Southern Maryland Real Estate Blog & Homes For Sale http://www.somdexpert.com Your Source for Excellent Real Estate Information in Charles County, Maryland Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:03:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Problem With Detached Garages http://www.somdexpert.com/2012/01/13/the-problem-with-detached-garages/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2012/01/13/the-problem-with-detached-garages/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:08:38 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5380 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)

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2012/01/13/the-problem-with-detached-garages/feed/ 1 Waldorf, MD AMC Movie Theatre is FINALLY Getting a Renovation! http://www.somdexpert.com/2012/01/06/waldorf-amc-movie-theatre-is-finally-getting-a-renovation/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2012/01/06/waldorf-amc-movie-theatre-is-finally-getting-a-renovation/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:35:41 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5401 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!

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2012/01/06/waldorf-amc-movie-theatre-is-finally-getting-a-renovation/feed/ 1 Foreclosures For Sale in Charles County, MD http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/12/10/foreclosures-for-sale-in-charles-county-md/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/12/10/foreclosures-for-sale-in-charles-county-md/#comments Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:49:44 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5370 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)

  1. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 1,332 sq ft
    Lot size: 1,742 sq ft
    Year built: 1999
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 3
  2. 3 beds, 1 full bath
    Home size: 1,377 sq ft
    Lot size: 9,750 sq ft
    Year built: 1966
    Days on market: 4
  3. 3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 9,540 sq ft
    Year built: 1967
    Days on market: 4
  4. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 12,792 sq ft
    Year built: 2006
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 4
  5. 2 beds, 2 full baths
    Lot size: 7,666 sq ft
    Year built: 1990
    Days on market: 4
  6. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 8,581 sq ft
    Year built: 1989
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 6
  7. 4 beds, 2 full baths
    Lot size: 18,073 sq ft
    Year built: 1978
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 6
  8. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 1.79 ac
    Year built: 2003
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 8
  9. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 1,678 sq ft
    Year built: 1987
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 8
  10. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 2,614 sq ft
    Lot size: 12,997 sq ft
    Year built: 1971
    Days on market: 18
  11. 3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 13,189 sq ft
    Year built: 1970
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 18
  12. 2 beds, 1 full bath
    Home size: 672 sq ft
    Year built: 1943
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 20
  13. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 2,046 sq ft
    Lot size: 2.01 ac
    Year built: 1977
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 23
  14. 3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
    Year built: 1987
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 24
  15. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 7,150 sq ft
    Year built: 2005
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 30
  16. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 18,029 sq ft
    Year built: 1986
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 32
  17. 4 beds, 2 full baths
    Lot size: 8,510 sq ft
    Year built: 1977
    Days on market: 32
  18. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 7,807 sq ft
    Year built: 2005
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 36
  19. 3 beds, 1 full bath
    Year built: 1977
    Days on market: 36
  20. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Lot size: 9,496 sq ft
    Year built: 1979
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 39
  21. 5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 3.23 ac
    Year built: 2008
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 40
  22. 2 beds, 1 full bath
    Lot size: 37,069 sq ft
    Year built: 1945
    Days on market: 53
  23. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 5,077 sq ft
    Year built: 1994
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 55
  24. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,466 sq ft
    Lot size: 17,276 sq ft
    Year built: 2005
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 58
  25. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Lot size: 15,759 sq ft
    Year built: 1974
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 59
  26. 6 beds, 3 full baths
    Lot size: 1.01 ac
    Year built: 1985
    Days on market: 59
  27. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Lot size: 14,240 sq ft
    Year built: 1981
    Days on market: 60
  28. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 10,492 sq ft
    Year built: 1969
    Days on market: 63
  29. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Home size: 2,022 sq ft
    Lot size: 2.02 ac
    Year built: 1962
    Days on market: 63
  30. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 37,374 sq ft
    Year built: 1974
    Days on market: 64
  31. 3 beds, 0 baths
    Lot size: 23.94 ac
    Year built: 1900
    Days on market: 68
  32. 3 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths
    Year built: 1992
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 68
  33. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 8,313 sq ft
    Year built: 2006
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 74
  34. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 3.32 ac
    Year built: 1990
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 77
  35. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 43,560 sq ft
    Year built: 2008
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 84
  36. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,608 sq ft
    Lot size: 12,072 sq ft
    Year built: 1995
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 86
  37. 2 beds, 1 full bath
    Lot size: 4 sq ft
    Year built: 1942
    Days on market: 88
  38. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,101 sq ft
    Lot size: 13,000 sq ft
    Year built: 1987
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 89
  39. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 5.54 ac
    Year built: 1981
    Days on market: 108
  40. 5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,386 sq ft
    Lot size: 10,803 sq ft
    Year built: 2002
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 130
  41. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 2,792 sq ft
    Lot size: 3.02 ac
    Year built: 1992
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 136
  42. 5 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 4.93 ac
    Year built: 2004
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 142
  43. 4 beds, 4 full baths
    Lot size: 43,560 sq ft
    Year built: 1975
    Days on market: 143
  44. 5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 8,585 sq ft
    Year built: 2006
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 145
  45. 3 beds, 2 full baths
    Lot size: 3.30 ac
    Year built: 1980
    Days on market: 216
  46. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 8,662 sq ft
    Year built: 1989
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 216
  47. 4 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 12,091 sq ft
    Lot size: 12,091 sq ft
    Year built: 1999
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 226
  48. 3 beds, 1 full bath
    Lot size: 3.00 ac
    Year built: 1950
    Days on market: 243
  49. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Lot size: 46.89 ac
    Year built: 1940
    Parking spots: 1
    Days on market: 265
  50. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 2.00 ac
    Year built: 1945
    Days on market: 279

