Bertha Tarango of Realty Experts & Security Title Agency Misleading Homebuyers ..Rip-off lies, threats, deception. Bring your lawyer and accountant before singing a contract. *REBUTTALS *EDitor's Comments
Our experience buying our first home has been one of horror. We have been misled with lies, threats and bribery. It started with a realtor named Bertha Tarango that works for Realty Experts in Maricopa County in Arizona, we decided to buy our first home and were really excited.
After meeting with Bertha, she came across really helpful and nice and made us more excited but after signing the contract for a home, everything changed and she became really deceiving. Our loan officer was an acquaintance of Bertha from Carnegie First in Scottsdale, AZ named Nina Carpenter and we provided everything that she needed to make the loan get approved. Every time we wanted the status of the loan, we always had run-around, call Nina, call Bertha, no one knew much.
We received a faxed form to sign from the appraiser that stated that there were possibilities of the home having lead-based paint and termites which started to worry us because we have children.
After letting Bertha know our concern and that we did not want to sign the form, she said that it was standard and that if there were such problems, that they would be fixed. After sending the form, she called and said we could check if there was lead based paint with our own test and if we found lead based paint that she would give us the money out of her own pocket to fix it. We thought about it and decided that we wanted to cancel which it was two weeks before the closing.
When we called Bertha to tell her that we wanted to cancel, she got angry and said that we could not cancel and threatened that the seller's would come after us and sue us. We then talked it over, actually by this time we were so frustrated that it caused my husband and I to separate temporarily, we decided to go through with it to eliminate being sued. Still concerned, we called Bertha to find out how the termite report came back and she said everything was O.K. and that everything was ready.
We received a call from Security Title to go in and sign closing documents on October 25th and if we went in before 12:00 noon, the loan would fund and we would get our key the next day. Well, we got out from work and went to sign and made arrangements to move out of our current apartment. The next day, Bertha to find out about the key and where to pick it up, she told us to call Security Title to find out, (This is supposed to be her job). We called and Security Title said it would not fund because it takes 48 hours and we would have to wait until Monday the 29th. We made different arrangements that day with our landlord and waited until Monday. When we called back on Monday to find out about the key, ( Realtor still has not called us), The title company said that the loan is not funding because there is not a clear termite report that the lenders require to fund, and that there are problems that need to be corrected. The title agency said that the inspector will be at the property at 4:00 p.m. in which I sent my husband to check what was going on and they thought that he was an interpreter for the seller's, and the inspector was angry and said that he told the listing agent about all the corrections that needed to be done and they were not, now the seller's were also angry for this. The inspector told them to correct them and he would come back as soon as they were complete, by this time (the realtor still had not called us).
Well, October 30th came and they were still working on corrections, I called the Title company and spoke to the escrow officer, Cathy Moreno, and I asked her to be truthful and let me know we could still cancel and it was about 10:00 a.m., she said yes and to fax her a letter saying that we are canceling for reason of seller's non-performance to make corrections. We sent the letter by 11:00 a.m. At about 1:00 messages started pouring in saying that they have a document that we signed that gives the seller's until October 31st to make corrections and that the loan would fund today and we could not cancel. During this time, the realtor called my husband and told him to buy me flowers and try to convince me to not cancel. The Title company was leaving messages for us to call the realtor to pick up our keys at the same time.
While all of this was going on, I decided to call the lender's which was Transnational and spoke with a Daniel who was in charge of funding this loan and she said the loan had not funded yet (and here they are telling us to pick up our keys). She was upset also about all of this and said that the loan money had been sent before and if corrections were not made by 11:00 a.m. on October 30th, the Title company had to send back the wire.
When I called back the Title agency, they said that they did not send the money back and this time I spoke with Maryann Valdez which the loan was transferred to just a few hours before and she had a bad attitude saying we have to get the house because it has been recorded and funded, I said I would not accept the keys. At the end of business day at about 5:00 p.m. Cathy Moreno leaves a message for us saying that we have until 9:00 a.m. on October 31st 2001, to send in the reason that we are canceling. It is about 8:30 p.m. on October 30th 2001, and I have just sent a letter saying that we want to cancel because before signing closing documents, we were not aware that there were problems on the termite report that needed to be corrected, (failure of realtor to contact us again), and after finding out three days after signing the closing documents, we have changed our mind to purchase the house on 112 W. Tulsa St in Chandler, AZ, because it could be a future problem for us and is not in our best interest.
In about 30 minutes they had me signing the contract and other documents that totaled about 50 pages. The broker kept saying, O' ... don't worry this is all standard, if there is any problem you can always back out. Sign here and here and here, ..you will get your key tomorrow! We were so excited and trusting! How could they decieve us this way? Don't they have a conscience?
