Zillow Advice: Buying Process - scheduled to close on new construction on Thursday....

Showed up for the final walk ...

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:50:00 GMT

Showed up for the final walk through today and the junk microwave was gone, in it's a place was a much better stainless Frigidaire! The builder even admitted that the reason they put in the Goldstar was because they got a better price on it.

It's great that they changed it out, no problems....but pretty shady (imo) that they'd put it in in the 1st place, just hoping nobody would say anything. Shady.

we walked through the house ...

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:33:00 GMT

we walked through the house with the buyer's agent (dual rep) last night. Tonight is the final walk-through with the builder. The buyer's agent was very surprised at the low-end, mismatched microwave. He even said our deal was predicated on exactly what was in the spec home. He is going to try and get the builder to change out the microwave today before final walk-through. Wish us luck....but I'm ready to be disappointed.

Your written contract will ...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:02:00 GMT

Your written contract will dictate your recourse, if any.

Detailing a contract is vital to avert misunderstandings. Oftentimes, a builder has a substitution cause in the contract; so, even if the contract stated a certain model, a builder can provide a substitute. By utilizing specials stipulations in a contract, however, you could supersede this with your desire for a certain brand.

Just threaten to stand in ...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:47:00 GMT

Just threaten to stand in front of the sales office and tell every potential buyer of the builder's practices and I'm sure the issue will be resolved in your favor and quickly.

Good for you jimboy!! Like ...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:33:00 GMT

Good for you jimboy!! Like I said squeak, squeak squeak...

This sorta thing happenned ...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:28:00 GMT

This sorta thing happenned with me. They had not put in the appliances in my house but I noticed the "upgrades" in my neighbors house which was built already. Basically Iwent back to them and they told me they couldn't do anything. I haggled and fought and finally they gave me a refund of 2000 on my closing costs. I felt satisfied.

I am not an attorney, but ...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:11:00 GMT

I am not an attorney, but I would say you have a shot at getting the change made if you are the squeaky wheel. It doesn't sound like you have a contractual leg to stand on, but the builder may cave if you explain how important this is to you. I would try good cop, bad cop. If you are married one of you is the hysterical person who can't believe the bait and switch, the other party is reasonable and just wants things to be right. You can pick who plays each roll the best and roll with that. The hysterical person demands the reasonable person requests the change politely and acknowledges the lack of clarity in the contract. I'd say your have a 70/30 shot at success with many builders especially if you are otherwise easy to deal with and the cost upgrade to all Frigidaire is relatively minimal.