Outrageous!

[dsnrbec]

We are coming down the home stretch on finishing our new home in Buttonwood. It's been hard to swallow the builder's inflexibility during this process but the final blow came this morning. We found out that our house will be finished earlier than they had promised and, of course, we want to move in as soon as possible. Our realtor then informed us that we have to pay a $250 change order fee to change the closing date! It's unbelievable to us that they are changing us a fee for the privilege of handing over nearly $300,000 to them 3 days early! Has anyone else had this experience? I would think they would be delighted to have our money and have the property off their hands a little sooner.

Sorry, but I just had to vent a little. Thanks for listening. We're planning to swallow our pride and pay the fee so we can begin our new life in TV as soon as possible. Can't wait!

[graciegirl]

One of the first things I learned is that what they say is what they mean. It is inflexible.

I was surprised to find out that in buying a new house two years ago that we couldn't upgrade the appliances. At that time if you had a trillion dollars they wouldn't build a house. You could buy already built houses the way they were. Period.

Once I swallowed my surprise and realize I wasn't being picked on...I just got on with it.

Please don't let this sour you against the Developers. You will find that by and large you will be delighted with their other decisions.

Welcome. I hope the rest of a thousand years in Paradise are filled with happy surprises.

Kindest Wishes,
Gracie

[Tom Hannon]

Sorry for the BS You are going through. It doesn't sound fair. Have you tried to run it by your real estate agent? He or she might have some clout and have your charge reversed.

[Tom Hannon]

Welcome. I hope the rest of a thousand years in Paradise are filled with happy surprises.

Kindest Wishes,
Gracie


Gracie? A thousand years? Five hundred maybe, but a thousand? To be honest, I'd be happy with 250 years of Villager life.

[chelsea24]

We are coming down the home stretch on finishing our new home in Buttonwood. It's been hard to swallow the builder's inflexibility during this process but the final blow came this morning. We found out that our house will be finished earlier than they had promised and, of course, we want to move in as soon as possible. Our realtor then informed us that we have to pay a $250 change order fee to change the closing date! It's unbelievable to us that they are changing us a fee for the privilege of handing over nearly $300,000 to them 3 days early! Has anyone else had this experience? I would think they would be delighted to have our money and have the property off their hands a little sooner.

Sorry, but I just had to vent a little. Thanks for listening. We're planning to swallow our pride and pay the fee so we can begin our new life in TV as soon as possible. Can't wait!

I agree! That is outrageous! Personally, I would wait the 3 days and not give them another penny. But, anyway, welcome to The Villages. You will love it here. :welcome:

[Kelsie52]

I can see charging for changes during the construction ... but the closing is a LITTLE over the top --you would think they would want to process the home and move on --but I guess they have so much going on --everything is scheduled for closing and builder walK through --

I would be annoyed also --but look at the big picture you will be living in your new home in only a few days --GREAT for you ---

Where is your new home in Buttonwood --ours is being built in Buttonwood also --closing date is 10/27--

Good luck

[BobKat1]

I agree! That is outrageous! Personally, I would wait the 3 days and not give them another penny. But, anyway, welcome to The Villages. You will love it here. :welcome:

Me too....

[graciegirl]

I think I will tell the new people who have yet to buy a new home here or have one built that you can't expect the process to be like those in the past.
Even if you buy a million dollar home already built.

I have a friend who wanted to put another color of granite into her Gardenia, an unusual one that was not offered. No. She had to have it built, have the counters removed and put in the granite she liked.

I have another friend who was buying an already built new home and wanted to have the carpet changed. No. After the home was closed she changed the carpet.

I am told by friends who have built that there are certain packages of carpet, tile, exterior colors etc. and you can't switch colors or even qualities within that package.When I browse the homes for sale that were built ten or more years ago I see all kinds of colored carpets and inlaid tiles in designs etc. I can only guess that when they were doing all of these personalizations that they got burnt. The home didn't close and they were left with a very...say..unusual and unmarketable combination. Maybe it happened enough times that they decided to change the rules. I know they have learned as they go along in other areas as well.

Once you realize that building a house is different here, it is easier. They have it down to a science, a timetable, and making changes costs money, it holds up their perfect plan.

In the end, once you get used to how they do things, it is usually alright.

When we had the builder walk through with the list of minor things that needed attention, they were accomplished within 24 hours, most within an hour. I am still in awe of that.