The complete turnaround in her attitude after I signned and paid the $500. It was like a Jeckal and Hyde.
If we would have known about these problems before signing the closing documents, we would not have signed. The Realtor also did not ever mention to us that we had a right to a home inspection, and being a first time home buyer, we did not know these things. The termite damage, possible termites existing, lead based paint which would cancel our funding for closing costs, and all the broker could do was to bribe us with some money if we would just go through the deal. No concern for our childrens' safety with the lead paint, only caring about herself.
I let you all know out there to BEWARE of these companies and their misrepresentations and self-serving deeds. Bring your lawyer and accountant if you do business with them.
I want my expenses to move and other related expenses totaling $2,470 and my $500 deposit back. Not to mention the stress and graviton this caused both my husband and I.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
EDitor's Comments to the above REBUTTAL: Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West.
#90
Sat, November 03, 2001
Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West. There are some historical reasons why this sort of corruption has become acceptable, particularly in Arizona. Real estate represents a lot of revenue which equates to power.
The real estate lobby is very powerful and the temptation to use that power is overwhelming. The temptation to be seduced by that lobby is also overwhelming. There are several indicators that collusion exists between real estate holders, land developers, and law makers.
So, when a single Hispanic family, in this case, is taken advantage of by this corrupt machine, it is not surprising that EXPERT REALTY and SECURITY TITLE AGENCY would tell the Arellano's, ''Go ahead, sue us.'' ..They knew that they did not have the resources to fight their machine in the courts they control.
We would like to know where the City of Chandler was in all this matter? Is this program also managed by them? It is unfortunate that the hard working good people of the City of Chandler are cought in the middle of all this. As for the stae of Arizona, why don't they keep wolves, like Bertha Tarango and Expert Realty away from these programs. Why are there no penalties for such flagrant violations of State law and ethics? Is there really...justice for all?
Note: It is interesting that three other deals have not gone through on this property.
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Nationwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
badbusinessbureau.com, LLC
WORLD HEADQUARTERS:
H. & F. Henville Building
Prince Charles Street -suite 2
Charleston
Nevis Island
West Indies
USA Volunteer Contact & Victim Hotlines:
East Coast 518-923-HELP (4357)
West Coast 602-474-0366
United States west coast office FAX: 425-799-9729
United States east coast office FAX: 305-832-2949
Remember.
Don't let them get away with it!
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report.
EDitor's Comments to the above REBUTTAL: Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West.
#90
Sat, November 03, 2001
Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West. There are some historical reasons why this sort of corruption has become acceptable, particularly in Arizona. Real estate represents a lot of revenue which equates to power.
The real estate lobby is very powerful and the temptation to use that power is overwhelming. The temptation to be seduced by that lobby is also overwhelming. There are several indicators that collusion exists between real estate holders, land developers, and law makers.
So, when a single Hispanic family, in this case, is taken advantage of by this corrupt machine, it is not surprising that EXPERT REALTY and SECURITY TITLE AGENCY would tell the Arellano's, ''Go ahead, sue us.'' ..They knew that they did not have the resources to fight their machine in the courts they control.
We would like to know where the City of Chandler was in all this matter? Is this program also managed by them? It is unfortunate that the hard working good people of the City of Chandler are cought in the middle of all this. As for the stae of Arizona, why don't they keep wolves, like Bertha Tarango and Expert Realty away from these programs. Why are there no penalties for such flagrant violations of State law and ethics? Is there really...justice for all?
Note: It is interesting that three other deals have not gone through on this property.
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Nationwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
badbusinessbureau.com, LLC
WORLD HEADQUARTERS:
H. & F. Henville Building
Prince Charles Street -suite 2
Charleston
Nevis Island
West Indies
USA Volunteer Contact & Victim Hotlines:
East Coast 518-923-HELP (4357)
West Coast 602-474-0366
United States west coast office FAX: 425-799-9729
United States east coast office FAX: 305-832-2949
Remember.
Don't let them get away with it!
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report.
EDitor's Comments to the above REBUTTAL: Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West.
#90
Sat, November 03, 2001
Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West. There are some historical reasons why this sort of corruption has become acceptable, particularly in Arizona. Real estate represents a lot of revenue which equates to power.
The real estate lobby is very powerful and the temptation to use that power is overwhelming. The temptation to be seduced by that lobby is also overwhelming. There are several indicators that collusion exists between real estate holders, land developers, and law makers.
