Many of you who read my blog on a regular basis know I am building a new home with Mayer. First off to avoid any legal technicalities that may arise when/if they see this I want to make it clear I am NOT trashing the quality of the homes Mayer builds. My new home that I no longer can afford due to curcumstances beyond my control will very nice and well built...but I wanted to warn anyone who is thinking about using Mayer for their new construction about my situation.
We put a contract to build a new home with Mayer back in Feb/March of this year. It is scheduled to be complete in November. I read the contract thoroughly and thought I understood exactly what was in it. Our biggest mistake was not getting a realtor involved to look over the contract and tell us exactly what certain things meant.
A few months later something happened that will drastically change my life forever. I won't get into on here (many of my clients know what I am talking about though) So it was with great sadness I informed Randy Mayer, owner of Mayer Homes, about my situation (which just to give you an idea of what I am going through...it's like I am stuck in the middle of a lifetime movie with no commercials and I can't get out)
In a letter I wrote to Mr. Mayer I informed him that I was/am emotionally and quite possibly financially broke due to circumstances beyond my control and would not be able to continue through with the contract on the house. I gave him the whole story of what happened to me. I am quite certain given my situation that I would not qualify for the new loan and literally BEGGED him to let me out of the contract. I also spoke with Karen Anderson, sales manager and and a man named Mark who is supposed to be the customer service manager and they all said the same thing. Karen went a step further though to inform me that "when I signed a contract with Mayer Homes I signed away all financial rights and even if Mayer breaks any part of their end of the contract it doesn't matter..I still signed away financial rights" then proceeded to tell me she wasn't going to argue with me because she had "6 people standing at her door waiting to talk with her about issues that were more important than mine" hmmmm...so is she saying customers aren't important to Mayer? I guess they are only important while they are getting you to try to sign the contract in the first place because let me tell you...they talk a good talk and will tell you what you want to hear.
The bottom line is Mayer Homes is not letting me out of my contract even though they know of my horrible situation...and when I say horrible...I mean really, reaaly, really horrible...and not only are they not letting me out of the contract, they said will sue me even though I won't qualify for the loan. I asked Karen Anderson if this happens frequently and she said "yes" and I asked how many times Mayer sues given these circumstances and she said "Mayer sues everyone that does not follow through on their contract"
Apparently when you sign a contract with Mayer homes there are lots of little things written in there and you are signing your life away. Mayer Homes is a multi million dollar company. Randy Mayer could put my house up as an inventory home and keep my $10,000 construction deposit and be done with it. Seriously Mayer has like 27 communities and build homes for the Bucks for crying out loud. But instead of doing that he is acting like a money hungry, greedy heartless jerk who OBVIOUSLY doesn't care one bit at all about his customers. Having to put one house up as an inventory home in jefferson county is not going to send him into bankruptcy, but it will most definitely send me there...He is basically forcing me into this house knowing I can't even bear to live there now much less afford it. I know contracts are there for a reason...I use them with every wedding...however given the situation and the fact that his company prides themselves on being so customer and family oriented, you'd think he would have a little more compassion. I have never been more disgusted with someone in my entire life. I don't know how this man sleeps at night knowing that he forces his clients to go through on things when he is 100% certain in doing so the house will most likely end up in foreclosure.
So If I can even encourage just one person to not build with Mayer I will think I have done the Saint Louis area a great service. I plan on getting the word out. And if you do decide to sign a contract with Mayer...be soooooooo very careful...even if you think things in your life are perfect and nothing could go wrong...GET AN AGENT...I HAVE A GREAT ONE NOW THAT I WOULD LOVE TO REFER TO YOU...
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
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40 comments:
Unbelievable. My fiance and I just drove through a Mayer subdivision this weekend...no need to worry about buying or building wtih them. Thanks Sara for the heads up and the information. Mayer has no idea the number of potential home buyers that you deal with on such a regular basis.
Hopefully this will help get the word out. Mayer Homes has no clue what they're doing...why would you do this to someone who successfully deals w/ young, homebuying couples all the time? I'll make sure to tell everyone I know.
Sara -
That is just appalling. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Though this isn't my area of law at all, I am going to ask around and see if anyone has heard of Mayer pulling this with other homeowners. The contract sounds like an unconscionable adhesion contract to me - but that doesn't mean they haven't been getting away with it unfortunately.
I'll ask around, and will absolutely warn anyone in the future to proceed with caution with a company like that.
I can tell you that, if they go after you, they should have a duty to mitigate their damages, meaning to sell the house to someeone else and only hold you liable for the difference. Of course, in this market, thats quite a wild card.
You're in my thoughts and prayers that everything works out for you.
Christin
This is a very cold thing to do to a woman and her children.. This is a very good thing to know about Mayer Homes. They could use the home as a display and I know it would sell.
Steve and I have talked about building a house next summer. I want to leave Illinois and move back to St. Louis. I'm glad I read about your situation with Mayer. I can't believe how cold hearted they are with your situation. I will definitely stay away from Mayer homes. I don't want to deal with a company that doesn't care about anything, but money.
