HOME BUYERS BEWARE doing buisness wiwth CONTINENTAL PROPERTIES ....or of any information you receive from agents repreresenting Continental Builders of NJ through Weichert agents that are salaired to represent their properties. Contintental Builders develops residential and commercial properties in New Jersey. I am presently living in Boston but am attempting to return back to my home state of NJ. I became interested in several lots /homes slated for development in 2014. After learning that the model of the home I was interested in had only one remaining lot allocated, I was told by the builder's Weichert agent that if I sent a deposit to the builder asap, it would hold that lot, and put me in first buying position on that lot, thus affording me time to make the trip from Boston to view the lot and put in an offer, assuming I arrived within 5 business days. My check was written before I hung up the phone and it arrived in the hands of the realtor the very next day, Oct. 26.
I showed up to view the property in NJ on Nov. 1, and put in a written offer that day. At the time I made the offer I learned Weichert had also taken another offer that day (a weekend). This subsequent offer was submitted ahead of mine to the builder, and accepted. I was not even able to increase or match my offer. (I'm pre-approved, excellent credit score - none of this was in play).
I understand that 'business is business' but I put my money where my mouth was and was given assurances by the Weichert representatives that mine would be the first offer to be considered by the builder, which it was not. So, I am here to let anyone else in a situation like mine, who thinks a deposit and the policies of Continental Builders' carries any modecum of business integrity or truth, that they do not. I am out several hundred dollars for a round trip visit from Boston to NJ based on the falsehoods of these so called 'professionals.' I am, of course, disappointed to have lost the opportunity to bid on the home I'd wanted...but something else will present itself, I'm sure. This may seem like a small thing but to have been told one thing, sent a check, traveled, and held up my end of the agreement 100%...only to learn that the builder changes the protocol and rules at whim...it's not right. So I want to warn anyone doing business with these people to watch yourselves.
CarolW
Boston,#2Author of original report
Tue, November 05, 2013
Thanks for the comments and additional info around deposit and contract. The lot deposit was a precursor to an offer - but not a contract. I get this part. Yes, I think we are in agreement that the builder/ builder's agent misrepresented the information to both my realtor and to me. Although I do realize the builder has the final call in the end. It was still mishandled and you or I might have chosen a different route (not taken the trip down right away) if this was represented honestly by Contintental Properties right from the start of our transaction. I hope this post helps others learn what to watch out for.
FloridaNative
Palm Beach Gardens,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, November 05, 2013
Sending in a deposit to a builder doesn't take the property off the market unless you simultaneously sign a reservation and or contract to purchase with a clause to view the property. The builders agent should have warned you that sending in a check won't take it off the market. I am not defending the builder or the builder's agent at all, just letting you know how the business works.