D.R. Horton Ripoff Contract Dispute Pulls Contracts ripoff Jacksonville Florida

first off, i wouldn't NOT go to Horton because of what is typed here. it IS, indeed, illegal for anyone, be it realtor, seller, title co, mtg co, etc., to require or limit use of specific mtg companies (as far as i know). In their paperwork, they have a notice of business affiliations, letting you know their (duh) affiliations with certain mtg and title companies. they also have a page stating their incentives: IF x and y are used, THEN $$$ is provided for closing. Both of these pages clearly state that x and y are NOT required. Plain and simple.

As far as a builder giving you something that you actually deserve: if, in your state, you would normally pay buyer's closing costs, but a builder or seller is offering to pay that for you, you ARE getting something from them, and NO, it is not something to be expected. if you don't get it when you use someone else, don't lead yourself to believe that you're being cheated. A seller, no matter who they are, will be required to pay his own seller's closing costs. THIS, and only this, can be expected.

As far as upgrades go. I've seen many model homes from many builders, and most have upgrades. In my region, Horton homes have the least amount of upgrades in their homes. And even though builders' upgrade costs might be higher than Home Depot, you're not going to pay, or at least i didnt, $4K for stainless, $4k for larger tile, $5k for crown. For what they're including in their homes in this area, and for the prices, and compared with other builders, they can't be beat.

Sure, it's true a national builder's corporate office may not be able to respond to your phone call within the hour, or even the day, but do you realize how many calls a corporate office, ANY corporate office, receives on a daily basis? You may not get such a hold-your-hand and I'll-customize-this-if-you-want attitude that you get from a custom builder, but that's why custom builders cost so much more! Picture a national builder as a "home retail store". Basically, you're buying a built home. the only difference, and i would call them benefits, is that you get to choose, in most instances, your own personal interior designs and you're not digging someone else's dirty toenails out of your carpet because it is a NEW home! Also, as the buyer you're protected from builder mishaps. You're not taking out a new construction loan, one which you would start re-paying from day one. you're borrowing from the day the home closes. any extra expenses in the construction process (broken windows, re-inspections, extra labor/material costs, etc.) are all on the side of the builder, not you. your price doesnt change; theres a lot to be said about that!

Finally, qualify these complaints. Do your own research on the big complaints that you're considering. Does the builder really force you to use certain lenders, or is this just an upset buyer? would it really cost $50k for that lake lot you want? why trust a disgruntled opinion without checking with the agent/salesperson. You're most likely spending a lot of money on your home, why not use some logic and do some research for yourself.

As mentioned in an earlier post, the Real Estate business is currently blooming. The Horton Home builders of the world tell potential buyers what they think they want to hear -- make potential buyers think that they are giving them a bargain by paying most of the closing cost, and offering other discounts which are already included in the base/original price; it is a way for buyers to by-pass other financial institutions. (It's all part of the marketing strategy, which I understand.)

Unfortunately, what a potential buyer is being told does not bear much weight; it is what is written on those documents that counts. Many folks are longing to get a home and when they the opportunity arises, they get so excited that they forget to read the information before they sign on the line that could come back to haunt them. Depending on the builder's discretion, buyers could loose more than they ever imagine.

This site and these posts are truly an eye opening. Tactics such as Dr Horton could make it tough for some builders who have good intentions and are willing to meet their clients half way. I hope that cases such as this one would be investigated by the Attorney General's office; however, it usually doesn't happen unless the person(s) who believe that they are treated unfairly take the time to make a report, and let the authorities determined if it is warranted for investigation.

Developers and builders like Horton, Lennar, Centex and US Homes that build nationally tend to have differing levels of service and customer care in different markets. Some regions are very good and some are very bad on this issue.
Since Florida is enjoying a real boom in real estate values and sales, they know they'll be somebody in their door in 20 minutes who will buy the property you wanted to buy.


Generally, these builders will offer some upgrades or closing cost assistance only if you use their preferred lender and title company. And generally in this state, you, the buyer, pay some of the closing costs that normally are paid by the seller, so they really aren't giving you anything. Plus, you walk in unrepresented. The agent on site works for the builder, the paperwork and cpntracts are prepared by the builder's attorney and the occupancy date is never firm and generally at least a month later than promised.
They show you a model with wonderful interior designs and fixtures, then you find out everything is an upgrade. Want stainless appliances? That's $4000 more. Want 20 inch ceramic tile floors? That's $4000 more. Want crown molding? That's $5000 more. Etc. Etc. Want to be on the lake they had to dig for water retention? That's $50000 more.
But the end all is - You can use any lender and title company you wish to use. And if Horton has an business arrangement with one of these companies, they MUST disclose that to you in writing.
And as far as publicity about this, as Stick would say, after car dealers, builders are the next biggest local advertisers in newspapers and on radio & TV. They are not going to bite the hand that feeds them

If I recall correctly, contractors working in the state of Florida must be licensed. Have you contacted the licensing board and advised them of this situation? If not, I suggest you do so now. No contractor has the right to make you use "their" mortgage company. You might also wish to contact the state AG and tell them what happened and ask them to investigate.

I was going to purchase a house but from reading your story and others on here I will not be buying one from dr horton. It is sad because other big builders are off the list already because of this site and other complaints I have heard. I wonder if any builder is worth the investment. Thanks for the info.

Don't worry we have moved on! I know they didn't hold a "gun" to my head. But I also think consumers should have the right to pick who they want as a mortgage lender. I think it is a blessing that they canceled our contract!!!! I also think it is very alarming that They have 64 BBB complaints about them.

I also think it is alarming when you hear from the people in the sales centers themseleves, that consumers are drop in fear that they will not rate D.R. Horton with 6's on constumer surveys.

Again...you have the right to your opinion as I do mine! I will be doing everything in my power to inform the public about the horrible customer service my husband and myself received from this company.

On a industry that strives on customer statisfaction this consumer has a LOUD voice with a strike of a keyboard, a swipe of a pen and pencil and we tend to use it all!

Forgot to add it is now 4/28/05 and we still have not received our deposit money back from D.R. Horton.

I don't blame them for not wanting to do business with you. Nobody was holding a gun to your head when you sign the contracts. And yes, something about your story DOESN'T add up. I suspect you were very rude to Patty and your threat to call the media is very odd given the minor nature of your complaint. A business wouldn't normally cancel what was essentially a completed sale of a big ticket item.

After the corporate headquarters said no thanks, you tried to do an end run to complete the transaction. You need to let this go and move on.