Cyrus Dugger

Comment: Arbitrating Away The American Dream (Vol. 2) – “The Stupid People”

Here’s a a post elevated from the comments section of Arbitrating Away The American Dream (Vol. 2) – “The Stupid People”.

I guess I am just plain stupid. I purchased a brand new house now only 6 months old. It started falling apart in July, 28 days after I moved in. I have been fighting with the builder to get them to find out the problem and to fix it. All they wanted to do was to band-aid a couple of things. Their stonewalling has only caused the damage to increase, get worse and become insurmountable. It has been physically, mentally and monetarily stressful. I can’t litigate because I have a ‘binding arbitration’ clause. If I go to arbitration, using a company that is chosen by the builder (as stated in the contract) my chances of winning are slim to none. In addition to losing, I will be forced to pay their atty fees also and the house will continue to slide off the foundation.

I have also been a victim of predatory lending and mortgage ‘irregularities’. These came to light when I was and am still pursuing the builder to buy back this piece of junk. So call me stupid. These issues are now in the hands of federal agencies being investigated.

It never went through my mind one time that I was being taken advanatage of, being scammed, cheated and defrauded by the builder and the mortgage company (who BTW is all one happy family) I do realize this was not personal, they do it to everyone. So call me stupid.

Actually I am a very intelligent woman. I did my homework, asked questions, took a long time to decide to buy with this builder and still came out on the wrong side of the deal.

There needs to be a lemon law for houses to protect ME from builders who have run rampant and know the building lobbyists in D.C. will protect their illegal and immoral activities. There needs to be some consumer rights laws. In my state, there are none for the consumer, but all kinds of laws to protect the builder from people like me. So why should the builder be afraid? Why should he care if the house he sells someone is not safe? Why should he care if it ever gets repaired? He doesn’t. The great American dream. yeah right. maybe for the builder, but not for me.

My analogy of home builders like this is Hansel and Gretel. They pursuade you with honey, sweetness, and freshly baked cookies and soft drinks. They are so nice to you replying to your emails, telephone calls and visits. However once you close, baby you are on your own. Welcome to the hot oven.

After this is all over because I know this builder will buy back this house that is falling down around me - I will become an advocate for laws that protect people from builders like this.

Want to talk? I am more than willing.

- Susan

Posted at 6:55 PM, Jan 17, 2007 in Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)