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/12/10/foreclosures-for-sale-in-charles-county-md/feed/ 0 Why Didn’t The Appraisal Meet The Sales Price? http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/12/08/why-didnt-the-appraisal-meet-the-sales-price/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/12/08/why-didnt-the-appraisal-meet-the-sales-price/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:05:53 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5350 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:

  1. Your house isn’t worth the contract price due to other recent sales in your area that were lower than yours.
  2. 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:

  1. The seller can agree with the buyer to lower the sales price to the appraised value
  2. 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
  3. 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.

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/12/08/why-didnt-the-appraisal-meet-the-sales-price/feed/ 0 A Word In Defense of Florida Rooms http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/28/a-word-in-defense-of-florida-rooms/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/28/a-word-in-defense-of-florida-rooms/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:42:51 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5335 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.

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/28/a-word-in-defense-of-florida-rooms/feed/ 3 Can A Foreclosure Settlement Be Delayed By The Bank Indefinitely? http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/18/can-a-foreclosure-settlement-be-delayed-by-the-bank-indefinitely/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/18/can-a-foreclosure-settlement-be-delayed-by-the-bank-indefinitely/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:47:54 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5329 REOI’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.

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/18/can-a-foreclosure-settlement-be-delayed-by-the-bank-indefinitely/feed/ 0 Sick of Foreclosures in Waldorf, MD? Check Out This Home Instead! http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/15/sick-of-foreclosures-in-waldorf-md-check-out-this-home-instead/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/15/sick-of-foreclosures-in-waldorf-md-check-out-this-home-instead/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:17:37 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5297 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!
Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880) Tiny photo for 2428 Pear Tree Ct, Waldorf, MD 20602 (MLS # CH7724880)

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)

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/11/15/sick-of-foreclosures-in-waldorf-md-check-out-this-home-instead/feed/ 0 Homeowner Takes Halloween to a Whole New Level http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/25/homeowner-takes-halloween-to-a-whole-new-level/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/25/homeowner-takes-halloween-to-a-whole-new-level/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:35:50 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5285 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:

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/25/homeowner-takes-halloween-to-a-whole-new-level/feed/ 0 Charles County May Be Getting A Youth Jail in Waldorf, MD? http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/21/charles-county-may-be-getting-a-youth-jail-in-waldorf-md/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/21/charles-county-may-be-getting-a-youth-jail-in-waldorf-md/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:35:42 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5272 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!

]]> http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/21/charles-county-may-be-getting-a-youth-jail-in-waldorf-md/feed/ 0 Bank of America Short Sales in Maryland Seem To Be Getting Easier http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/20/bank-of-america-short-sales-seem-to-be-getting-easier/ http://www.somdexpert.com/2011/10/20/bank-of-america-short-sales-seem-to-be-getting-easier/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:28:41 +0000 jonbenya http://www.somdexpert.com/?p=5261 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!

 

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