Southern Maryland Real Estate

YAY!!! GOOGLE LOVES ME!!!!

2008-07-26T13:29:03Z

I might be what you call stubborn, I admit. perhaps even compulsive I do my best to try and avoid obsessing over trivial things. Try though I might, I have been consistently irritated by google's continued persistence to rank my weblog, http://www.teambenya.com with little more than a page rank of 2.

Who cares, right? I've got over 1,000 inbound links. I have over 100 people visiting my little corner of the web each and every day. I get phone calls from new clients daily, wanting to hire me. That's what it's all about, right? Getting the business, making clients happy, and blogging about it the whole way?

If my clients "get it", and I "get it" (or at least I think I do), why doesn't Google "get it". Don't they know my website is a valuable resource for people in my area? What do I need to do to get a high page rank??? Barring ritual sacrifice to the google gods, I'm out of ideas!

Well, as of today, I'm not out of ideas anymore. I happened to browse my site this morning, and lo and behold, my little page rank meter is now up to 3! HOORAY!!!

What does it mean? Not much, really. But I feel better about myself! I feel like my SEO efforts are somehow more "valid" becaose my PR is increasing. Will it translate to more business? Probably not, but if I see a spike in views/calls, I'll let you know!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St.
La Plata, MD 20646
301-653-8116
301-609-9000
http://www.teambenya.com

Time Out for Fun!

2008-07-26T13:14:27Z

This weekend I'm in my office working, although I'd rather be out driving down the back roads of Southern Maryland.

Last weekend I actually forced myself to take a day off and enjoy driving; all the way to Pittsburgh.

I ended up at the Pittsburgh Vintage Gran Prix, and although I didn't have the time to stop by the "O" for a heaping helping of fries, I still had a pretty good time!

Link to: Vintage Gran Prix Race and Show Photos

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St.
La Plata, MD 20646
301-653-8116
301-609-9000
http://www.teambenya.com

Is Granite A Health Hazard?

2008-07-24T12:42:47Z

Yes, I know that they're expensive, but killing your wallet is one thing. I'm talking about your health on this one! The NY Times posted an article today about granite countertops. In an era where everything we do and eat is potentially hazardous to our health, what's one more household risk, right?

You see, Granite emits VERY MINOR levels of radiation. In a few rare cases granite emits higher than average levels, and the EPA is apparently seeing a rise in calls from home inspectors regarding the safety of our beloved counter finishes.

“It’s not that all granite is dangerous,” said Stanley Liebert, the quality assurance director at CMT Laboratories in Clifton Park, N.Y., who took radiation measurements at Dr. Sugarman’s house. “But I’ve seen a few that might heat up your Cheerios a little.”

Perhaps it could be marketed as a selling feature(You'll never need to use the stove!), but realistically the odds of your own counters being risky is remote. If you're concerned about it, your best bet is to get a radon inspector out to your home to test your homes' radiation levels. It should probably run you about $100-$300 dollars, and you'll know for sure if there's a problem.

It begs the question: "How long will it take to cook an egg on a counter like this?"

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St.
La Plata, MD 20646
301-653-8116
301-609-9000
http://www.teambenya.com

Is Good News Afoot? Charles County, MD Real Estate Market Report July, 2008

2008-07-24T10:36:50Z

Could it be? Is the real estate market in Charles County Maryland actually looking up? It's to early to tell right now, and the pressure caused by recent interest rate increases has pushed loan applications down 6% over the last week, and pending sales are down right now as well.

I know what you're thinking: if rates are rising and pending sales have fallen, what the heck is the good news, right? well, there's a few early indicators here that might just be good news for struggling sellers!

Sales Volume

First off, Sales are up. Not by much, but we are seeing a few more sales each month, and that number is slowly (VERY SLOWLY) rising, but it's going up none the less, which is a start.

Inventory

Second, the number of available home has stopped rising over the last 3 months. It's even (Dare I say it?) Dropping. This is important because it shows that the skyrocketing supply of available homes has started to drop. Remember real estate is all about supply and demand, and right now we need to see that supply drop!

