Kacem Benali

This blog is in response to a blog posted by a so-called prospective buyer for Midtown Bethesda North called “Booboo Miller”. Miss “Booboo” has posed a lot of questions in her blog and I thought I should answer them.

To make sense of this blog you have read this blog located at (http://activerain.com/blogsview/512573/Kettler-Developing-Harbor-Station) then you have to read Miss "Booboo Miller’s" blog located at (http://activerain.com/blogsview/514046/Midtown-Bethesda-North-and). After all that you can proceed to read my blog and all this should make sense.

First things first I must say, you do seem to be quite ruffled by the comments in the first Midtown Bethesda North blog. I don’t know why you would be so offended by them; no one is topping you from buying. There was nothing to be gained by writing that blog except for the appreciation of any person that might have been saved the aggravation of buying from Kettler. What’s your motivation for writing your blog? Some people like to learn the hard way, you don’t have to take anyone’s advice or opinion into consideration if you want to buy, do it. Let others know of your experience afterwards maybe it will be better than mine.

1) Yes my girlfriend has posted a blog about Kettler, Midtown Bethesda North and my experience about my business dealings with the developer Kettler. I don’t think she tried to hide that, in fact I think she might have mention the fact that I was her boyfriend on numerous occasions. I don’t see your point here…

2) Miss “Booboo” I assure you that if you knew me you would not say that I don’t have anything good to say about anyone. I invite you to visit the communities section of my website at: http://www.dmvproperties.com/communities.php where you can read about many nice things I have to say about various neighborhoods in the DC metropolitan area. Also on a good note, I love all my neighbors at Midtown Bethesda North and I like the concierges at the front desk they are very friendly and helpful. In fact the only neighborhood, subdivision or builder I have ever had a negative experience with is the builder of Midtown Bethesda North, Ketter.

3) Yes its true I have also written a somewhat negative blog about a difficult client that I was working with. I admit, I had a bad day and decided to write about it, I did however leave my client nameless. Thankfully things worked t in the end and he is now a good friend that actually sent me two referrals since he closed on his house last month. My client said, “I told my friends what a patient man you are for having dealt with me”. In hindsight I feel bad about what I wrote but it was true. I hope all can forgive me for writing what I did, I am sure my fellow REALTOR collogues can agree that sometimes we deal with difficult clients and sometimes we have to vent about it. That said I don’t think I will do it over the Internet again.

4) As for the point that I am “constantly promoting my self as a REALTOR” well I have say that I am guilty as charged… I’m a great self-promoter; I can’t help it I’m great at what do. (Except for the mistake of buying in Midtown Bethesda North from Kettler of course)

5) Also don’t get me wrong if any units go up for sale from individual unit owners by all means you should buy here. Most of the glitches have been fixed now and you would be bypassing most of aggravation that I had which stemmed from having to deal with Kettler!!

6) As for your question about “who really cares the name of the city you live in anyways; as long as you like the location…” Here I couldn’t disagree with you more, that’s like saying to someone that thought they bought a house in Hollywood but really it was in downtown LA “Ash don’t worry about it it’s not a big deal!” That’s just not good for resale to name one thing... This surprises me coming from you, for someone that has done this much “research” don’t you know the most important factor in Real Estate? It’s all about LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION…

A good Realtor would know that there are differences between property values in Bethesda and Rockville, as there are in many neighboring cities around the country. There is a little bit of prestige that comes with a Bethesda address more so than with a Rockville address. Don’t get me wrong I love both cities my office is in Rockville but truth be told there is a difference there.

I might ask you in return since you seem to be so well informed why do you think that Kettler the Builder of Midtown Bethesda North still to this day advertises that Midtown Bethesda North is actually located in Bethesda as the name suggests? When it’s actually located in Rockville, I’m sure that it’s because of my aforementioned reasons. I mean after all if it didn’t really matter why wouldn’t they just say its in Rockville, do you think they don’t know which city they bought their land in or which city they got their building permits from etc….

I on the other hand didn’t know because it was close enough to Bethesda and there are no florescent yellow floating lines that indicate the Rockville and Bethesda city limits. More importantly I figured if the Kettler website AND my contract says I’m buying a condo in Bethesda I figured that’s what I was buying, which brings me up to my next point…

Perhaps you should speak to “MANY (more) people in the industry and those who know of other people in the industry that I don’t have access to.” About this for more of an education…

7) Would it be wrong to say that Kettlers practices of boosting a Bethesda address on its website and putting a Bethesda address on its contracts is misleading, unethical and deceptive? The building is located in Rockville! And you only find that out at the settlement table! (Hence the advice to potential buyers to do their due diligence before buying anything from Kettler or anyone else for that matter)

8) As for the pictures on my website at: www.dmvproperties.com you're right they were taken at Midtown Bethesda North. The building looks nice, I never said otherwise; I thought I would take some pictures in it, I might as well get some use out of the amenities when I’m paying the $400+ monthly condo dues for them. But again, I don’t see your point here…

9) As for your point about the condo dues, why would the condo dues be $275 in 2005 when I signed my contract and somewhere in the 300+ pages of condo docs be $400+ for 2007? The building was built in 2007, who was paying $275 in 2005? Or could it be that Kettler the developer was being a bit misleading in quoting prices for 2005 condo dues in their contracts for a building that was always scheduled to be completed in 2007?

