just brought a home

[carolyn s]

I brought a bricader model, the power house, 4br, 2baths, 2dens. I purchased it from boston homes, inc. in halifax Va. Caliver homes is the manufactor. I was approved for the loan in March of 2003. I went to settlement on july 27, 2003. the house was delivered some time in April. The house finally go finished the beginning of Sept.2003. The loan financed through Wells Fargo. The bank told me I will have one month free, which was August. I made my first mortagage payment this month. I still haven't moved in yet. there was some things that the building inspector didn't passed. Boston Homes told me that they took care of the things the inspector indicated. Boston Homes is telling me it's okay to move in. I did my walk in last week. Me and my Dad went through the house and made a list of things that need to be done by the manufactor. I currently lived in Md. and my parents lived in Va. We owned the property, and my parents will be the primary residents living in the new home. My parents was not happy with the whole process of the structure of putting the home together and how the contactors went about the process. for instance, our foundation is brick (skirtting) the debris from the brick that was left over was bruried in front of the house. They dug a 4 foot hole and all the trash and stuff that was left over got buried. Our neighbor seem what happenned and told us. I informed Boston HOmes and told them I do not want that stuff buried there. They came out and dig it up and haul it away. My first question is, "Do I need the okay to move in from the building inspector or from Boston Homes. My next question, how long will it take for the manufactor to come and repair or correct what need to be done on the inside. The list I made after the walk in was fax to Boston Homes, in which I was instructed to do. I'm planning to forward a copy of the list to Caliver Homes. I know my warranty is one year. My parents don't want to move in until it's done. Any suggestion would be greatly appreicated.

[rmurray]

First...Cavalier's warranty of cosmectic items is only 60 days...60 days from the delivery....at best 60 days from the closing...Read you big blue warranty book and watch the VHS tape that came with the home...

If the power is on and you have done the final closing of the loan...You can move in..it there were some objections of the building inspector..they must have been very minor or are fixed..or you would have no power on the home...and you would have no loan...

There is a phone number in the warranty book to Cavalier service..call them..fax them the service call and ask when they will be out..

[Threnody]

That's not necessarily true - I moved in in August and no one from Bellcrest service contacted me until *MARCH*.

What were the issues the building inspector had? We had a few issues with the inspector regarding our brickwork, but moved in anyway. If you have power, you are ok to move in.

[carolyn s]

HELLO AGAIN,
THANKS FOR THE SPEEDY REPLY. I WAS NOT GIVEN A BIG BLUE WARRANTY BOOK AND NO VIDEO TAPE. I DO HAVE THE # AND FAX TO CAVALIER SERVICE. I'M ALL OVER IT. THE PROBLEM WITH THE BUILDING INSPECTOR WAS HE NOTICE THE BRICK IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE APPEARED TO BE HIT BY SOMETHING, MAYBE A BACKHOLE OR SOME TYPE OF VEHICLE OR MACHINE. THIS CAUSE THREE OR FOUR BRICKS TO SHIFT OR CRACKED. I SPOKE WITH THEM TODAY AND HE INDICATED IT WAS TAKEN CARE. THE PUT " MOLDER" MAYBE I'M SAYING IT WRONG, THE STUFF THAT GOES IN BETWEEN THE BRICKS. THIS WAS OKAY WITH THE BUILDING INSPECTOR. I ASKED THE INSPECTOR WHAT WOULD HE HAD DONE. HE SAID HE WOULD HAD REPLACE THE BRICKS THAT WAS CRACKED. ALSO IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, THE LAST SIDING PANEL, THE ONE ABOVE THE BRICK, I BELIEVE THEY CALL IT THE STARTER STRIP, IT IS NOT FASTENED. I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE FASTEN BECAUSE THE TOP LAYER OF THE BRICK HANGS UNDERNEATH. DO THAT MAKES SENSE. HOW WOULD THEY ATTACH IT, TO THE BRICK? AGAIN GUYS, THANKS ALOT FOR THE INFORMATION. THANK GOD FOR THIS NETWORK.

[rmurray]

First...you need to get your owners manual and set up manual...This is a HUD requirement that they be delivered at closing...Also..Cavalier REQUIRES the dealer to deliver these to you and you must sign a statement that you have it...talk to your dealer about this..If they are not forthcoming...call Cavalier and ask for one..

I am not sure I exactly follow what you mean by "starter strip"..vinal sidings first row of siding is about 18 inches wide...it is attached to the home...not the brick...

These 2 issues seem like they are completely dealer set up issues..not Cavalier issues...ask your dealer about the loose strip...

[carolyn s]

Hello Mr. Murray,
I do apolized for having so many questions. Just the same, I am gratful of your knowledge. And Yes I brought Randy Eaton's book. Unfortunately I didn't use it to my advantage, which left me with alot of questions. The dealer never mention or even gave me the owners manual and set up manual. Never signed nothing but the loan agreement. I have big issues with the dealer, Boston Homes in Halifax, Va. When issues was being brought up to them after the time of delivery of the house, the whole relationship between buyer and seller went down hill. I had to make several phone calls after phone calls to find out what was going on. My parents were, and still are, my eyes and ears. They saw things that was questionable, and when I addressed them, it was always the same, I'll take care of it. Now I have this home, that I feel, has not mate my expectations. My parents are very abdonement about not moving in until Boston homes fulfill their obligations. I informed them of the siding. Even took pictures. The siding is not lying on the house, where it will be attached, but on the brick. Is there anything I can do regarding Boston homes for making sure this is done. They keep telling me, the house is finished, but in my mind, I know it isn't. Any suggestions will be helpful.

[rmurray]

I am not sure exactly what you mean about the siding over the brick...the brick should not touch the siding on the home..I am guessing that you are referring to the 28 foot side of the home...This siding was installed by the dealer and any problem is the dealers fault (could be the brick layers fault..but dealer contracted with him)...

Cavalier also has a video that the dealer is supposed to show you prior to you taking delivery....get a copy and watch it..it explains all warranty issues and who is responsible and how to get service....Again..a call to Cavalier for help would not hurt..

Sounds like you did home only finance...if so this means you have paid the dealer for the home..there is NO chance that they will ever take it back..you might just as well move in...If the dealer has all of his money...not moving in is only hurting you..not him...

Cavalier has a host of forms you should have signed and one to be filled out after the home is delivered detailing ALL cosmetic repairs...

One of the forms is a predelivery check list...there is an arbitration agreement...there is a post delivery check list and the cosmetic repair check list that MUST be turned in to Cavalier within 60 days of the delivery of the home...

I think a trip to the dealership and a meeting with the responsible person...owner or manager..is in order....expain your concerns..ask for specific remedies and a time table the dealer can live with...be sure you inspect the whole home and have a complete list of problems....move in...get by this stress...the items you mentioned are pretty minor and should not cause you any negative living standards...time to move forward...you have bought a home..time to begin to enjoy it..

Unfortunately..not all dealers are very good at follow up service..this is your home now...try to get them to take care of the problems...if they do not..there is not much you can do but move forward...you may have to live with a few problems..or take care of them yourself...but it is much too early to know for sure..

[jay]

You cannot legally occupy the home untill you get a certificate of occupancy from your building inspectors office.