So, when a single Hispanic family, in this case, is taken advantage of by this corrupt machine, it is not surprising that EXPERT REALTY and SECURITY TITLE AGENCY would tell the Arellano's, ''Go ahead, sue us.'' ..They knew that they did not have the resources to fight their machine in the courts they control.
We would like to know where the City of Chandler was in all this matter? Is this program also managed by them? It is unfortunate that the hard working good people of the City of Chandler are cought in the middle of all this. As for the stae of Arizona, why don't they keep wolves, like Bertha Tarango and Expert Realty away from these programs. Why are there no penalties for such flagrant violations of State law and ethics? Is there really...justice for all?
Note: It is interesting that three other deals have not gone through on this property.
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Nationwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
badbusinessbureau.com, LLC
WORLD HEADQUARTERS:
H. & F. Henville Building
Prince Charles Street -suite 2
Charleston
Nevis Island
West Indies
USA Volunteer Contact & Victim Hotlines:
East Coast 518-923-HELP (4357)
West Coast 602-474-0366
United States west coast office FAX: 425-799-9729
United States east coast office FAX: 305-832-2949
Remember.
Don't let them get away with it!
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report.
EDitor's Comments to the above REBUTTAL: Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West.
#90
Sat, November 03, 2001
Welcome to the real estate business in the Wild West. There are some historical reasons why this sort of corruption has become acceptable, particularly in Arizona. Real estate represents a lot of revenue which equates to power.
The real estate lobby is very powerful and the temptation to use that power is overwhelming. The temptation to be seduced by that lobby is also overwhelming. There are several indicators that collusion exists between real estate holders, land developers, and law makers.
So, when a single Hispanic family, in this case, is taken advantage of by this corrupt machine, it is not surprising that EXPERT REALTY and SECURITY TITLE AGENCY would tell the Arellano's, ''Go ahead, sue us.'' ..They knew that they did not have the resources to fight their machine in the courts they control.
We would like to know where the City of Chandler was in all this matter? Is this program also managed by them? It is unfortunate that the hard working good people of the City of Chandler are cought in the middle of all this. As for the stae of Arizona, why don't they keep wolves, like Bertha Tarango and Expert Realty away from these programs. Why are there no penalties for such flagrant violations of State law and ethics? Is there really...justice for all?
Note: It is interesting that three other deals have not gone through on this property.
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Nationwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
badbusinessbureau.com, LLC
WORLD HEADQUARTERS:
H. & F. Henville Building
Prince Charles Street -suite 2
Charleston
Nevis Island
West Indies
USA Volunteer Contact & Victim Hotlines:
East Coast 518-923-HELP (4357)
West Coast 602-474-0366
United States west coast office FAX: 425-799-9729
United States east coast office FAX: 305-832-2949
Remember.
Don't let them get away with it!
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report.
UPDATED INFORMATION
#90
Sat, November 03, 2001
The address & registered agent for Security Title Agency, Inc, is: 5620 N. 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
The registered agent for Security Title Agency, Inc, is:
CT Corporation System, 3225 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The registered agent for Realty Experts is:
Kevin R. Cronin, 8433 N. Black Canyon Hwy, Ste 164,\ Phoenix, AZ 85021
RESPONSE FROM THE VICTIMS: ..In response, I would like to mention more lies from Bertha Tarango on behalf of the seller's response.
#90
Thu, November 01, 2001
Response to Seller:
In response, I would like to mention more lies from Bertha Tarango on behalf of the seller's response. First, Bertha did not help us get money from City of Chandler for down payment and closing costs. The City of Chandler called us directly and let us know that there was a house that was available, since we were wanting this program, and that a realtor would be showing the house on the 11th of September. We went to the house that day where unfortunately, we met Bertha Tarango, and thinking that she was affiliated somehow with the city, we signed a contract that day on the 11th of September. If we would have known otherwise, we would have never dealt with her. So she is lying about having helped us get money from the City of Chandler.
The next lie from Bertha Tarango is that she lied to the sellers about us needing an extension of four weeks to close. We were wanting to close on the first week of October at which time we provided all the documents needed to the loan officer to hurry the process and the loan officer had everything ready by then. Bertha told us that the listing agent (the seller's realtor), was delaying us. (I wonder Why?). So, Bertha lied to both parties that time. It was no wonder that Bertha wanted us to sign before the actual closing date, which we signed on the 25th and were told we would get our key on the 26th, because in that multitude of documents that we signed, there was a document stating that we give the seller until October 31st to fix any damages, (a document that we were never told about specifically).
I should also point out that who ever worte the above rebuttal for the Meza's lied with respect to helping us with $1500 toward closing costs is another lie. The deal only required the Meza's to pay toward the closing costs $1,025 and the rest was being paid by the first time buyers program funded by the City of Chandler. So, how could the Meza's possibly contribute $1,500 toward the closing costs.