Sara~ I am so sorry that you are having to go through this along with everything else that you have to deal with. It is not right that you just don't have a choice. I will be sure to let anyone I know that wants to go with Mayer Homes to rethink what they are doing. Once again I am so sorry.
Sara,
I am so sorry about what Mayer is doing to you. Thanks for the warning about what kind of company Mayer Homes truly is. They are definitely not a company that I want to do business with! I'll spread the word to my family and friends. Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tricia
Sara -
I'm so glad I read this, hubby and I are going to start building in the fall they were one of two builders we were looking at.... you've made my decision very easy :)
Wishing you the best!
Kelly Manno
Thanks for the information Sara. I hope this situation works out for you in the end. I'll spread the word on Mayer's treatment towards you.
Sara, First of all, I am so sorry that you are going through the situation at hand. My thoughts are with you. Secondly, I am glad to hear the feedback about Mayer homes. Very interesting. I don't know how anyone would build with them now, hearing how uncompassionate they are being to you. I believe in karma. What goes around, comes around.
It's incredible, and very sad, that such an established home builder feels compelled to take advantage of hard-working families. Mayer Homes seems to have made it very clear that they are not customer-focused or family-driven. That forces me to forever avoid investing our money with them as a builder.
Sara,
I am really sorry you have to go through all of this. I will definitely keep this in mind, and pass the word along to stay away from this company. It really is a shame. Thanks for sharing. I hope everything works out for the best.
Sara,
Thank you for the info on Mayer homes! I have a lot of brides always talking about building homes and I will make sure to let them know of this! I wish you luck and plan on passing the word about Mayer homes!
Sara,
I went to Whitfield College Prep with the Mayer boys so it comes to my surprise that their family does business this way. I am sorry that they are being so unsympathetic. I am well aware of your current situation and find it unbelievable that a builder of that magnitude would not at least attempt to help out you and your children. They say if you are satisfied, you may tell one person but if you are dissatisfied you tell everyone. Too bad for Mayer Homes.
sara,
You own your own business where contracts are drawn up everyday. Does your contracts say
if there is something that happens
is it gaurante that they will be able to get your money back or be able to brake the contract? All contracts that I have signed in the past you can't brake the contract that is the way life is. Good Luck in your future.
We are so incredibly sorry that you are going through such hard times. You are such a strong, good-hearted, and truly compassionate person... you do not deserve to be treated this way. My fiance works as a sub-contractor for many area builders and he is appalled at the way they are handling your situation. They could easily relieve you of your obligation, keep your $10K deposit, and make EVEN MORE money off of the home by selling it to another buyer. It is such a shame that they are not living up to their "family-first" reputation. We will definitely keep this in mind if anyone ever asks us for a builder recomendation.
We are definitely keeping you in our thoughts and wish you nothing but the best.
Nicole B. & Jim A.
sara,
My house was built by Mayer and we didn't have any problems with them, but we did get a realtor to look over the contract. Next time read all the dotted lines.
Sara, This is just horrible! I am so sorry about your whole situation. I will spread the word about Mayer Homes, considering my entire extended family lives in the St. Louis area, and we are considering purchasing there in the next few years. Maybe Mayer should consider their reputation before treating their clients like crap.
Thanks for your support everyone. I want to address a couple of comments. Yes, I do use contracts. I already stated that. I understand their importance. HOWEVER I have had people that needed to cancel for various reasons...they only lose their deposit ($100-$200 is the most that has ever been lost by someone) I don't make them pay the remaining balance and that is what I was asking Mayer to do...keep my $10,000 and let me out of the contract. They could be coming out $10,000 ahead by putting it up as an inventory home. And to address the second comment, YES Mayer builds a great home. I am amazed by the craftsmanship of the house they are building for me. It's amazing. It's the customer service end I am having issues with given my situation. It's not like I just decided I didn't want the house anymore. I am just letting people know to be VERY CAREFUL before signing a contract to build a new Mayer home and telling people what happened to me. I never said "don't buy a Mayer Home". There is a difference.
Oh my word! That is just absolutely awful. We were looking at some Mayer homes the other day...looks like we will be looking to build with someone else.
Sara~
I am sooo sorry this is happening to you! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hopefully everything will work out in your favor. I will definately keep this in mind when Scott and I build a home. That is a horrible way to run a business, especially for a company that supposedly prides themselves on customer service! Let me know if you need anything.
~Erin Tass
Hi Sara,
Thanks for posting this. I find that word of mouth is the strongest way to learn about a company. It always raises a red flag with me if I hear a bad review on a company.
We just closed on a new home a couple of weeks ago. I am glad we did not purchase a Mayer home! I am so sorry this is happening to such a good person. I know how understanding you are, and this just isn't right. Btw, we didn't have an agent, but we had NO issues with TR Hughes - we are really thankful. You are right, it's a multi-million dollar business - greed will get you no where. I like what the person said below about karma...very true.
Hi Sara,
Mayer homes should be ashamed of the way they are treating you. I am so sorry you have to deal with this. When we're looking for a home we'll be sure to think twice before building with Mayer. Customer service is very important and if this is how they treat their customers-- no thanks!
