http://www.trulia.com/profile/teambenya/The latest answers submitted by Team Benya to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/What_are_the_FHA_requirements_for_missing_applianc-185735Answer by Team Benya: FHA states that the property must have a “Space” for cooking. There is no specific requirement as to how the food is to be cooked or stored. So they do not have any special requirement for the type or presence of appliances. However FHA does defer to local law to ensure that appliances meet local code regarding proper amperage. FHA requires that if the property does have appliances they must be in working order. If your clients are purchasing a home that contains appliances that do not work and the seller is not willing to fix, it would be best to ensure the removal of the non-working appliances prior to the appraisal. This would be in compliance with FHA guidelines. So you essentially have two options: 1) ignore the issue, see what the appraiser says and hope for the best. Because they don't exist, you might be ok, or 2) buy the appliances yourself and have them installed for the appraiser to see. I do NOT advocate this, as there is a large amount of financial risk involved, but I have seen it done in the past.Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:19:40 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/What_are_the_bast_things_to_negotiate_on_in_a_to_b-182297Answer by Team Benya: I'd advise getting a Realtor. It costs you nothing, and you've got a professional ready to negotiate on your behalfTue, 1 Dec 2009 14:25:54 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/In_sales_via_NACA_home_BUYERS_supposedly_don_t_-173552Answer by Team Benya: If a homebuyer is Using NACA to avoid closing costs/downpayment, that does not apply to the home seller. The seller is still responsible for their own closing costsFri, 23 Oct 2009 06:40:37 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Need_to_know_if_this_property_is_setup_for_horses_-173411Answer by Team Benya: I've visited that property before, and although it could be turned into a horse property, it is not really ready for horses as it sits. If you're looking for a horse farm or property specifically, there are several available on the market. I do a lot of land and farm sales and will be able to expertly assist you in finding your new home! ~Jonathan Benya Century 21 New Millennium 9405-A Chesapeake St. La PLata, MD 20646 301-653-8116Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:42:54 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/I_bought_a_foreclosure_in_Silver_Spring_on_June_-158868Answer by Team Benya: Your best bet would be to speak with the title company you used when you purchased the property. There should be a different address, however often times lots done have a specific address on the tax records.Tue, 1 Sep 2009 15:10:42 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Is_this_home_still_available_I_want_to_buy_it_S-160261Answer by Team Benya: unfortunately, no, that property sold 11 months ago. If you would like, I could put together a list of comparable properties in the area for you though! There's quite a bit available in the silver spring area right now! Give me a call and I'll get you set up with the latest listings in the area that match your criteria! ~Jonathan Benya Century 21 New Millennium 301-653-8116Tue, 1 Sep 2009 15:08:48 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Being_a_first_time_home_owner_is_there_help_with_a-158200Answer by Team Benya: Absolutely! If you're looking at foreclosures in PG County, there is a program that will pay your downpayment for you! Give me a call and I can get you started in the program! ~Jonathan Benya Century 21 New Millennium 301-653-8116Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:23:34 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/If_we_building_a_home_in_Aug_the_expect_to_moving-152081Answer by Team Benya: the house must be primary residence, and the settlement must be done before December 1, 2009, so if you are not settling until January, then no, it would not qualifyWed, 5 Aug 2009 08:54:13 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Rental_Basics/Do_you_need_a_license_or_permit_to_temporarily_ren-131554Answer by Team Benya: You Might. It all depends on where the home is located. For example, some HOA's or condo boards may require approval, and you need to file paperwork if you intend to rent a home in Columbia, MD. I believe that applies for all of HoCo, but I would check with your local government to find out. MD state does not require a license or permit to rent out a single home, but there are restrictions in certain areas. Jonathan Benya Century 21 New Millennium 301-653-8116Mon, 1 Jun 2009 13:17:16 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Rental_Basics/Do_you_need_a_license_or_permit_to_rent_out_your_h-131553Answer by Team Benya: You Might. It all depends on where the home is located. For example, some HOA's or condo boards may require approval, and you need to file paperwork if you intend to rent a home in Columbia, MD. I believe that applies for all of HoCo, but I would check with your local government to find out. MD state does not require a license or permit to rent out a single home, but there are restrictions in certain areas.Mon, 1 Jun 2009 13:16:03 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/We_are_putting_an_offer_on_a_home_that_requires_a_-121572Answer by Team Benya: Quite possibly, but that doesn't mean they will accept your offer if the others are "higher and better". If the other offers are higher and request less closing, Wells Fargo may opt to go with more money. Best of luck to you!Fri, 8 May 2009 13:55:04 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/What_does_REO_mean_and_who_should_I_contact_about_-102334Answer by Team Benya: REO simply means REAL ESTATE OWNED. This is an abbreviated way to say that the property is a bank-owned foreclosure. If you would like, I would be more than happy to assist you by scheduling an appointment to view the property! Please feel free to give me a call to schedule a date and time! ~Jonathan Benya- Realtor Century 21 New Millennium 9405-A Chesapeake St La Plata, MD 20646 301-609-9000 - office 301-653-8116 - cellMon, 23 Mar 2009 18:38:16 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/We_re_back_in_the_market_after_returning_from_over-102186Answer by Team Benya: Tina, Best of luck to you in your home search! VA and FHA loans are designed to ensure that the home being purchased is in suitable living condition. Due to this, the level of neglect on a home may impact its ability to be financed. Missing doors, exposed wiring, and missing appliances can all prevent a VA or FHA loan from being approved. Foreclosures do not necessarily take forever to be approved, it all depends on the bank transferring the deed properly. Bear in mind that with an FHA loan, closing generally takes at least 3 weeks because of the appraisal requirements attached to any FHA loan.Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:07:45 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/hey_i_was_just_wondering_about_this_house_is_it_s-97084Answer by Team Benya: Why yes, the house is still available, it is currently listed for 630,000. If you would like to scheule an appointment to view the property, please feel free to give me a call at 301-653-8116!Mon, 9 Mar 2009 12:38:42 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/In_general_how_do_I_get_the_bank_to_realize_the_B-94228Answer by Team Benya: Here's my take on it: With a BPO, you must understand that they are quite often done without the interior being viewed at all. Drive-by BPO's, as they are often called, involve taking a few exterior photos and working off of tax and previous sales info to determine value. If an interior BPO is being done, the value becomes much murkier. When I do an interior BPO, I am not a contractor, nor do I try to determine a contractor's cost of repairing a home. I will typically give the full fair market value and then recommend that contractor estimates are done to determine the cost of repairs needed to create that full value. If you are looking at a home for a repair or flip job, my recommendation would be to not over-stress about any one home in particular. There are plenty of deals to be had, and if a certain home cannot be obtained for a fair price, just move on and find one that can be!Sun, 1 Mar 2009 17:32:21 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Is_this_asking_price_CORRECT_-85937Answer by Team Benya: Hmm, could be, but It's also very possible that someone placed an extra digit in there somewhere.Wed, 4 Feb 2009 11:07:08 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/We_had_a_bankruptcy_we_plan_to_put_down_percent-77543Answer by Team Benya: Putting 40-50% down certainly helps, but it really depends on how long ago the bankruptcy was and what sort of credit activity you've had since. Your Real Estate Experts in Southern Maryland!Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:35:16 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/What_is_the_name_of_the_management_company_for_the-73445Answer by Team Benya: The property you are referring to is in the Wakefield subdivision, their management company would be: Maredith Management - 3352 Old Washington Road Waldorf, MD 20602 Source: I'm a Charles County Realtor who has assisted people buying/selling in the neighborhoodTue, 16 Dec 2008 10:15:46 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Foreclosure/for_a_property_that_is_listed_as_a_Lis_Pendens_wh-72411Answer by Team Benya: A Lis Pendens means that there is a suit pending against the title of the property. It basically tells you that there is some sort of issue with the title, (lien delinquency, etc.). If you were to buy a home that is Lis Pendens, you would be purchasing subject to the outcome of the suit, and you would be responsible for the judgement. Lenders typically will not lend money on properties that are Lis Pendens, and title companies cannot insure clean title. If you are trying to contact someone, contact their realtor (if it's listed for sale) or the homeowner directly.Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:25:01 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/P_G_County_Maryland_What_is_the_criteria_for_c-56280Answer by Team Benya: 1) an egress window (Meaning you could get out of it in the case of a fire), and the rule of thumb is that a fire fighter in full gear (oxygen tank on the back, etc.) could get through the window. 2)Private Door (In other words, a doorway does not cut it, it must be enclosed 3)Closet with doorSun, 7 Sep 2008 06:20:39 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Lease_Back_to_the_Builder_A_Good_Idea_-56396Answer by Team Benya: It has the potential to be a deal, IF the market appreciates! Let's say you did this 2 years ago, at the peak of the market: If the home was worth $500k then and only $400k now, who cares if the mortgage was paid monthly by the builder for the last 2 years? You're still in the hole financially in this case!Sun, 7 Sep 2008 06:09:47 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/There_is_a_short_sale_property_we_looked_at_that_w-46054Answer by Team Benya: I've seen offers like this work, and others promptly rejected. There are so many other factors that come in to play here that without sitting down and analyzing the banks situation on the property, odds of selling, likely value, etc. There's simply no way of saying definitively if they would take the offer. I'd say submit it and see what happens. The worst case is that they say no and you re-submit.Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:29:41 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/where_can_I_get_free_listings_of_government_tax_fo-45547Answer by Team Benya: The lists are publicly posted in the newspaper, but please be aware that you are not buying the property outright, you're buying the TAX DEBT on the property. Although you can eventually gain sole ownership of the property, think of tax sales as more of a purchase in an "interest" of the property.Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:26:09 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/what_are_selling_conditions_in_bowie_md_-49252Answer by Team Benya: It's still moving, but make no mistake, the market is still very slow. Inventory is continuing to rise without a significant increase in sales, which is forcing the average time on market up at the same time that the average prices are falling. If you would like, I have a set of current (July/08) Market trend charts available on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/teambenya/2691356132/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/teambenya/2691355564/in/photostream/ Feel free to contact me at jonbenya@mac.com or http://www.teambenya.com if you have any questions about the charts!Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:19:02 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/what_other_sites_can_we_list_our_home_for_free_oth-31498Answer by Team Benya: I agree, http://www.postlets.com is an excellent option. What it does is distribute your listing information to multiple websites simultaneously, so you're able to get a lot of free visibility. Also, consider kajiji.com, they're another site similar to craigslist.Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:13:55 PDT