Bertha neglected to tell us about this, not to mention that a final termite inspection had not been performed yet. We thought that all the documents we were signing were already explained to us, which most of them were, they just happened to slip that one in (since I signed so many documents, it could easily be missed). Later on, when the document was brought up to us by Maryann Valdez of Security Title Agency, I explained the same thing to her about not being aware of that document and what was on it. She made a smart remark to me and said ''Don't you read English?'' I was extremely upset by this comment since Maryann had gone over each document explaining each one. She had specifically told me that they were routine documents and indicated that there was no need to read it. It was apparent that she wanted to run us through it so we wouldn't be there all day. She had deliberately mislead us with regard to those documents. But we trusted Security Title Agency knowing that they were supposed to be a neutral party in this and thought nothing would be held back from us. We were wrong.
I also wonder why Bertha told the sellers that she was so stressed about us canceling. We wanted to hurry and close the first week of October and we called the loan officer to ask about the appraisal (which was supposed to ordered a week prior), and she said that she had just ordered it, this was after Bertha had told us it was already completed. I called Bertha one day and out of frustration, I called her a liar, a snake, and a b***h. After that, She cut all communication with me and only called my husband, and at one point asked him to talk to me about signing a Quit Claim Deed, which would take my name off the purchase.
Once we found that there was unfixed damage on the property, we feared that there could be more damage in the house also. All who are reading this, please understand that here we are, making the biggest purchase of our lives, how could we continue this purchase with so many lies from the real estate broker and a misrepresented house?
About us not being serious, do you think that we were not being serious by coming this far from September 11th and taking all of this hassle with the realtor, turning on utilities, (we now also have to pay the charges to connect and disconnect), having to be out of our apartment, (while the damages were just getting fixed), we now have to pay extra days we stayed because we thought we were getting our key on the 26th, (which was prior to knowing about the unfixed damages). That to me is serious.
As a consequence to us having had a negligent, lying realtor, we have had to go through all of this and even after canceling, we are still being harassed.
We feel bad for the Meza family because we understand that it was not their fault or ours. We know that they also had miscommunications with their realtor because the seller mentioned this to my husband the day he went to the inspection and found unfixed damages on the 29th of October. If we would have both had honest realtors, maybe things would have been different. At least the Meza family still has a home to be in, unlike us, who are homeless, staying with relatives, and have all of our belongings in storage. I don't think we are looking for excuses to not buy the home when we were ready to move.
The Meza family are not the only one's that have been affected and we do not hold them responsible for our loses. We think that these brokers need to reimburse everyone for their losses because of their lack of honesty, communication, and responsibility. Security Title Agency also bears responsibility because they assisted Bertha in her deception.
I would like to persionally thank the staff at the city of Chandler. This is a great program and they were courteous, kind and professional. I only regret that we were not able to take advantage of this great program for first time buyers.
Sincerely,
Mr and Mrs. Arellano
THE BUYERS
People pretending to be victims are not always the affected. I am the owner of the selling house.
#90
Thu, November 01, 2001
This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #7432.
It was sent by Andres Meza at JMezavega@aol.com.
Bertha Tarango of Realty Experts & Security Title Agency Misleading Homebuyers ..Rip-off lies, threats, deception. Bring your lawyer and accountant before singing a contract. *REBUTTAL *EDitor's Comments (#7432)
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: JMezavega@aol.com
Their name: Andres Meza
Their phone number: 602-4082578
Their relationship to the company: Supporter
Rebuttal:
People pretending to be victims are not always the affected. I am the owner of the selling house. First of all, this person (the buyer) is misleading some important information. The house was biult with block and its upper structure didn't have termites, the damage was found in second half of the fence dividing property with the neighbor behind the property dividing posts far away from the home structure all that area was cured and fence replaced I also had replaced some other studs in the first half of the fence being broken not termites damaged. Also a 2 2 inches long damage areas were cured and corrected from the mobile storage shed which is not part of the home structure and is away from the home. All this was corrected by 11:00 am on October 30th but the certified inspector was able to came until 1:00 pm. I was told to fix all this the evening before at 5:00pm. The limit time was for Oct. 31. I have a free of termites clean report. Days before we had fixed something that was not acctually what I was supposed to correct and it wasn't damaged, it was the other fence.
Now let me clarify about the paint: All houses (and also Schools, buildings,etc.) built before 1978 have lead based paint under the newer paint. My home has been meticulous maintained, and last year was the last time we painted in and out and unleaded paint has been always used obviously. I have also children,we lived there 51/2 years and they are very healthy. I have a clean hazard report from the City of Chandler, This is only an excuse for not buying my home. I am wondering how much older the properties where Mrs. Arellano and family lives are? And Schools nearby?