--Danielle
Sara,
I am a lawyer. Because of ethical obligations, I cannot give you any legal advice without knowing your situation, reading the contract, and doing research first. However, I strongly recommend that you talk to a lawyer. I don't think it's possible to have an enforceable contract in which one party is free to breach it and the other party is not. That wouldn't be a contract. They may just be trying to bully you into thinking that's the case. Fight them. I am sure they will sue you. But there's a difference between being able to sue someone and being able to win!
How horrible. There are many choices to be made by home buyers, with the market the way it's going they shouldn't be burning bridges. Due to circumstances they shouldn't have a leg to stand on. Word of mouth is priceless, they will see... I'll pass this on.
Word of mouth is everything....and this is something that will be passed along! Everyone roots for the 'under-dog'. Best of luck with the situation.
Sara,
I am a broker and I know for a fact that a builder cannot make you buy a home that you do not financially qualify for. I agree with the lawyer above who stated they are "bullying you". Get a lawyer and let them sue you....I highly doubt they would. No judge in their right mind would side with them.
Sara-
Thanks so much for the info. We started looking at contractors so that in another year we could build a house and move back to St. Louis. I'm waiting to make sure my husband will get orders there first. We definitely do not want to go under contract with anyone that has bad customer service. Mayer Homes needs to understand that they can build extremely nice homes, but not have sales due to poor customer service. I'd rather pay more and have better customer service. We feel terrible that you are going through this. Let us know if there is anything we can do. You are in our thoughts and prayers. If you need a lawyer I know several in the St. Louis area.
Sara,
I am so sorry to hear about your situation - it is always horrible to hear that someone gets taken advantage of this way! Hopefully your blog will help others to spread the word never to use Mayer Homes - I know now that I never will!!! I will also let all of my friends know your situation - you are in our thoughts and prayers, hopefully you will prevail in the end!
Sara,
I'm so sorry this is happening to you! I hope Mayer feels the sting of this backlash. You deal with so many new home buyers and I don't think anyone will trust them. I hope through all of this you realize how inspiring you are to hold your head up high and remain a shining example for your children.
So sorry to hear about your situation. I went through a divorce a year and half ago and still trying to get it settled. Hang in there!
I dont know you from Adam.
1. Don't ever buy property or build without an Agent or a Lawyer.
2. This is a rough times for everyone. Hang in there alot of people are losing everything.
3. What goes around comes around.
A Big building company in STL just went bankrupt. They could be next.
Sara, Thanks for the heads up! We were planning to look this summer, so now we know to stay clear of them when we get out there. Hopefully they come to their senses, for your sake. I'll let all my friends and family know as well!
I have been around the people at mayer homes, mr.mayer is a fair man and no longer is involved in the day to day activities of this once proud company.Karen and Harry have run that company into the ground and know all the buyers know not to buy there overpriced, marked up, tired homes. I feel sorry for this once proud company.
Well the point is moot now.
Mayer homes is BANKRUPT and has closed their doors.
The banks own everything now.
This is what happens when you are a JERK in a slow market.
If you were supposed to close in November of 2007 , you may have made it out alive.
The "Sales Representative or Sales Agent" at the displays always works for the Builder or Seller ONLY, no matter what they call themselves or say. They have to do everything to help the builder or seller.
The Realtor we used is an Exclusive Buyer's Agent with The Buyer's Agent of St. Louis.
NO ONE in his office lists or sells homes. So they always work for the buyer.
He warned us about new construction as a first time home purchase.
We had no idea how much the price would go up from the "Base Price" it totaled 35% when they were done. From $185 K flat to $246K after the "Options" were put on.
Windows, doors, etc.
When we went alone, they told us the price would go up on Tuesday, so if we didn't sign the contract then and there we would lose "the best pricing" in five years. They didn't say that when our Realtor was with us.
The "Sales Representative" at the builder told us that we could be closed in 60 days from the contract date.
Our Realtor / Agent told us that unless we bought a "Spec Home or Inventory Home" it would be more like SIX to EIGHT MONTHS from a blank lot to closing.
BTW when our agent was with us, they told a different story about closing, they said it would be November or December before we could close if the weather was good this year, this was in March of 2008.
A lot can happen in six months.
We shied away from the new construction and bought
a 25 year old pre-existing home and are we glad we did.
Especially now that Chrysler is talking about closing the plant I work in.
We wouldn't be moved in and we would still have to buy the house after I lost my job.
At least this way we have the house already and can make the payments on just my wife's salary.
I have the solution for you. I use to work for that company and was astounded at their even mention of suing customers for specific perfomance. As a real estate agent I learned from the best of the best. That we don't burn bridges by suing our client's. Mayer homes has a big issue with back filling the basement without wall reinforcement you will have many bsmt cracks. Every Mayer home I have been in has cracks. This is totally preventable. They are greedy. Back to your issue let them sue you. It will cost them big. Request a jury trial be your own attorney. The moment you file for bankruptsy Mayer Homes law suit is automaticlly dropped by federal law. That is why big corpations file for lawsuit protection.
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