Friday, November 03, 2006

Closing: "Final" Walkthrough

Crap. That was the shortest final walkthrough ever. They have NOT done the work, any of it, though they have at least bought the paint colors I requested and a window is there to be installed, and the leak seems to have stopped. I called my lawyer on my cell phone and we're postponing the closing. I also called the crew chief who had said all this would be done and let off a blistering tirade. At this point, I care less about having the work done quickly-- I just want a straight answer on when it's being done so I can plan accordingly, not some "yesyesyes" garbage that it will be done today if that isn't true. Now I have to cancel the start-up orders for gas and electric... fortunately had not called to set up phone service yet. Maybe I shouldn't have tried to line the utilities up in advance anyway-- I've always been paranoid about jinxing things by counting ones chickens before they're hatched! I just feel exhausted, pissed off, I have PMS... I should just tell them to cancel the painting, because this stupid condo will need padded walls by the time I move in!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's too bad. My experience with closings over the past 8 years is that few actually occur as planned. (at the place, on the date, at the time, etc;) Further, with new construction, there are always hiccups. I am not surprised this has happened, and I wouldn't be surprised if it were even delayed a second time. Try not to get too attached to "moving in by a certain time" and just be patient, making sure that they finish everything they are supposed to do. If you don't require that they follow through on the punch list, those items will remain "undone" indefinitely, likely.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am sorry Madame X!

This just sucks for you. You were right to call-off the closing. At this point money is your leverage and showing them that you will hold back until work is done is your best option.

Final walk-thrus are terrible anyway. When I purchased my house the final walk-thru revealed two surprises - a blocked-up window hidden by a china cabinet and damaged flooring hidden by a desk. I went ahead with closing anyway, but it taught me an important lesson - you never know what is hiding behind the previous owners furniture and be prepared for surprises once you finally get to see the place unfurnished for the first time...

At least you are seeing it empty :)

Anonymous said...

Ugh, what you have described is exactly what has happened to many of my friends who bought condos.

You did the right thing, and hopefully your lawyer can light a fire under their asses to do it quickly and do it right.

IRA said...

Sigh...I hope they get it right the next time around. I had similar issues when I bought my first condo. And I made the mistake of going ahead with the closing. It was a sellers' market, and the builder knew that he could flip it to a new buyer for a lot more than I was paying for the unit. So, I was between a rock and a hard place. It took them a year and a half to finish the punch list. And I to deal with two roof leaks (I was on the top floor). When I bought my second condo, I went with an existing home. But that was a nightmare as well. It was a rental unit, the owner was an absolute jerk, and he got into a huge argument with the tenants right before the closing. His realtor threatened to 'fire' him as a client. And that seemed to bring him to his senses.

Also, money talks. So, you're right to delay the closing until they finish the place. Most of these developers already have multiple lawsuits or threatened lawsuits against them. They just shrug them off, knowing it'll take years for the court system to resolve the dispute and most folks give up. But if you withhold money or delay the closing so that it costs them money, that'll probably do the trick. Since it's now a buyers' market, they're less likely to walk away from the deal.

mapgirl said...

Gah... I flashback to Single Ma and the punch list she produced. I hope it doesn't take a letter to the head of the company to get these jokers moving.

I know a guy at work who had an entire wall of his house, i.e. the entire side of it, taken off and redone because it was never framed properly at the outset. You gotta wonder where house inspectors are putting their T-squares and levels to make sure stuff is built properly...

Anonymous said...

since they haven't delivered as promised, are you legally in a position to back out of the deal and get your deposit back? this could actually be a blessing in disguise.

Anonymous said...

How many square feet is the condo?

Single Ma said...

Short and simple:

You did the right thing!