the devil is in the details. This approval was for both the first and second mortgage, with no money out of my clients pocket, the client has never missed a payment, AND they’re being given $3,000 in relocation assistance thanks to the Home Affordability Foreclosure Alternative Program (HAFA).
Two years ago this short sale wouldn’t have even been possible, but banks are anxious to avoid foreclosure here in Maryland, and that shows when it comes to their short sale properties.
Days like today remind me of why I love my job so much.
Have questions about doing a short sale in Maryland? Contact us here for help!
Jon Benya Keller Williams of Southern Maryland
tel (301) 653-8113
fax (301) 632-5481
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