We have built seven homes in our life. And plan to build another one here.

[dsnrbec]

I sent you a PM.

[JimJoe]

I would wait the 3 days and give the money to your favorite charity. JJ

[Kelsie52]

We had a good experience building and were told by the Agent --make all the changes you want now--after you sign --we are very "uncooperative "

He let us change tile inserts in showers --cabinet colors and countertops--
stretchs etc all before the final signature


We changed 1 thing (Grids in the windows)as we sat down to sign and it took 4 hours for them to change the contract and it delayed our closing by 2 days

It is a different experience in Florida then here in NY --when we were ready to sign we told them we wanted our Lawyer to look at the contract --They told us --does not really matter what he says --the contract is what it is --if you cross anything out --we throw out the contract --its our way or the highway !!!

Here in NY --the contract has been passed back and forth several times for changes by both parties in order for us to sell ...

I wouldnt pay them for the change either --but then again I will be paying over 100 a day in a Hotel waiting for the home to be finished ---

Cant wait to get there

[784caroline]

AS a previous poster stated, everything is geared to the closing date on your contract. If you want to change something, it is not simply a matter of changing a date..there is work and alot of coordiantion involved to change a closing date.

You are getting upset over a non-event ... You stated that you are frustrated over the builders inflexibility but didnt go into any details. Regarding your closing date, it sounds like the builder is being flexible but now you dont like the terms. I am surprised that they even gave you the option of closing 3 days earlier than whats in your contract. Certainly hope you have no real issues with your home in the first year of occupancy...but be aware when the Villages state you have a one year warranty..they mean one year not one day afterwards. During that first year they will practically fix any problem or issue brought to their attention. After the first year, you may get something fixed but it will be a hassle...even if your 3 days late.

I would take a deep breath and relax...if closing 3 days early means that much to you, chalk it up to experience and the unknown expense of building a new house or moving.

[getdul981]

If you were sitting there in TV just waiting for the home to be built, I would say probably go ahead and take the early closing. But, I know that you are not and have probably made your plans to make the move a day or two before the close date. You would have to change all your moving plans and hopefully the movers could accomodate. I'd tell them to wait the 3 days unless they will drop the carges that were THEIR doing. I don't see why you should have to pay for their error in calculating the close date. Glad you're finally getting there though. We'll be along shortly I hope. Congratulations! :wave:

[cwnavy1]

too, and though it had to do with some difficulties in financing over which we had no control, it did cost us another $250. We just ate it without worrying too much about it. There were too many other good things about the whole deal. We are now in, as of last Sunday (in Pennecamp) and delighted with all that's happening. Now, we're just waiting until we can be full time.

[villages07]

Yes, it is a pretty rigid process and the cost/accommodation might have to do with rescheduling logistics.

But, on the positive side.... how many of us have built homes in the past and were promised a completion/closing date by the builder only to see the date slip several times. Hard to complain about something being 3 days early.... that's a heckuva lot better than 2 months late.

Enjoy your new home, whenever you move in. This little inconvenience will long be forgotten in 6 months.

[pauld315]

Does seem a little inflexible, but understandable. With the volume of homes they are building and closing on, especially since for people to get the $6500 tax credit they have to close by the end of September, they have to run a very schedule oriented operation. In order to close on an additional home that day it would require either overtime or a reshuffling of the schedule. In the "normal" world, you usually don't run into this kind of problem.

[bluedog103]

You're justified in your outrage. I would be pretty pi**** off too.
I try to remind myself when confronted with mindless rules and inflexibility that in 5 years it won't matter. Then try to move on. Life is too short to worry about things you can't control.
If you recall how you used to order a new car in the 1960's, you picked out the color, all the options and ordered the car. In a few weeks you'd get that long awaited call from the dealer that your car had arrived. Now you pretty much buy what's on the lot. You can order a very few options, which are dealer installed.
I guess TV is doing pretty much the same thing and I guess it works for them. They sure sell alot of homes. The fact that the customer is inconvienced is of little or no importance to the policy makers at TV.
Still, it's a great place to live and I'd buy in TV again in a heartbeat.

