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Buying or Selling a Home/refund our deposits fom builder

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Expert: - 4/24/2007


Question
QUESTION: we signed a contract to purchase a townhouse in Florida.We signed contract on 02/04/05 to be completed by 02/04/07 at the very most. The builder has not completed the townhouse and now we want our $22,000  deposit refuned.we have not be able to reach the builder.Please help.....
ANSWER: Uh oh!  This doesn't sound too good.  You may have to enlist the assistance of an attorney.  First try sending a registered letter to the builder saying that you want to cancel the contract since the date of 2/4/07 has now come and gone. An attorney might advise you on specific wording and other requirements.  Just because dates aren't met doesn't necessarily get you out of a contract until you use certain verbiage.  That is why you will undoubtedly require an attorney's services since real estate brokers are not allowed to give legal advice even with respect to real estate contracts.

good luck and best wishes.
Jessica Bryan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: we have contacted a relestate lawyer . She has  sent  registered letters 3 times. they were  received .The green cards  were signed, and returned so they received the letters.Now we filed with AAA mediations as per  what our contract requires,no reply. so far everything we have done and we still have not received a call,letter, or any type of explanations from them.I guess we will have to file a law suit?.Unless you have any other suggestions.My last question to you was the one right above this one .Townhouse ,in Florida trying to get $22.000.refund.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Florida


Answer
Dear Arlene;
Could you try to call one of the television news stations that have consumer advocates?  Often, local stations have a segment where they go after services, sellers, and businesses.  However, if that doesn't work, then a law suit may be your only recourse.  I don't understand why there was no reply to your request for mediation.  Is the builder still around?  Is there a Seller's agent you can contact? What does your attorney say?

~Jessica Bryan

Buying or Selling a Home

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Jessica Bryan

Expertise

buying and selling process such as:
General questions from first time buyers
How to market a home
Why choose a REALTOR
How do I find a REALTOR
Should I consider buying or selling without a REALTOR--how much can I save
Should I remodel or move
How much can I expect to gain by fixing up my home before selling
Helpful tips when selling
Helpful tips when buying
finding a good mortgage loan
what is the difference between banks, mortgage bankers, and mortgage brokers
Questions from the general public, people thinking about getting their real estate license, newly licensed.
Fellow professionals who have interests in networking and how to get started
What is a market evaluation and how does it differ from an appraisal what are the different loan programs
services a REALTOR can perform
when to use a lawyer
when to use escrow
what are the regional differences in the buying and selling process
what is the MLS and how does it work
how can the layman access information on the web--listings and other information
These are just a few of the questions. I can suggest that if I am unable to answer a question I will refer the inquiry to a source that can.

Experience

Anyone who is in this business and who dedicates oneself to professionalism has continued to take classes and along with it,additional credentials, awards and honors. I can list a host of them, but my greatest accomplishments happen to be those of getting first time buyers (who didn't think they could afford to buy a home)into a home of their dreams. The look on their faces when I hand over the keys is worth all of the hard work.

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