Prices

Prices and Values are a bit of mixed nuts right now. The average sold price rose to $330k, while the median fell to $300k. Oddities like this are to be expected while drastic market shifts are happening. The long and short of it is that homes under $300k are moving the most, but the stagnation we've seen in the $400k+ range is finally starting to move a bit. This means the average sales price trends higher even though cheaper homes are selling faster.

Time On Market

Also, note the the average time on market (DOM) jumped above 140. When you look at this in relation to the volume of available properties, it tells us that fewer and fewer people are putting their homes up for sale, and that more people may be willing to wait the market out.

Summary

I'm not ready to start shouting that the market has recovered; we've still got a long road ahead of us. It's signs like this that may indicate slowly improving conditions, if this is just a blip, we'll see numbers fall along with the interest rate hikes and coming fall sales market. Stay tuned!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St.
La Plata, MD 20646
301-653-8116
301-609-9000
http://www.teambenya.com

Is Charles County Robbing Peter to Pay Paul with Rosewick Road?

2008-07-22T10:22:11Z

When Charles County started the Rosewick Road project, the budget for Phase 2 was supposed to total $5.7 million dollars. Add an extra $432,000 to that, and don't forget that the project was due for completion in April of LAST YEAR. They are estimating that April of 2009 will be the targeted completion date with the unanticipated cost overruns.

The County is pouring TONS of cash into this project, essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul ($282K came from the upcoming Phase 3 Budget, and 150K came from the Western Parkway Upgrade budget, Sorry Guys!) Don't forget that Capital Services is anticipating further cash injections in order to get the work done, while the Commissioners are "hoping" that Phase 3 comes in under budget.

In all honesty, if Phase 2 has been such a financial mess, what leads people to believe that Phase 3 will be any better? The Phase 3 budget is currently $5.9 Million (Minus that pesky $282k, naturally), and construction costs are rising with inflation. Anyone else see a problem here?

I agree that the Roadway needs to be improved, but how much of this is for the County's current benefit, and how much of this work is being done for the benefit of upcoming developers' projects?

Got Mold? Know Your Options (And protect your health) When Buying a Home!

2008-07-11T17:39:14Z

You may or may not be surprised to find out there are quite a few foreclosures on the market in Charles County, Prince George's County, and Southern Maryland that are suffering from mold problems. I've found myself walking into homes on more than one occasion that had serious mold growths that were not mentioned when I made the appointment to view the home. Perhaps agents don't realize the health/legal risk they are putting themselves in, and the risk to other agents, buyers, etc.; or perhaps they don't care.

Because I work with foreclosure buyers on a regular basis, I see homes with mold every week. Often times my clients will ask me what to do about mold growth because they REALLY like the house and the price it's listed at.

The answer is simple: They REALLY like the price because mold problems can be REALLY expensive to rectify. We all know that mold likes to grow in dark, damp places, right? It's a safe bet to assume that if you see mold growing on the walls in a home, the growth is probably much worse on the inside of the wall. If the mold growth is due to basement flooding, is there any chance that mold is growing around the heater or air conditioning unit? If so, it's possible that mold could be creeping up the ductwork.

My recommendation is this: If you're looking to buy a home and it has a mold problem, the safest bet is to just move on. Why risk your health and well-being to save a few bucks on a home? (Bear in mind that molds such as Stachybotris are carcinogenic and have been known to cause respiratory problems, headaches and bloody noses with short-term exposure. This stuff is potentially lethal!)

If you're determined to purchase, get air quality samples taken and tested. Have a remediation specialist evaluate the home and explain the cost of repairs/removal. Spraying bleach on the mold and calling it a day doesn't quite cut it. Mold can and will grow back if not properly treated and removed.

I don't want to sound like a doomsayer, but in all honesty, why on earth would anyone want to place themselves and their health in such a high-risk situation?