[getdul981]

You're justified in your outrage. I would be pretty pi**** off too.
I try to remind myself when confronted with mindless rules and inflexibility that in 5 years it won't matter. Then try to move on. Life is too short to worry about things you can't control.
If you recall how you used to order a new car in the 1960's, you picked out the color, all the options and ordered the car. In a few weeks you'd get that long awaited call from the dealer that your car had arrived. Now you pretty much buy what's on the lot. You can order a very few options, which are dealer installed.
I guess TV is doing pretty much the same thing and I guess it works for them. They sure sell alot of homes. The fact that the customer is inconvienced is of little or no importance to the policy makers at TV.
Still, it's a great place to live and I'd buy in TV again in a heartbeat.

I don't know how you buy cars, but the last 3 we bought had to be ordered. The dealer did not have EXACTLY what we wanted. Maybe you're more inclined to just settle.

I still think is is rediculous for them to have to pay the developer to close early. It's their screw up. If the buyers had made the mistake, then they should have to pay, but not in this case.

[Tom Hannon]

Hold the phone- Paul D You said "With the volume of homes they are building and closing on, especially since for people to get the $6500 tax credit they have to close by the end of September,"

I thought that rule ended in April. We closed on August 16. Are you telling me that I get the $6500 tax credit. If this is so, prove your point and I owe you a dinner.

[rjm1cc]

I think when you look at TV you have to total up all the on going fees, deed restricitons, inflexability to change etc as the cost of living in the village. If you think you will not be happy with this way of life them you move on. Looks to me that what ever the developer did, he has meet the needs of more people than any other developer.

[bkcunningham1]

Hold the phone- Paul D You said "With the volume of homes they are building and closing on, especially since for people to get the $6500 tax credit they have to close by the end of September,"

I thought that rule ended in April. We closed on August 16. Are you telling me that I get the $6500 tax credit. If this is so, prove your point and I owe you a dinner.

If you had a binding sales contract signed by May 1, 2010, you have until September 30, 2010 to complete the purchase, or close, to receive the federal housing tax credit. ($8,000 first time buyers, $6.500 repeat buyers.)


http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206293,00.html

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5405.pdf

[BogeyBoy]

I don't know how you buy cars, but the last 3 we bought had to be ordered. The dealer did not have EXACTLY what we wanted. Maybe you're more inclined to just settle.

I still think is is rediculous for them to have to pay the developer to close early. It's their screw up. If the buyers had made the mistake, then they should have to pay, but not in this case.

What's the screw up? The builder had a deadline to meet and that's what he did. Just because he was a little early doesn't change the closing date agreed upon when the home was purchased. Unless things have changed they pay penalties if they don't make the date so being early is in their best interest, not your convenience.

To ask to close early involves: 1) scheduling, perhaps they already had a full schedule of closings for that earlier date. 2) paperwork, if the paperwork is already in the system and ready to be printed or already printed it would have to be redone. Also the various fees, interest, etc. would have to be recalculated. 3) The builder's walk through, again he may have a full schedule for that date. 4) utilities are probably scheduled to be switched on that particular date.

In my experiences TV does a great job of closing on time. When they say September 9, they absolutely mean September 9. They have a team of little worker bees buzzing around and getting everything ready for that date, and when September 9 arrives the little bees are all lined up ready for the closing.

[SALYBOW]

We were told the same thing. We could have cosed 7-5 instead of 7-23 but we were too stubborn to pay the money. Same thing happened to our neighbor. I am from Cincinnati the home of "Proctor and God" It seems there is a new one here. Morse and God. Tee Hee

[laryb]

Hold the phone- Paul D You said "With the volume of homes they are building and closing on, especially since for people to get the $6500 tax credit they have to close by the end of September,"

I thought that rule ended in April. We closed on August 16. Are you telling me that I get the $6500 tax credit. If this is so, prove your point and I owe you a dinner.
Tom, Here's what I found....
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6614AE20100702:thumbup:

[getdul981]

I think when you look at TV you have to total up all the on going fees, deed restricitons, inflexability to change etc as the cost of living in the village. If you think you will not be happy with this way of life them you move on. Looks to me that what ever the developer did, he has meet the needs of more people than any other developer.

I agree that you can not find a better place to be even with all the restrictions and inflexibility. It is undoubtedly the best place we could have hoped to find to live (even thought we're not there yet). However, I still do not think the purchaser should be made to pay for ANYTHING that the builder made an error on. The original poster did not indicate whether it was an option to close early and if so, they would have to pay the $250. If it is an option, and they feel like paying to move in early, OK, but I got the feeling that they didn't want to move in early.

