Ripped by Oakwood-Need Advice
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2002 6:55 pm
Help! Our dreams are turning into a disaster!
We recently completed all paperwork, and our home FINALLY arrived. This is a land/home project financed by Oakwood Homes. We're real happy with the land, but the home is a very different story. This mess has gone from bad to worse. First, our home was initially what they called an "aged inventory" home. We didn't have a problem with that, as the upgrades alone were a chunk of change, and we couldn't afford to add these upgrades into the price of a new home (2 by 6 construction, upgraded insulation, high efficiency furnace and water heater, ect). We purchased this home by the floorplan design, and looking at a few models like the one we purchased. When the home arrived Friday, I was shocked This home isn't new, and if it's any indication from it's present condition, it scares the hell out of me what the future holds. The home was manufactured in 2000, said to have set on a lot as a "display" model. This I didn't mind. Here's where the story gets unbelievable. I was told it had NEVER been occupied. Water, gas and septic had been hooked up. (there is still SH*T in the master bath toilet). The floor in the 2nd bathroom has had so much water damage, the lenoleum floor has totally peeled up away from the wall. The wood floor looks like particle board and has swollen up in several areas. The basement covering has a large section ripped out exposing what little insulation is there. (Supposed to be R-21). The home has been permanently tied down before, evidenced by all the rusty tie down straps still around the frame. Are model homes tied to a foundation at the lot? They aren't at the Tulsa Oakwwod lot, as I peeled back the skirting on several models to see. They are still on their axels, no less. All four end sections (doublewide) have been exposed to the elements, and the particle board is coming loose. It looks like a nappy head of hair. Cracks and wall seperations EVERYWHERE. Looks like mold has been growing around the baseboards, and has worked its way to the sheet rock. Water damage to the carpet and floor where the 2 sections come together. Even the carpet appears to be 2 different shades like the sun has faded it. I could go on and on but you get the message. My question is this. All papers have been signed, with the exception of the final move in, filling out the checklist, and signing off on it. I'm refusing to sign or accept the keys. What are my (and Oakwoods) legal obligations at this point? I'm into this deal (land and home) for $114,000.00 dollars. If this home is only 2 years old and in this shape, what's it going to look like in 5 years? Hell, I'm on a 30 year note that likely will take the rest of my natural life to pay off. I only want what I paid for, no more, no less. The only thing I know to do is get a attorney, but from what I've read in this forum, sounds like I'm screwed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
We recently completed all paperwork, and our home FINALLY arrived. This is a land/home project financed by Oakwood Homes. We're real happy with the land, but the home is a very different story. This mess has gone from bad to worse. First, our home was initially what they called an "aged inventory" home. We didn't have a problem with that, as the upgrades alone were a chunk of change, and we couldn't afford to add these upgrades into the price of a new home (2 by 6 construction, upgraded insulation, high efficiency furnace and water heater, ect). We purchased this home by the floorplan design, and looking at a few models like the one we purchased. When the home arrived Friday, I was shocked This home isn't new, and if it's any indication from it's present condition, it scares the hell out of me what the future holds. The home was manufactured in 2000, said to have set on a lot as a "display" model. This I didn't mind. Here's where the story gets unbelievable. I was told it had NEVER been occupied. Water, gas and septic had been hooked up. (there is still SH*T in the master bath toilet). The floor in the 2nd bathroom has had so much water damage, the lenoleum floor has totally peeled up away from the wall. The wood floor looks like particle board and has swollen up in several areas. The basement covering has a large section ripped out exposing what little insulation is there. (Supposed to be R-21). The home has been permanently tied down before, evidenced by all the rusty tie down straps still around the frame. Are model homes tied to a foundation at the lot? They aren't at the Tulsa Oakwwod lot, as I peeled back the skirting on several models to see. They are still on their axels, no less. All four end sections (doublewide) have been exposed to the elements, and the particle board is coming loose. It looks like a nappy head of hair. Cracks and wall seperations EVERYWHERE. Looks like mold has been growing around the baseboards, and has worked its way to the sheet rock. Water damage to the carpet and floor where the 2 sections come together. Even the carpet appears to be 2 different shades like the sun has faded it. I could go on and on but you get the message. My question is this. All papers have been signed, with the exception of the final move in, filling out the checklist, and signing off on it. I'm refusing to sign or accept the keys. What are my (and Oakwoods) legal obligations at this point? I'm into this deal (land and home) for $114,000.00 dollars. If this home is only 2 years old and in this shape, what's it going to look like in 5 years? Hell, I'm on a 30 year note that likely will take the rest of my natural life to pay off. I only want what I paid for, no more, no less. The only thing I know to do is get a attorney, but from what I've read in this forum, sounds like I'm screwed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.