Also, bear in mind that if a home is being sold as-is and the owner or listing agent knows that there is a mold problem, they are REQUIRED to disclose that information. It's what we call a "material defect" in the home. Not disclosing that sort of information can lead to some pretty serious lawsuits, so it's important for Realtors to understand this and "do the right thing"!

~Jonathan Benya

Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Jaw Dropping Home in Columbia, MD for Sale!

2008-07-11T17:33:21Z

Words cannot describe the beauty of this home located in Columbia, MD!! From the soothing ponds and waterfalls flowing through the backyard to the majestic bedroom suites, this home has it all! The kitchen boasts not only your enormous granite counters, but also absolute top of the line appliances from the huge sub-zero fridge to the stainless steel viking stove!

Let the kids play in the attic loft while you relax in the basement fitness room, complete with floor to ceiling mirrors on the walls, or enjoy a bottle of vino in your own wine cellar!

If relaxing on the patio is more your style, you can enjoy an evening by the gas fire pit on the patio, and enjoy the splendor of a fully fenced back yard that backs to trees for a uniquely private setting, on nearly 2 acres of land.

With 6 bedrooms, 6 full baths, 2 half baths, there's plenty of space for the whole family! On top of that you have two separate garages(both of them will fit 2 cars easily), and fireplaces nestled throughout the home. You deserve a home fit for a king, and this is it!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-653-8116
www.teambenya.com

View More Photos of this gorgeous home!

Join This Home on Facebook and Schedule a Showing!

Another One Bites the Dust: Caruso Homes Files for Bankruptcy

2008-06-29T12:58:03Z

As you may already know, KB Homes has pulled out of the region, Shuttering the Middletown Woods sub-division and putting the land they hold up for sale. It was a blow to local builder confidence, and now it looks like there's more evidence of how much some builders are struggling in this tough market: Caruso Homes has filed for Bankruptcy.

Supposedly they are doing this to re-structure rather than close-up shop. If it's a way for them to bring down their prices, great. Take a look at their current prices, and you'll notice that they're flat out too high. Filing bankruptcy sheds light on an interesting phenomenon: Builders profits have been cut to the core. Bankruptcy means that Caruso cannot slash their prices any further at this point without drastic measures.

Will this allow Caruso Homes to drop their prices further? Definitely! At the same time, I'm sure it's going to upset the folks they owe money to. ($500,000 from 84 Lumber alone!). As soon as Caruso announces their price reductions, I'll let you guys know. Stay tuned for more on that!

Rosewick Crossing is Growing in La Plata, MD

2008-06-16T10:17:15Z

It's amazing how much commercial growth is happening in La Plata, MD, and Charles County in general. Rosewick Crossing is the latest addition to La Plata's shopping choices. As you may or may not know, Lowe's hardware store has already opened, and construction on the Giant grocery store is wrapping up as I speak type.

What I didn't realize about the shopping center is that there seems to be a ton of space for smaller retailers in addition to the anchor stores that are already in. I like the convenience that all of this new development creates, but in a way I sort of miss the "old" La Plata. (You know, pre-tornado times?)

It's all part of a larger plan that includes the addition of roughly 3,000 new homes along Rosewick Rd, so I imagine that there's not going to be any shortage of shoppers for the new complex once that development gets off the ground.

Charges Brought in Maryland Mortgage Scam

2008-06-13T11:58:20Z

It looks like things are moving forward with the case against Joy Jenise Jackson (formerly known as a stripper named Night Rider), Kurt Fordham, and The Metropolitan Money Store.

Remember them? They're the one's accused of "saving" people from foreclosure, while stripping their equity out from under them, and leaving the victims in financial turmoil.

Former Stripper Joy J. Jackson Ran Foreclosure Rescue Scam
Uploaded by Scambuster2007

Well, now they've decided to press charges against 8 people, including Joy Jackson and Kurt Fordham, and (provided that the accused can be located), we may finally see some closure to this bizarre tale. It's bad enough that we've dealt with scummy lenders writing bad loans, scummy get rich quick schemes promising to pay your mortgage, and the real estate bubble bursting, leaving us with a serious foreclosure problems, but seriously, this too?