Because of the buyer (Mrs. Arellano.) lack of seriousness on keeping a deal I was the more affected. I lost my deal of the home I was buying I even changed the utilities there. I also incurred in many related expenses including the almost two months of mortgage I waited for them having my house empty. Who is going to pay me for that ? Only for undecided buyers. In fact I already contacted an attorney and I evaluating my damages. My wife and I were deeply affected and we never split our marriage because of this irresponsibility of the buyers. When both members of the marriage are emotionally normal is not a
reason enough for separation. In my view someone is looking to make money out of our disfortune.
I should had asked for a larger deposit. I commited to help the buyers with $1,500 for the closing costs. I also learned that their realtor Bertha Tarango helped them to get several thousand dollars from the City of Chandler for their downpayment and closing costs. And still is being blamed and profanity language abused by who she wanted to help. In my opinion, all this is as a consequence of negligent way of thinking and lack of seriousness. When I talked to Bertha weeks ago she sounded to me very stressed for the buyers' plans to cancel even after I agreded to give them an extension to close for four more weeks.
By the way , I don't need an interpreter and didn't need one when talking to the termites inspector as Mrs. Arellano stated.
The seller of the home I was buying was financially damaged as well, because as a consequence the deal was cancelled. I think there are people that are careless about causing damage to others.
..it seems that people regularly neglect to consult and use their attorney *EDitor's response to this REBUTTAL / Consumer Suggestion
#90
Wed, October 31, 2001
Bertha Tarango of Realty Experts & Security Title Agency Misleading Homebuyers ..Rip-off lies, threats, deception. Bring your lawyer and accountant. (#7432)
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: DAVE@VHHS.50MEGS.COM
Their name: Dave
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
I hate to see these stories, but the underlying principal is this: how often does anyone spend this kind of money, i.e. the purchase price of a house? This is undoubtedly the largest single purchase most of us will make, yet it seems that people regularly neglect to consult and use their attorney. I can assure you that your attorney would have never let you sign ANYTHING based on the story here, and furthermore the lawsuits would have been going in the other direction.
I am not an attorney or a realtor, but I am a very experienced buyer/seller. A simple rule of thumb is: If you can't afford the $300 to $500 to take YOUR attorney to closing, you clearly cannot afford the house. It is the cheapest insurance you will EVER purchase. All too often I hear "Oh, I don't need my lawyer, the title company is supplying one", or "I don't need my lawyer, I'll have my realtor there".
FACTS:
No one but an attorney retained BY YOU is there to represent YOUR best interests. The interests of the title company attorney is obvious, but you also need to remember that in the vast majority of states, the realtor (yes, YOUR realtor as a buyer) is being paid from proceeds of the sale. It is in their interests to insure the sale goes through. For that, they are actually better representing the SELLER, not the buyer.
It may not be too late. Contact your attorney. Also, most states have a government agency to oversee real estate companies, transactions, ethics, practices, etc. Were I you, I would be speaking with the applicable agency in AZ immediately. Furthermore, most agencies are owned by a broker. You need to make sure that the owner/broker is well aware of this situation as well. He/she would probably prefer not to have this story officially pursued.
UPDATE: I'm in KY. In KY, the law states that I (the buyer) must be given a legal and true copy of any and all documents that I will see at closing. So, that's where I spend my lawyer's time and my money.
:::::::::::::::::::::::
EDitor's Comments to the above Consumer Suggestion:
Dave,
I do need to tell you, in Arizona, it is unheard of when buying a home, to ever use a lawyer. Never ever.
When it comes to commercial property or the purchase is much larger than usual, people tend to use lawyers, because it is not a simple purchase, and even then, a lawyer is often not used.
In this case, the broker was advised and so was the title company, but as usual, they all laughed at this Hispanic couple. The agent at one point told the victims to just go ahead and sue them! The agent knew she could just force the purchase because she most likely has gotten away with it before and knew she would not be held responsible. The problem here, the agent selling the home was too concerned about making her commission and didn't care who she screwed along the way.
There is another case very similar to this that we are working on.
Unfortunately, this happens all too often in Arizona, and as you can read, these incidents are not pursued by the Attorney General's Office. This is one of the many reasons why BADbusinessbureau.com and the Rip-off Report was created.
The husband speaks little or no English and the wife was so trusting of the system. Good trusting people who've never been screwed in their life get fooled all the time when buying their first home or auto. This is not only a f