I recently took one of my home buyers through Rainier Vista, a new community in Covington. As we drove in the community, we began to look for a model home. However, there was none to be found. As we pulled around the corner, we saw a small trailer sitting back in a corner. Hmmm, I thought, I guess that's the sales center.
My Client and I walked into the trailer, and began talking to a very sweet woman, who turned out to be the sales representative for New Homes LLC. Now, I have to admit, after seeing New Homes LLC homes before, I was instantly turned off. New Homes, despite offering fantastic prices, constructs perhaps the lowest quality homes in Western Washington. But, like I said, the price was right, so we continued to listen as the sales rep gave her pitch.
As the representative continued her pitch, I began to notice that she wouldn't even speak to me anymore; she only addressed my client. She showed my clients floor plans (which turned out to be wrong) and photos. She then told my client that she could take a leisurely 1 hour drive to Bonney Lake to view a model home. At that time, I could tell my client was getting the same vibe I was... something is shady about this operation.
I politely excused myself and my client, and we began to leave. As we began to walk out the door, the sales rep asked for my clients contact information. She did this, despite the fact that I introduced myself as a REALTOR, as we entered the trailer. I stepped in, and gave the sales rep my information, and quickly helped my client out of the trailer. Phew, I thought, we made it out of there.
A few weeks went by after that unpleasant experience. Then, yesterday, I received a phone call from the New Homes LLC Sales Manager. He asked if my client had purchased a home yet. I politely said, "No, She has decided to buy closer over to I-5, in the Kent, Sea-Tac, Burien, areas." That didn't phase him. "Well, what if I told you that we are offering a $10,000 discount on our homes?" "Thanks for the information," I replied, "But my client is out of town for a few weeks, and I think she is pretty set on further West." He still didn't get the hint. He kept pressing. Finally, I broke down and told him that I didn't feel that New Homes provided a good product, and that I had had bad experiences in the past. He responded, "Well, New Homes, are no frill homes but they are very quality." And so the story went. He didn't get a clue. Finally, I told him I had to go. "Can I call you tomorrow?" he asked. "No!" I told him emphatically. "Well, lets sit down and meet in person, " he said. "No! No! No!" I said, " I have to go pick up my wife, I have to go!" He finally let me off the phone.
You see, this person was in sales. I know all the sales tricks. I wouldn't bite. My client wasn't interested and I knew it. However, by being a pushy salesman, this sales manager lost me for life as a potential help in selling his product. I now not only passively dislike New Homes LLC, I vehemently dislike and distrust them. Poor Craftsmanship. Poor Salespeople. Just plain a poor company.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I agree totally, to bad I didn’t read this post before I purchased a home from this builder, I close in December with a list of defect that need to be fixed with a understanding the defect would be fixed within two weeks. I still have the list of defects and now the builder office is closed. I believe my real state agent knew the condition of this builder and never disclosed their condition. It’s a good thing I purchased title insurance and made the builder pay for the builder warranty with a private insurance company. My real state agent used to work for them and I guess the commission was more importance then taking care of your customer. She now work for RE MAX, if she would taking care of her customer instead of worry about putting money in her pocket the return would have been many times over again, because of the market I just purchase another home thru a difference agent and this agent made the process easy.
Ashley U
I disagree with everything you both have posted. While I empathize that you had a bad experience with one of my peer Real Estate Professionals, I cannot believe you would cast judgement on an entire company. New Homes is a QUALITY builder who passes the savings of their low cost construction on to the consumer. Guess what? They build a house at the same cost of other builder with the same materials! The only difference between New Homes and the other builders is that New Homes DOES NOT jack up their price to make massive profit. They pass their savings on to the consumer, EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO! This is a family company with wonderful values. Too bad you didnt educate yourself before limiting your resources to offer your clients such an outstanding value. By the way, New Homes continues to operate and has never been out of business. In fact, I predict their business in building homes will be around far longer than your career in Real Estate.
Hmmm. To the person who says they disagree with both posts, where is New Homes, now? As far as I can tell, they fell off the face of the Earth.
I agree with Ashley, the quality of the house is VERY POOR, did I say VERY, I meant to say EXTREMELY. I have had a list for over a year and half now and every time I see Justin the "SUPER" in the neighborhood I ask him whats going on with my repairs, He always says" I will have call to call the contractor, IE the floor company or the heating company to get them items talken care of. I called the heating company and they told me that they would love to come out and fix my furnace as soon as they get paid from NEW Homes. I got the same anwer from the florring company.
I started to do some research on the company and I know for a fact that they are on the verge of filing for bankrupcy, why do you think they have multiple LLC'S.
They were taking lump sums for one project and paying for god knows what. Then one day Banner bank pulled the plug on NEW Homes funding, I got this from the person at Banner bank, DAVE K.
Trust me from my own experience, you get what you pay for. The quality is very poor, my walls are not square, they very from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 out of square.
When I did my final walk through, I was told that I could not use a flashlight, or any electrical devices. I told the old "Super" that I am paying allot of money for this house and he said well its not a custom built house. if i ever buy a house again, I can assure you that New Homes LLC will not have anything to do with it
By the way they are still in busness, they are operating under "BORG PROPERTIES in Sumner" and Scott HAAS is the man in charge at NEW HOMES, TACOMA BULDERS, BORG OR WHAT EVER NAME THEY ARE USING THIS WEEK.
We purchased 3 years ago and are still waiting for things to be fixed. Although, I do love our home and the construction is good. I think that maybe we bought from them before their business started going South. I know that their "in house" mortgage company is out of business and they are changing their names all over the place. They do have many LLCs - being a builder myself in the past, I know how to do the research! They don't answer emails and they don't have a phone, yet they have recently sent us a bill for HOA dues ????? There is nothing to maintain out here! Not a recommended builder in my book. By the way, my real estate attorney told me that a homeowner can go back on a contractor/sub-contractor for 7 years. The one year warranty is bogus. Good luck everybody.
Hi.. You have a very good blog...
Idaho Real Estate
Post a Comment