It's an embarrassment to legitimate professionals to see garbage like this happening in the region. I hate the fact that a few bad apples like this can really ruin the reputation of the industry as a whole.

It's great that they've pressed charges, but what I want to know is this: Where in the hell are they, and how do you plan to arrest them? This was in the news months ago that the feds were trying to build a case, and I'd be shocked to hear that they were still in the country at this point! **

**Correction** Multiple arrests were made thursday morning in North Carolina, including both Ms. Jackson and Mr. Fordham, among others.

Holiday Weekend and Wet Dog Roundup

2008-05-27T11:31:14Z

This past weekend was the first time in nearly a month that I took some time off. Granted, it was only a day, but taking time for yourself is important, and it's nice to get away from time to time.

I spent Saturday at my parent's home in Virginia(literally, smack dab in the middle of nowhere), and enjoyed the beautiful weather and some time with the dogs.

They say happiness is a WARM puppy. As far as my dogs are concerned, they think happiness is a WET puppy. Perhaps my dogs made a mistake. They could have a lisp for all I know.

I had a great time, aside from the smell of wet, muddy, salty dogs that I had to endure on the way home. My arm is still sore from playing fetch, and my clothes smell like fresh grass clippings. Ah, the finer things in life...

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

No, We're not the Real Estate Mafia..

2008-05-26T11:21:23Z

I've been kicking around the idea of creating a new business image, which is an important aspect of being a Realtor. A good image makes people know that we think we're important, which is a good thing. It makes people want to work with us, or something goofy like that.

I'm not really going to start blanketing the area with post cards pushing my fancy new business image and ugly mug on them, that's just obnoxious to me. Even before I became a Realtor I was placing agents postcards in the circular file, and I expect people would do the same with mine.

Instead, I'm just going to post my new business promotional image on this blog, and I'll wait to see how many people notice it.

Enjoy the rest of Memorial Day Weekend 2008!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Swan Point Project Get's Board of Works Approval in Annapolis!

2008-05-23T15:51:38Z

Swan Point's proposed development project won approval this week at the Maryland State Board of Public Works hearing in Annapolis, MD this past Wednesday.

I attended the meeting to view first hand what Governor Martin O'Malley had to say about the project, and to voice my support for the project. I was impressed at the supporter turnout for the project. Over 2 dozen people were there to support the development, and although 3 people showed up to protest the development, only two of them decided to speak out against Brookfield Homes and US Steel's proposal.

The Governor actually opposed the plan, but even without his vote the project gained the necessary approval needed to move forward! This means that the Swan Point Development Corporation is looking to break ground on the Westin Swan Point hotel by early 2009, and should be slated to open in 2011.

The meeting itself was fascinating. Wayne Cooper, Mac Middleton, Sam Graves, and Murray Levy all spoke in support of the project and it's benefit to Southern Maryland, and one of the developers reps mentioned that there was projected to be a 10% overall improvement in water quality in the area due to the new development.

I've been very impressed with both Brookfield Homes and US Steel on this development. They seem to understand the sensitive nature of developing a project like this on the Chesapeake Bay, and they've been very flexible in changing plans and proposals in order to comply with concerns of residents and government officials.

It really speaks volumes towards their character when they willing change and reduce their own development in order to satisfy everyone involved. Make no mistake, the goal is to develop a waterfront resort destination here, but that doesn't mean the developer can get everything they want, either. It's a relief to see a developer that is willing to be flexible with the community.

Link to Maryland Independent Article on Board of Works Approval
Link to Other Development Posts

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Interesting Buildings: The Wigwam in Waldorf, MD

2008-05-22T17:07:18Z

Old-Timers and Life-Long residents can remember fondly the old Wigwam bakery (Walls Bakery) on Rt. 301 in Waldorf, MD. I grew up in the area myself, and I dearly miss the old place!

