I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry about that story. But congrats (?) on your new place.
TDaniel wrote:slipped the key into the Locust street door and nothing happened.
D'Oh!
TDaniel's post provides a perfect snaphot to this ordeal. From the explanations and excuses to the hotel being completed before our building. It's nonsense.
Now, to hear that your key didn't work the night you moved in?!! I am incredulous. Please finish the story as I am on the edge of my seat. Did someone come down and make it work?
Also, are you parking yet in the garage??
As someone who is scheduled to close on May 19, I am anxious to hear more.
Now, to hear that your key didn't work the night you moved in?!! I am incredulous. Please finish the story as I am on the edge of my seat. Did someone come down and make it work?
Also, are you parking yet in the garage??
As someone who is scheduled to close on May 19, I am anxious to hear more.
- 54
Anybody find it strange that all of us have the exact same story to tell? My keys have a mind of their own and only work aprox. 86.7% of the time. The other 13.3% I'm fiddling with them and cussing the genius who decided to wait until after clsoings to install the security. To say the least, I'm ready for the whole push button thing.
How about some pics of finished units. Would love to see how they turned out.
Regarding keys not working, Roger, the construction superintendent, came to my rescue the following morning and moving did in fact occur. I am very pleased with the loft and with Roger's quick response to minor problems. A few more misunderstandings occurred but were resolved, the largest being did we buy a washer/dryer or did we not buy a washer /dryer.
This weekend the covered parking was used and the automatic door opener worked. Each time I have pressed the button on the elevator, it has responded. Each time I have put my correct key in the unit door, it has unlocked.
Other owners are nice. The construction workers are nice. The loft is great.
Ah, life is good.
This weekend the covered parking was used and the automatic door opener worked. Each time I have pressed the button on the elevator, it has responded. Each time I have put my correct key in the unit door, it has unlocked.
Other owners are nice. The construction workers are nice. The loft is great.
Ah, life is good.
- 54
It has been a very rocky road, but things seem to be rolling now. though Now, if I can just get all my things unpacked, I'll be set.
Can't wait to meet some of you once I've moved in. I close (God willing) on Friday and will be moving in shortly thereafter. Anything final pointers as I prepare to close?
See you all in the neighborhood...
See you all in the neighborhood...
- 54
You have a 60 day warranty period, in which you can let McGowan know about anything that needs to be fixed. I hope you didn't purchase a stackable washer and dryer, because they forgot to put two outlets in the closet. Yes, I'm serious. Everything other than that has been pretty good. I trust HBD and their work, it's just a matter of getting them in to do it. Now, if I could just keep myself from walking that short block and a half to the Tap Room...I'm thinking you may have heard of it.
Has anyone else encountered problems with quality of work? For example things not lining up right, gaps between wood pieces in the island, baseboards not flush with the wall, etc? How about things flat-out done wrong? Like incorrect lighting or placement, wrong countertops or cabinet color?
I was expecting top notch work in my unit, and I'm appalled at how bad it is. Especially since they are over an entire year behind schedule. You would think they're taking long because they're doing a good job on this. They are half-assing a lot of sh*t in my opinion. That infuriates me.
I hope you all are much happier with your unit. Please do yourself a favor and do a thorough walk-through, and require these things to be fixed. Do not let them get away with sub-par construction and finishing work.
I was expecting top notch work in my unit, and I'm appalled at how bad it is. Especially since they are over an entire year behind schedule. You would think they're taking long because they're doing a good job on this. They are half-assing a lot of sh*t in my opinion. That infuriates me.
I hope you all are much happier with your unit. Please do yourself a favor and do a thorough walk-through, and require these things to be fixed. Do not let them get away with sub-par construction and finishing work.
- 6,775
Engineer wrote:Has anyone else encountered problems with quality of work? For example things not lining up right, gaps between wood pieces in the island, baseboards not flush with the wall, etc? How about things flat-out done wrong? Like incorrect lighting or placement, wrong countertops or cabinet color?
I was expecting top notch work in my unit, and I'm appalled at how bad it is. Especially since they are over an entire year behind schedule. You would think they're taking long because they're doing a good job on this. They are half-assing a lot of sh*t in my opinion. That infuriates me.
I hope you all are much happier with your unit. Please do yourself a favor and do a thorough walk-through, and require these things to be fixed. Do not let them get away with sub-par construction and finishing work.
Don't close until you are happy.
Don't close until you are happy.
That's easier said than done.
It seems that a lot of builders get away with half-assing their work these days. It's a shame.
- 6,775
St.Louis UAB alumni wrote:Don't close until you are happy.
That's easier said than done.
It seems that a lot of builders get away with half-assing their work these days. It's a shame.
Maybe not. Once you close, you have no leverage. You can refuse to close, and they may threaten to sue, but that is the last thing they want to do.
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:St.Louis UAB alumni wrote:Don't close until you are happy.
That's easier said than done.
It seems that a lot of builders get away with half-assing their work these days. It's a shame.