[graciegirl]

I agree that you can not find a better place to be even with all the restrictions and inflexibility. It is undoubtedly the best place we could have hoped to find to live (even thought we're not there yet). However, I still do not think the purchaser should be made to pay for ANYTHING that the builder made an error on. The original poster did not indicate whether it was an option to close early and if so, they would have to pay the $250. If it is an option, and they feel like paying to move in early, OK, but I got the feeling that they didn't want to move in early.

Greg.

Finishing early doesn't seem to be an error. The buyer wanted to change the closing to be earlier. Please reread the first post. And I agree with the worker bee post. I doubt if anyone in this country has the volume of home sales that The Villages has...right now.

I understand her frustration. It seems like it could have been worked in. There are just so many closings happening every day.

[Tom Hannon]

LaryB The page wouldn't come up...
Page Not FoundOur apologies, the requested page was not found. Please double-check the URL for proper spelling and capitalization. If you're having trouble finding a page in Reuters, please chose from the options below:
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If you still can't find what you're looking for, you may wish to send a message to the Help Desk

[bkcunningham1]

Tom, see my above post regarding the federal housing credit. I linked to the IRS regarding the matter.

[getdul981]

Nevermind.

And Tom, try right clicking on the link and then click on open in a new window.

[Tom Hannon]

Although we closed in August, we purchased the house in July, so I believe the tax credit is no good for me.

[bluedog103]

:crap2:I don't know how you buy cars, but the last 3 we bought had to be ordered. The dealer did not have EXACTLY what we wanted. Maybe you're more inclined to just settle.

I still think is is rediculous for them to have to pay the developer to close early. It's their screw up. If the buyers had made the mistake, then they should have to pay, but not in this case.

I've bought 5 Honda Accords in a row, a Chrysler convertible and a Dodge pick-up, a Chevy pick-up, that's in quite a few years. The Hondas over the last 20 years and the others in the last 10 years or so.
Granted, I'm not especially fussy but I haven't had anyone offer to build me a car since the 1970s. They swap from dealer to dealer and will add on some options but that's about it.
If I were buying more expensive vehicle perhaps they'd build me one.

[jmitchell]

I don't know how you buy cars, but the last 3 we bought had to be ordered. The dealer did not have EXACTLY what we wanted. Maybe you're more inclined to just settle.

I still think is is rediculous for them to have to pay the developer to close early. It's their screw up. If the buyers had made the mistake, then they should have to pay, but not in this case.

I'm a little confused -- It's the developers "screw up" for completing the home 3 days early? I would imagine that they want to make sure that they are not late in finishing so as to not make the buyer have to wait to move in. IMO finishing a few days early is not really screwing up.

[JimJoe]

Although we closed in August, we purchased the house in July, so I believe the tax credit is no good for me.

You are right and.. some idiots in Washington are now talking about another house tax credit to FIX the housing market.
Don't worry about missing the credit. My belief is sellers knew about the credit too and the asking price or negotiated price reflected it.
Forget about it and enjoy The Villages. JJ

[laryb]

LaryB The page wouldn't come up...
Page Not FoundOur apologies, the requested page was not found. Please double-check the URL for proper spelling and capitalization. If you're having trouble finding a page in Reuters, please chose from the options below:
Go to the Reuters home page.

Browse the Reuters site map

If you still can't find what you're looking for, you may wish to send a message to the Help DeskTom, the problem was I put a thumbsup and the end and it didn't come up as a graphic. Try this...
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6614AE20100702

[Tom Hannon]

It works. If you read the fine print, it will show I don't get tax credit because I bought after April. Not the first time in life I was screwed.

[Walt.]

..It's their screw up. If the buyers had made the mistake, then they should have to pay, but not in this case.

What screw up exactly? Maybe I'm missing something but it seems that the builder was even more efficient than expected. The "screw up" was that he was done even quicker?
If the house was late the complaint would be "I was stuck in my old house... I couldn't sell it... you gotta reimburse me a hotel (even if I stayed in my old house)."
It's early and that's the problem?
If it's such a hardship for the buyer perhaps he should just take the original closing date and just move on.

[laryb]

It works. If you read the fine print, it will show I don't get tax credit because I bought after April. Not the first time in life I was screwed.