They had the BEST eclairs in Maryland, the kind you just can't help yourself when you saw them. I'm a sugar junkie, and the Wigwam fed my habit. The building has been closed up for years, and it's future seems uncertain at this point.

What's fascinating about this building is that it typifies what Waldorf once was: A roadside stop for truckers traveling up and down the east coast. It's a shame that old places like the Stardust Motel and Ballroom (where Sinatra and Elvis once played) are gone, because they beckon to a bygone era. Perhaps another bakery with tasty eclairs will open there again. Perhaps not. That's some prime real estate that the old building sits on, and the money it's worth will probably outweigh the memories.

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

New Home Construction in Waldorf, MD Autumn Hills Subdivision

2008-05-20T15:18:17Z

Waldorf, MD has a lot of new home construction developments, and one of them is the Autumn Hills Subdivision, located off of Smallwood Drive, just a stone's throw from the St. Charles Towne Center Mall.

There are two different builders in that community: Ryan Homes, who has subdivisions and developments all over the Southern Maryland region, and Craftmark Homes.

The Ryan Homes there are starting at $340k, and the Craftmark Homes are starting at $550k. What's nice about this community (aside from the proximity to the mall and shopping) is that all of the homes here are brick or stone front.

Some of the lots are a little tight, but the homes are gorgeous! I currently have a home listed in this subdivision, and the property is stunning! Between the hardwood floors, Granite counters, Sun-room, Finished Basement and Finished Attic, there's almost 7,000 square feet of living space! It's an excellent example of just how big the high-end Craftmark homes are.

Craftmark is building bigger than Ryan is (hence the higher price tags), but either builder is providing great looking homes in a great location!

If you're interested in possibly buying here, or in any other subdivision, our new construction experts can help you to negotiate a great deal AND protect your interests when purchasing a new home! Give us a call or email to get the low-down on New Construction in Charles County, P.G. County, or St. Mary's County!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Open House Becomes Drive Through!?!

2008-05-18T10:09:29Z

At least I can say that there's never a dull moment in our business! We held an open house this weekend in Waldorf, and one of the families that came by to look at the property apparently had the brakes jam on their SUV.

OOPS.

Their car ended up hitting our Expedition that was parked in the driveway, and then trounced over the light pole in the front yard, plowed through the foliage in the walkway, and came to rest against the front stoop. Fortunately the home has a large brick and slate front porch, or else they may have ended up in the living room!

Thankfully there were no serious injuries, but it gave everyone quite a scare, and certainly added some excitement to the day!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Houses for Sale in Waldorf, MD: How Can You "Find it All"?

2008-05-15T18:52:10Z

Buying a home in Waldorf, MD has a lot of great possibilities! From townhouses to duplexes to single family homes, there are a lot of potential locations for you and your family. Part of the fun in helping people buy a home is putting all the pieces together to find them that perfect property!

It's a good idea to consider what it is that you want and need out of your next home, and go from there. Are you looking for a house with lots of land? A quick search of the MLS shows that there are currently 55 Homes in Waldorf that meet that criteria, ranging from $245k-$1.7 Million. That's a huge range, and it shows that your choices are really only limited by your desired price range.

Another popular option is to consider searching by location. If you're looking for convenience, and want to be within walking distance to the local mall, you could search by geographic location, and find that there's currently 13 Homes for sale within a half mile of the St. Charles Towne Center Mall, ranging from $170k-286k.

The great thing about trying to "Find It All" when it comes to home-buying is that there's really no limit to how specific you can try to be (If there's something on the market that matches your criteria, it can be found!). If you were to say that you wanted a home with very specific criteria, a good Realtor should be able to help you find that information!

Here's a good example:

Let's say we want a home with 3 or more bedrooms, 3+ acres of land, a pool, a 2-story vaulted family room, brick exterior, and a full basement, located in Waldorf, MD. A quick search by your friendly neighborhood Realtor should bring back something like this!

