Ryland Homes Sales People from Ryland Homes told me whatever I wanted to hear just to sell me a home. Orlando Florida

Bob or whatever your real name is,
It appears you took it personally, so I assume you work for Ryland. Let's pick apart your very intimate response to my post.

A Retail price for a home is market driven and anything you buy is only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay. I'm not looking for sympathy. I'm simply expressing my experience with Ryland Homes. My posting is an eye opening experience to whomever wishes to do their due diligence prior to purchasing a home from Ryland Homes. If my letter helps someone make a better decision, then my post has done its duty.

When the builder approved me, they told me they would re-sell the mortgage to Countrywide. So Countrywide to the rescue works just as well with the Home Builder. Anyone who understands basic mathematics would agree that a high percentage rate from the Builder for a mortgage is not worth the $10K in incentives from Ryland. If I were to keep my home for the full 30 year mortgage, then I would end up paying $23K in extra fees. I know what you're thinking, what if I refinance or what if I sell, well I can also say, what If I decide to stay in my home and retire in the house. Too many what if's, but math doesn't change and a $10K incentive versus $23K extra in fees just doesn't work out.

You also state in your rebuttal that Countrywide is the main reason why our country is in a mortgage crisis. You may want to be careful with that statement. You better have solid facts to backup your statement.

You stated that Countywide was the reason that my closing was almost delayed. Actually that again is an incorrect statement. I've logged countless emails and calls to Ryland Homes with no response for sometimes up to 1 week. I understand employees have personal days and will allow time for this. You also have to understand that no one informed me about personal days, no one called or emailed letting me know that someone else will be helping me. I was stuck with only a few days to closing with no help.
Ryland also didn't have the numbers ready for closing which delayed the closing. Countrywide was very accommodating and both Countrywide and I saved the close. If Countrywide and I weren't on top of the process, then I would have been living in a hotel with my family until it would have been cleared.

Processes in-house as you point out don't make the process smoother. If there are no employees working, then how is the process smooth? I went cut out the middleman (Ryland Mortgage) and went straight to their supplies (Countrywide). Instead of having a Ryland person as a go between, I handled the process and made sure it came to fruition.

The 40% Sales Discount never happened. The Ryland sales rep (Jennifer) lied to me and my family about the great' offer which conveniently was left out at closing and no one could help me. Countless phone calls with transfers to other people within Ryland ended up in a wild goose chase. I was told if it wasn't on the contract, then it's not available. That I would say was me dropping the ball. I should have never assumed the advertising posters of the 40% off in front of the sales office, all the flyers inside and internet advertising would be enough proof, but guess Ryland took a Not On Contract approach and trumped me. It makes them feel good not to hold up their end of the deal which was promised by the sales rep.

By the way, the savings is not enough to cover the headaches I've had since I've moved into the house. I won't mention the flooding, the cracked countertops, the broken toilet, the dead lawn (4 weeks into moving in), broken irrigation system, improper grating, leaky garage, and countless other issues with a Ryland Built Home. I'm going to leave the warranty issues for another posting.

In closing, to help you out, the real underlying issue with the mortgage crisis and the real estate crisis are misrepresentations from both Home Builders and various nefarious Mortgage companies who are currently under the microscope of the government. I feel more comfortable buying a car from a car salesman than buying a New Home from Ryland, because with a car salesman, I already know he's going to screw me over.

Although I don't work for the company listed above, I am in the same field and it never fails to surprise me how many people will put down thousands of dollars towards something worth hundreds of thousands of dollars without taking any personal responsibility.

Juanita says that she "made an offer" on the home which in layman's terms means she probably ended up paying far less than any retail price. Closing cost incentives and other promotions are ALWAYS tied to using a builder mortgage company and title company. I have no sympathy for you if you don't take the time to read the contracts that you sign. Caveat Emptor.

When Juanita was approved through the builder's mortgage company she decided to shop around and get a better rate. Countrywide to the rescue. If you follow the news, Countrywide is one of the worst offenders of, and one of the main reasons for the mortgage crisis that our country is in today. It is completely unsurprising that they could "figure out" a way to get you that great rate that you talked about. I certainly hope that Juanita read the contract for THAT mortgage.

It is very, very likely that using Countywide was the reason that your closing was almost delayed. The reason that builders give INCENTIVES is to entice you to buy AND tie the sale to their lender and title company. The simple reason for this is that having everything in-house makes the process smoother. So going with any outside lender just complicates the process. The definition of Incentive is: Serving to induce or motivate. I don't see the word "guarantee" anywhere.

Finally, on a more personal note, I take exception to Juanita complaining about the time it takes to return calls etc. Homebuilder salespeople, just like everyone else, need to have balance in their lives like personal time and days off. If you leave a message for someone on a Monday evening and that person has Tuesday and Wednesday off (we never have weekends off), of course you won't hear from them until they return on Thursday. Yes, even if you have their personal cell phone number and leave a message. Work is work, personal time is personal time. If you can't understand that then you obviously have way to much free time at your job. On average, I will be working with a dozen or more homeowners at any given time and while everyone thinks they are the most important person in the world, please know that you are one of many. Plus if you are someone who saps my time disproportionally to my other responsibilities, you very well may have to wait longer.

So a quick recap. Next time, read your contract. Don't blame your mistakes on others. Learn to see things from the perspective of others and stop slandering good people who work for a living.

Juanita, I hope the $180 per month you saved on that "great" Countrywide rate was worth losing the $10,000 in closing costs and 40% savings on your mortgage your first year.

Bob