I Know I've Been In And Out For A While....

GatorFan · August 4, 2008

Sorry I have been scarce on here but I have been out of town on a huge network project and have just now returned. Well, I finally got my money back (all of it, every penny). At first I thought they were going to drag their feet on it but the check came when they said it would. The salesperson even had the balls to call me again and ask me if we would deal with them on the house now as they agreed to lower the price to what the VA appraised it. I said, why didn't they want to "deal" with me in the beginning and I appreciate their effort but they could have done the same thing initially. Now, my wife has a bad taste in her mouth about the house and we also don't feel comfortable working with a builder that treats people like a used car salesman would (no offense to the wonderful car salesmen on this forum ). I also told her that right now is a good time to purchase a home that is already built and from what I have seen so far, I could get a much nicer (and bigger) house for less than what I was willing to buy this one for. Thanks but No Thanks! We called a real estate agent yesterday and talked to them for about an hour on what we were looking for and how far of a drive I was willing to make in order to get the most for our money.

As I said initially, I think this all happened for a reason so that is why we are not that angry over the whole situation. I did learn a valuable lesson though, take your time when looking and FIND A REAL ESTATE AGENT FIRST. Of couse we "thought" it seemed fairly easy when this company built the house to our specs. Anyway, we are still looking and this time we will let our agent do all the work in finding what we want.

Oh yeah, with some of that money we got back, I purchased some new wheels and tires for my truck so I will take some pics after I have them installed AND wash the truck. It seems like about 8 months since I have washed it because of the house thing and work.

Thanks again fellas for the words of wisdom and support during this ordeal! You guys are why this forum ROCKS! Oh yeah, and the funny, outlandish $HIT we talk about too.

geektoad · August 4, 2008

glad to hear you got your money back, and good luck on the new house hunt!

Won_Hunglo · August 4, 2008

my wife has a bad taste in her mouth

Don't let one home builder ruin your experience. Find another, do your homework & enjoy a custom home. Worth every penny.

Darkanion · August 4, 2008

I'm glad to hear you got all your money back. That's the way it should be!

I did learn a valuable lesson though, take your time when looking and FIND A REAL ESTATE AGENT FIRST. Of couse we "thought" it seemed fairly easy when this company built the house to our specs. Anyway, we are still looking and this time we will let our agent do all the work in finding what we want.

Yeah - When I got my first agent, I told him I had been looking at new houses (without an agent) and he cringed. "Some home builders will take care of their clients... and some.. 'take care of' their clients.. and their wallets. 'Be careful!'"

I'm glad to hear things are working out well for you. I agree with your assessment about being able to buy an existing home cheaper, too... I got this one for about $10k less than I thought it would've been listed for, which was about $30k less than what the new houses were going for.. and the new homes had less 'extras'.

cambo · August 4, 2008

So let me get this straight. You went through the process of building a new house, and you backed out at the end?

2000DV4.8 · August 4, 2008

Glad you got everything worked out, Rob. Waiting for those pictures...

So let me get this straight. You went through the process of building a new house, and you backed out at the end?

Read some of his other threads. The builder tried to screw them.

GatorFan · August 4, 2008

So let me get this straight. You went through the process of building a new house, and you backed out at the end?

Camden I wish it were that easy but that is not really how it occurred but I guess if you took away all the BS, then yes, I guess you could say we backed out. To make a long story short, we were ready to close and three days prior to closing the VA came in and appraised the house $18K lower than the builder's sale price. The builder would not come down off the price and the contract stipulated that if the VA appraisal was lower than the sales price, I could walk and get all of my money back. It would seem in this economy the builder would want to work with someone who had the $$$ and was ready to sign, but greed got the best of him so in the end he owns this house now, not me. If he would've worked with us, I would probably own that house right now but I am glad he didn't because I feel like we were getting ripped off.

GatorFan · August 4, 2008

Glad you got everything worked out, Rob. Waiting for those pictures...

So let me get this straight. You went through the process of building a new house, and you backed out at the end?

Read some of his other threads. The builder tried to screw them.

Yeah the tires and wheels should be in on Thursday. As soon as I get them on and get the truck cleaned, I will take come pics and post them.

sillyazz · August 4, 2008

Good deal!! I hope that greedy bastard loses his ass on the house.

cambo · August 4, 2008

So let me get this straight. You went through the process of building a new house, and you backed out at the end?

Camden I wish it were that easy but that is not really how it occurred but I guess if you took away all the BS, then yes, I guess you could say we backed out. To make a long story short, we were ready to close and three days prior to closing the VA came in and appraised the house $18K lower than the builder's sale price. The builder would not come down off the price and the contract stipulated that if the VA appraisal was lower than the sales price, I could walk and get all of my money back. It would seem in this economy the builder would want to work with someone who had the $$$ and was ready to sign, but greed got the best of him so in the end he owns this house now, not me. If he would've worked with us, I would probably own that house right now but I am glad he didn't because I feel like we were getting ripped off.

Dude, sorry for that. I really am. You are right when you compared him to a car salesmen (I work at a dealership so I am allowed to say that). He tried so hard to screw you over, and it looks like you got the upper hand. From one Gator to another, I am sorry that the builder tried to rob you blind.

Good luck on the new house hunt!

Zembonez · August 4, 2008

Glad this is all working out for the best. In the long run. you'll be better off.

GatorFan · August 4, 2008

Glad this is all working out for the best. In the long run. you'll be better off.

Definitely agree with you there Jim. Look at the bright side, I get my $$$ back and go buy new shoes for my rig! You can't beat that at all. Oh yeah, and the wife picked out the wheels that I really wanted (I thought she would freak when I told her how much they cost) and I couldn't believe it. AWESOME!

GatorFan · August 4, 2008

So let me get this straight. You went through the process of building a new house, and you backed out at the end?

Camden I wish it were that easy but that is not really how it occurred but I guess if you took away all the BS, then yes, I guess you could say we backed out. To make a long story short, we were ready to close and three days prior to closing the VA came in and appraised the house $18K lower than the builder's sale price. The builder would not come down off the price and the contract stipulated that if the VA appraisal was lower than the sales price, I could walk and get all of my money back. It would seem in this economy the builder would want to work with someone who had the $$$ and was ready to sign, but greed got the best of him so in the end he owns this house now, not me. If he would've worked with us, I would probably own that house right now but I am glad he didn't because I feel like we were getting ripped off.

Dude, sorry for that. I really am. You are right when you compared him to a car salesmen (I work at a dealership so I am allowed to say that). He tried so hard to screw you over, and it looks like you got the upper hand. From one Gator to another, I am sorry that the builder tried to rob you blind.

Good luck on the new house hunt!

We talked to a real estate agent yesterday and she seemed absolutely positive that we would find the house we wanted with the ammenties we wanted AND it would cost probably less than we would've paid for the other house. She said buying an older house (3-5 years old) is like buying a used car. You get more for your money because the person that bought it new already ate all the depreciation. Works for me. We are really going to take our time now because we kind of know what to expect.