I must say that for a “potential Buyer” you are VERY well informed, you must spend lots of time in the building talking to many residents, I commend you for all the research hours your are putting in! Although it sounds like you did a lot more research on me than anything else.

However, I think anyone would agree that no amount of research trumps the ACTUAL experience of someone that has bought a condo in Midtown Bethesda North from Kettler. You don’t really know what the experience is like until you have been through it. In that respect and with ALL due respect I know more about what I’m talking about than you do…

Unlike you I’m not basin my comments and opinions on “rumors” and so called “research” but rather on FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE and FACTS!

By the way I though your comment about the “rumors you heard of illegal smells coming from my place” was random, childish & inappropriate but very funny LOL…

Now it’s my turn to ask questions with a bunch of????? at the end.

Could it be that you are not a potential buyer but someone on the Kettler payroll, trying to do a little damage control??????

Could it be that you are the same one that sent me an email pretending to be the president of the Northern Virginia Realtor Association and making threatening remarks about the first blog in the hopes that it would be removed??????

Perhaps while doing your research on me you might have found out that I sit of the Grievance Committee for the Greater Capitol Area Association of REALTORS and I’m quite versed on the REALTOR code of ethics, which I adhere to religiously.

I am new to this whole blogging phenomenon; I never knew that blogging could be so heated!

PS: I told Kettlers people a long time ago that if they did not honor my contract that I would tell others and my fellow REALTOR colleagues of the business practices that Kettler engages in. I did not have the time nor did I want to waist the money on lawyers to battle my case in court for month’s maybe years. Perhaps I should have, never the less… You know what they say: “You made your bed, now sleep in it…” or maybe you like this saying better: “You reap what you sow!” This can be said to Kettler and I, now we have live with each other unhappily ever after.

Kacem Benali

Kacem Benali has been a well respected member of the DC, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area for over 10 years. Kacems’ Real Estate background and continuous hands on experience has afforded him with knowledge of his craft that is second to none. Kacem is an experienced Real Estate Agent in Rockville, Maryland. Kacem is a well known Realtor in Rockville as well as many other cities and areas in and around the Washington, DC Metropolitan area including but not limited to: Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Chevy Chase, Arlington, Alexandria, Potomac and Germantown. Kacem is a Member of the Greater Capitol Area of Realtors the largest and most respected REALTORS Association Board in the Washington, DC area. Kacem also serves as a member of the Grievance and Public Policy Committee for GCAAR.

PRESENT

Kacem uses his attention to detail and market-savvy professionalism to provide each and every client with first class service. By designing creative and well organized 28 point marketing campaigns, each property experiences maximum exposure to the buying public. Kacem also markets each property to over 10,000 Realtors in the DC area.

Whether it is the first time home buyer or the seasoned investor, the relationship extends long after the transaction is closed. “Referrals are my lifeline to success, so I take care of my clients long after the transaction is complete”

PAST

After receiving a Bachelors of Business and Communications and a Minor in French from Arizona State University, Kacem purchased his first investment at just 21 years of age. Dealing with investments and investors alike since the beginning of his Real Estate career has helped Kacem be profitable in all stages of the Real Estate market and become a very successful REALTOR.

SPECIALTY

Negotiating. Whether it be at a garage sale, car dealership, or buying a house, you need strong negotiating skills and you need it now. There are no second tries or re-takes. Kacems’ ability to negotiate is where he shines. “...A big misconception that people have is that the highest bid always wins and this simply is not true, not of buying a house or anything else. In many cases the terms of the deal are more important to people than the dollar figure.”

The negotiation process is much more than just price. All areas of the contract need to be addressed and negotiated. Unfortunately this is too often overlooked by many Realtors.

“…I’m not the guy you want across from you at the negotiation table; you want me next to you.” –Kacem Benali REALTOR

Vist our communities tab where you can find information about Rockville Homes For Sale and Bethesda Homes For Sale as well as information about many cities around the DMV.



Paul Stagnitto

Born in Washington DC, Paul has spent his entire life in the DC, Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area. Watching fields and forests turn into neighborhoods and town centers sparked his interest in the process from an early age.

Shortly after college Paul began working with Equity United Mortgage Corporation as a Mortgage Broker. Equity United is a well-established institution whose code of ethics far exceeds the competition. The office staff provides a level of support that most operations can only hope to one-day replicate.

Being able to determine what your clients needs are is only the first step. Fulfilling those needs from start to finish is the key. Paul is and has always been committed to his clients 100%. Whether it be providing some helpful advice or executing a mortgage loan, each unique situation is treated with an equal and unsurpassed amount of effort and efficiency.

Click here, for Real Estate information around the Washington DC, Metropolitan Area. Homes For Sale in Potomac and Homes For Sale in Gaithersburg as well as general Real Estate For Sale in Maryland, Virginia and surrounding areas. DMVProperties.com has all your Maryland Real Estate needs. Kacem Benali is The Real Estate agent & Realtor in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.