When you're working with an agent, don't be afraid to be specific when it comes to house-hunting criteria! Your agent should be working with you, and listening to your wants and needs when it comes to finding a home!

The bottom line is that in a location like Waldorf, MD and Charles County, there are a ton of options for you and your family. All you have to do is contact your local Realtor and develop a plan with them to help find the perfect house to call home!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

If Granite is Standard, How About An "EMERGENCY PARTY BUTTON"??

2008-05-13T13:46:14Z

Here it is, the ultimate bachelor pad accessory!! Feeling Blue? Down in the dumps 'cuz you just got dumped? Well, worry no more, because the Emergency Party Button is here!!

With a hot accessory like this, you don't even need to worry about inviting friends, with the strobe lights and fog, they're sure to find you! This all-in-one system packages everything but the drinks in a simple push of a button!

Within seconds, your drab little apartment can become the hip party hot-spot you want it to be!! Call now to order yours today!!

(You Never Know What You'll Find on YouTube!)

CHARLES COUNTY, MD FORECLOSURE LIST UPDATE (5/9/2008)

2008-05-08T13:44:45Z

Foreclosures are up slightly in Charles County, and here is the latest list of properties available on the market that are bank-owned. It includes foreclosures in Waldorf, La Plata, White Plains, Newburg, Hughesville, and all of Charles County!

Bank Owned Homes For Sale in Charles County

If you have any questions, or would like to be added to our automatic daily updates, please give me a ring or drop me an email and let me know!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Open House in Waldorf, MD this weekend!

2008-05-08T11:04:37Z

For those of you who are interested, I'm going to be holding an open house this weekend! The Open House will be at 10662 Sourwood Avenue, in Waldorf, MD and this is a gorgeous house!

Listing Information Link

Doors will be open from 10am-4pm, so don't miss your chance to see a gorgeous home for a price you can't beat!

This home is in the Autumn Hills subdivision, just 4 doors down from the model!

This Saturday May 10th, 2008 10am-4pm!!

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Adventures in New Home Buying

2008-05-06T13:16:53Z

I got a call this week from a woman who had read my blog post "Are New Construction Prices Negotiable?", and she was curious about how to deal with builders in Prince George's County who seem to be playing some sort of "Shell Game" when it comes to dropping the price, charging more for upgrades, and generally causing confusion in regards to how much the bottom line is really going to be.

I'm a firm believer that builders do this intentionally. They're struggling for profits, and in the housing pinch they're forced to drop the prices to get you as a buyer in their door. Once you're at their model, you're on their turf, and their job is to do everything they can to jack the final price of the home up.

It's then taken a step further when each model representative makes it a point to brag about how energy efficient they are, or how stainless and granite is standard, blah blah blah.....

I made a suggestion to this buyer that there may be another option to explore that might make a bit more sense if flexibility is an option. New construction typically takes 4-6 months to complete, and in communities that have been builder for more than a year, it's highly possible that you may be able to find a short sale in the community that could be purchased for considerably less that you could have the home built for

It allows you to negotiate the price of the house completely, not be beaten up by the builder over the cost of each individual upgrade. It also places you in a great bargaining position with both the homeowner and the bank that's holding the note: You're able to purchase the property for less that it was bought new, and the bank gets to avoid another foreclosure dragging on their profit margins.

It may not be a perfect solution for everyone, but for true bargain hunters looking for a sensible, affordable alternative, this is a great option.

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Southern Maryland Real Estate Blog

111 Quailwood Parkway, La Plata, MD Is SOLD!!

2008-05-02T11:30:54Z

Anybody who says that nothing sells in this market is wrong, plain and simple! We had a gorgeous 3 bed, 2.5 bath rambler in the Quailwood subdivision on the market for less than 75 days, and it's now officially sold! A little bit of smart, aggressive marketing along with an intelligent price ($385,000)
got the job done, and helped another happy seller get his home sold!

