delayed with moving in

[Brigitte]

Hello there. I am asking advice on behalf of my parents who have endured a long and exhausting purchase of a new manufactured home. They began getting a loan in April of 2005. It took them a while due to a change in WA state home loan laws in August. They secured a loan in September 2005 and are still not in their new home. Their home was supposed to be ready to move onto their lot in November 2005. The original move in date was scheduled for just before Christmas. It is now almost March, and they were supposed to be able to move in this weekend. However, there are many things wrong.
When they put the home on the lot and began to put it together, it was short on one side by about an inch. So, they pieced it together. It does not look right.
When the home was placed on the lot, it suffered a crack in the main structure of one end. My parents notified everyone of this crack at the time. The crack has now been painted over with a paint color that does not match the home. There are many problems inside the home too such as molding around the walls, carpet, paint, nicks and dents. Now the company they purchased the home from is telling my parents they have to sign over the rest of the loan before they will finish the repairs and let my parents move in.
My suggestion to my parents is to get a lawyer involved.
Can you offer us any advice?
Thank you kindly for taking the time to read this, and respond to it!
Brigitte
Frustrated on their behalf!

[rmurray]

Sounds like you have good advice....I would not suggest letting the bank pay off the balance until the home is ready...Most banks will not release the final funds until they are in the home....They should make a complete written list of what needs to be done to satisfy them..Get this to the dealer and tell him he will get his money when complete...They should NOT move in until it is complete...If they move in it can be construed to mean they have accepted final ownership of the home..and owe the money....If this looks like it will be a legal argument..Be sure to get legal advice....

[Carolyn]

We had nearly the identical problem, I was gentle and firm with the home company and informed them that they would not receive a penny until everyhting on the "punchlist" was complete. The home company was also carrying the debt for the garage we added on immediately. Their jaws fell to floor, but they complied. Key...do not lock into an interest rate until they are very close to finished, our people stopped everything when we locked. Than if it expired, the cost was on us, unless you get a written letter from the company stating they will pay any fees and penalties in the event they do not complete the work during the lock time. It's a game, they all play, and this a way for us consumers to fight back