Maybe not. Once you close, you have no leverage. You can refuse to close, and they may threaten to sue, but that is the last thing they want to do.
I'm not sure you can even refuse to close without a penalty. There may be a clause that says you get hit with a $200 a day fee for every day you don't close once the developer sets a closing date. The developer will fix all punch list items after closing.
I'm not sure you can even refuse to close without a penalty. There may be a clause that says you get hit with a $200 a day fee for every day you don't close once the developer sets a closing date. The developer will fix all punch list items after closing.
When I had problems with my condo the developer threatened to break the contract and not give me back my earnest money of $3,000. The agent claimed that there was a clause in the contract that gave the seller the option to cancel the contract if there were problems between them and the buyer.
It's also hard to discover ALL of the problems during walk throughs. Most problems are discovered as you are living in the unit, moving things in, and really getting to know your new home. For me, it was a very uncomfortable situation because I knew there were problems and they knew that I knew. Very tense situation with them peering over your shoulder.
If the developer/seller is very professional then you shouldn't have a problem but if they are not then get ready for some headaches.
Oh no- Engineer, you're scaring me. I think the quality of work in my unit looks pretty darn good. I'll have to come and see what you're talking about. With the time it's taken them, I refuse to believe it's anything but perfect.
I just closed and it was smooth sailing except with regard to the roof not being finished. Once everyone has moved in we will probably want to discuss not paying full condo fees until the roof is done. Which by the way, has anyone heard when the developers are saying it will be complete?
I just closed and it was smooth sailing except with regard to the roof not being finished. Once everyone has moved in we will probably want to discuss not paying full condo fees until the roof is done. Which by the way, has anyone heard when the developers are saying it will be complete?
- 54
My favorite part of being in a project that isn't complete.....drilling on the rooftop at 6:15 am. No need for an alarm clock.
- 1,768
Rusty's calleth to his dejected son: Come take comfort in my bossom.
And the Son did.
And so did his friends.
Taking all the comfort they could until closing...
And the Son did.
And so did his friends.
Taking all the comfort they could until closing...
Please everyone take a *very* close look at your unit, and demand the details all get taken care of. Baseboards flush & mitered, cabinets hung level, appliances are all there, check everything.
It's in your contract that the pool will be done, I suggest you contact your attorney about getting in writing the condo fees not being used to pay for a dime of it.
But it will be done eventually. I have faith in that.
I'd still get it in writing though.
It's in your contract that the pool will be done, I suggest you contact your attorney about getting in writing the condo fees not being used to pay for a dime of it.
But it will be done eventually. I have faith in that.
I'd still get it in writing though.
Everyone of you who bought at Westgate is a trooper! To still have a sense of humour at this point is inspiring. I really hope this turns out to be nothing but a bad memory and a couple of years from now you can look back and laugh at the experience!
- 9
I have been selling real estate for over 10 years in the St. Louis metropolitan area. I can tell you, from experience, that if you were my client, I suggest that you have the seller (developer) escrow funds to cover the cost of a 100% finish. Usually, your lender or title company can advise as to how much over the cost of the finish you should escrow - often 1.5 times.
All buyers should follow these procedures:
- Read your contract with a fine tooth comb. Developer isn't going to change the contract but at least you can make sure he/she is playing by the rules. Also, you know your options upon sellers default.
- Perform a thorough walk-through, per contract, prior to close and address any unsatisfactory issues BEFORE YOU CLOSE! As stated above, once you close you have very, very little leverage to cause developer to perform.
- Determine the amount per day for non-performance b/f you decide if you're going to stall closing until work is performed. This amount per dya is outlined in your contract. Pay attention to this figure b/f you sign the contract.
These guys are all doing the best they know how to do. This is a totally new "product" for St. Louis and for the guys who are building and developing these properties. I have compassion for them as I understand their business quite well. Yet, I think the experience that many of you have been forced to participate in is completely unacceptable. There should be some sort of compensation offered to you by the seller.
Good luck to all.
PS - Is there a spell check function on here so I don't have to go back to proof read? Who has time for proof reading???
All buyers should follow these procedures:
- Read your contract with a fine tooth comb. Developer isn't going to change the contract but at least you can make sure he/she is playing by the rules. Also, you know your options upon sellers default.
- Perform a thorough walk-through, per contract, prior to close and address any unsatisfactory issues BEFORE YOU CLOSE! As stated above, once you close you have very, very little leverage to cause developer to perform.
- Determine the amount per day for non-performance b/f you decide if you're going to stall closing until work is performed. This amount per dya is outlined in your contract. Pay attention to this figure b/f you sign the contract.
These guys are all doing the best they know how to do. This is a totally new "product" for St. Louis and for the guys who are building and developing these properties. I have compassion for them as I understand their business quite well. Yet, I think the experience that many of you have been forced to participate in is completely unacceptable. There should be some sort of compensation offered to you by the seller.
Good luck to all.
PS - Is there a spell check function on here so I don't have to go back to proof read? Who has time for proof reading???
I don't think there is one, but don't worry about it. I never spell check.