Unfortunately,Tom, probably not the last time!!!

[Talk Host]

When you think about it, the house isn't yours. It belongs to the developer. He agreed to sell it to you at a certain price. Now, you wish to take possession of his house three days early.

The developer has already scheduled your closing and started the paperwork for the closing on the original date. Attorneys have drawn up contracts with dates already plugged in. The electric company, gas company and the county have all been notified that the ownership with transfer on a certain date.

Now, if they move up three days, all of that has to be changed. It will likely cost them more than $250 in labor to get that all done.

Only my guess.

JLK

[Tom Hannon]

Unfortunately,Tom, probably not the last time!!!

I hear you LaryB. Was hoping my experence with other regular Village People will be more rewarding. FRom what I've seen so far, nobody in TV are out to shaft anyone...but I'm sure there are one or two dirtbags out there. The trick is to either avoid them.

[dsnrbec]

I hadn't thought about the seller docs having to be changed. That's an excellent point if, in fact, they have already been prepared. From my perspective this morning, it seemed like they had finished the house early, I was a ready, willing and able buyer who wanted to take possession early so why should that cost me extra? I've been in real estate for many years and never seen anything like that happen. Now that I've taken Gracie's advice and "taken a deep breath", I have decided that closing 3 days early will cost me approximately $82 a day and that's a small price to pay for living in paradise!

[collie1228]

Every construction schedule, whether it be house construction or bridge construction, will have some slack in it. Sometimes it's called "schedule float". Without some slack in the schedule, any small hiccup could delay the entire project and cause the builder to pay penalties. So when everything in the building process goes well with no problems, the builder will get done early, as he didn't need the slack built into his schedule. Not a screw up at all - actually it's evidence that the builder has his act together. And I just read that The Villages had just under 2400 closings in 2009, so you can imagine how chaotic it might be if they were constantly changing closing dates at the last minute. My guess is the fee is designed to discourage those last minute changes.

[bkcunningham1]

I hadn't thought about the seller docs having to be changed. That's an excellent point if, in fact, they have already been prepared. From my perspective this morning, it seemed like they had finished the house early, I was a ready, willing and able buyer who wanted to take possession early so why should that cost me extra? I've been in real estate for many years and never seen anything like that happen. Now that I've taken Gracie's advice and "taken a deep breath", I have decided that closing 3 days early will cost me approximately $82 a day and that's a small price to pay for living in paradise!

It has been my experience that Gracie is a deep breath of fresh air. Always the voice of reason that Gracie girl. I hope this is the worst glitch you have in your new home and your life in TV! Best wishes.

[Indy-Guy]

No one has posted anything that has stated that the developer has delayed their closing because the home was not done in the agreed time. The Villages almost always does what they say they will do without to many changes on their part. I don't know of any time that they have not but I am sure they have had their moments.

That being said this aint Burger King and you can't have it your way!

[Pturner]

Personally, I'd wait the three days as originally planned. But as others have said, I wouldn't sweat it either way. Paradise is not lost.

All best wishes in your new home!

[elevatorman]

I was told by our agent that they only missed one closing. That was when the tornado hit and the closing was held in the afternoon instead of the morning.

[pauld315]

It works. If you read the fine print, it will show I don't get tax credit because I bought after April. Not the first time in life I was screwed.

You weren't screwed. This program was so widely known and went on for months. You just didn't buy during the timeframe to qualify.

[pauld315]

Every construction schedule, whether it be house construction or bridge construction, will have some slack in it. Sometimes it's called "schedule float". Without some slack in the schedule, any small hiccup could delay the entire project and cause the builder to pay penalties. So when everything in the building process goes well with no problems, the builder will get done early, as he didn't need the slack built into his schedule. Not a screw up at all - actually it's evidence that the builder has his act together. And I just read that The Villages had just under 2400 closings in 2009, so you can imagine how chaotic it might be if they were constantly changing closing dates at the last minute. My guess is the fee is designed to discourage those last minute changes.

You sound like a Project Manager....like me !

[getdul981]

I mis-read the original post. I was under the impression that they were trying to force the early closing. It was made an option and they have decided to pay and close early. (at least that's what I think I read)

[kittyclev]

We had the same experience a year ago. We paid. We're so happy here we'd really forgotten about it. Welcome!