This is a good reason why you should always hire a Real Estate Professional whenever you buy a house.
Over 10 years ago before I became a Realtor® in Long Beach, CA, I came across something that utterly shocked me! While home shopping with a friend in a hilly area of west Los Angeles, we came across a neat row of large model homes. There was a lot of foot traffic and activity and it looked very festive with balloons and flags as the home builder was celebrating their last phase.
As we parked across the street and got out of the car, we were immediately handed a florescent green flyer by a resident standing in their front yard. Whoa! It was a very detailed complaint sheet. Just behind him lodged in a picture window was a matching large florescent green poster stating in handwritten letters, "Do Not Buy Ask Us Why!" I then noticed there were similar posters positioned in the windows of a few nearby homes that faced the model units! One person even had a flyer box (the kind agents use) on their front lawn filled with what looked to be the same florescent green complaint sheets! These people were serious!
HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A HOME BUYER SCORNED!
The list detailed what some of the previous home buyers stated as being egregious and flagrant faulty building and cheap products used by the home builder! This didn't list just a few things, this was a double-sided sheet of paper listing problems that ranged from sparking outlets, entire kitchen islands shaking when the garbage disposal was turned on, to major water leakage from bay windows and even foundational issues!
In addition to that, the home buyers in what I guess was a preemptive strike to keep the home builder from claiming the issues as isolated incidents or standard home settling, used a chart listing addresses with a checkmark next to each problem. I recall seeing more than one issue in which all participating addresses had a checkmark for the same problem. Now thinking back, I can't help but wonder how many of the angry homeowners used a Realtor® and had a professional home inspection performed prior to purchasing? Were they under the misconception that because it was new it didn't need an inspection? Did they also forget that the pretty or handsome home sales consultant working in the air conditioned model home office worked for the home builder and seller? If only they had a Realtor®, a professional property inspection and knew What Questions to Ask A Builder.
EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS ISN'T GOLD
My friend and I felt slightly guilty when crossing the invisible picket line as we ventured inside the model homes out of curiousity. The interiors of the homes were absolutely gorgeous! There was one beautifully appointed feature after another! But as we toured each room, we couldn't help but to recall that some of those same impressive features were heavily checkmarked on the list.
EYES WIDE OPEN
It was a great lesson to use professional representation when purchasing a home! Do not allow incentives to cloud your judgment on one of the most important decisions of your life. In the home buying process, whether it is for a brand new home or a previously owned home, the buyer does NOT pay a commission or a fee to their Realtor® or agent. The agents on both the b
uying and selling side are paid out of the proceeds of escrow by the home seller/owner or those acting on behalf of the builder. Why not have professional representation? Call a Realtor® when purchasing a previously owned home or before registering with a new home builder or community. Make sure it is an agent who will not leave you on your own, but one who will assist you by being readily available to answer any questions you may have, review documents with you, coordinate inspections and follow up with you throughout the entire process until closing.
If you are interested in purchasing a home new or previously owned, do not hesitate to call me at 310-508-4354! I look forward to working with you!
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First posted new home photos courtesy of Creative Commons
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Prudential 24 Hour Real Estate Direct: (310) 508-4354 ~ Alternative (562) 726-ANDI ~ Fax (562) 861-0285 Email: andi@andigrant.com DRE # 01728424
If you or your clients are looking for a saavy Realtor® to assist with any real estate needs in the Greater Los Angeles area including Long Beach, Downey, Lakewood and its surrounding communities, do not hesitate to call me at 310-508-4354.
HAPPY CLOSINGS!
Lanre,
this is so true. many buyers think they will save money by not using an agent and receive the incentives..so untrue!
Thanks for the reblog Lanre!!