Link to original listing

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
www.teambenya.com

Jose Canseco, It's Time To Grow Up

2008-05-02T11:15:44Z

Apparently even the rich and famous aren't above the foreclosure problems that California. Jose Canseco has lost his $2.5 Million home in Encino, CA. You've got to love his flippant attitude towards the whole thing:

"I do have a judgment on my home and it to me is very strange because it didn't make financial sense for me to keep paying a mortgage on a home that was basically owned by someone else"

Guess what Mr. Canseco, EVERYONE in America that has a mortgage on their home is living in a house that is owned by someone else. That's what a mortgage is. If you don't like it, but the house free and clear. Signing a mortgage is agreeing to repay a debt to a lender who has agreed to extend that line of credit to you.

I don't want to criticize his decision to walk away (I don't agree with it, but that's his decision); but the claim that it's "strange" he was paying a mortgage on a home "owned by someone else" is no different than every other mortgaged home in America. Like it or not, it's a financial responsibility we all bear, and celebrity does not excuse you from your agreed debt to others.

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
www.teambenya.com

A Car Nut's Holy Land is Conquered!

2008-05-01T08:51:04Z

    I’ve heard people say that you need to take time out to smell the roses, but I’m not exactly what you would call a talented gardener. In all honesty, I could kill pretty much any plant known to man. I had a little potted cactus once, but I think it died from lack of water.

   Whoever coined the term didn’t exactly have me in mind. I much prefer relaxing with rusty old automotive restoration projects than I do cultivating my weeds. This weekend I managed to take a day off and Thomas and I ended up in Carlisle, PA for the annual spring car show, auction, and swap meet.

   For those of you who have had the good fortune of experiencing it for yourself, you know that Carlisle’s fairgrounds are a mecca for any true car nut, and if you haven’t been there yet, you’re missing out on the experience of a lifetime!

    We were there for 8 hours on Friday, and it was physically impossible to see all of the cars and vendors that were there in attendance. It’s literally acre after acre of vendors, cars, parts, antiques, etc. They have several shows a year, and you can find almost anything vehicle related at one of events up there!

     We managed to snag 4 Firestone tires and a new rear bumper for the 1957 T-Bird, A 1965 Mustang wiring harness, fenders, chrome, and pretty much everything but the kitchen sink! I even managed to buy a new metal sign for my father’s garage with his name on it!

     If you own a classic car, go! If you like classic cars, go! The have 8 shows a year, each themed around a different model vehicle, and the shows typically start on Wednesday and end on Sunday. It’s also a great place to buy, sell or trade for that car you’ve always dreamed of. If you’re ever curious about the shows, give me a ring.   I’m typically up there for 4 out of the 10 events each year, and I’ll be more than happy to help you get acquainted to the experience!

2008 Spring Carlisle Photos (on Flickr, take a look and comment there!)

Carlisle Show Schedule

~Jonathan Benya
Century 21 New Millennium
9405-A Chesapeake St
La Plata, MD 20646
301-609-9000
301-653-8116
Waldorf and Southern Maryland Real Estate
www.teambenya.com

Huge 6 Bedroom Home For Sale in Waldorf, MD at $650,000!!!

2008-04-30T14:54:40Z

10662 Sourwood Avenue Waldorf, MD 20603

Autumn Hills Subdivision

$650,000

This is a deal you don't want to miss! This home has it all, just look at the list of amenities you'll find here!

6 Full Bedrooms

6 1/2 Bathrooms

2 Fireplaces

2 Car Garage

Hardwood Floors

Gourmet Kitchen with Granite Countertops!

Huge, Gorgeous Windows!

Built in 2006 (only 2 years old!)

2008 Tax Assessed Value: $727,100

Asking Price: $650,000!!!!

Don’t wait on this one, real estate like this won’t last long when it’s priced this way! You couldn’t have this home built NEW at this price!! This home is a short sale, and the owners and bank are motivated! Call Jonathan at Team Benya at 301-653-8116 today to schedule an appointment to see your next home!