We went through this on our previous house. It's not only the builder--but the county approval process and waiting for the "CO" or "Certificate of Occupancy". It was a maddening time, I remember that! The county wouldn't grant the C.O. because there wasn't a railing for the stairs. So we were delayed, and d e l a y e d, for a relatively simple problem. It would've taken the builder probably 1/2 a day to fix.

So there was the builder (not finishing up), and the county (taking its sweet time)...and all the while there were much more serious problems with the house than were ever flagged by the county inspectors.

Amazing how builders can suddenly lose interest when there's a buyer--even if there's money on the line.

Advice? Stay on the best possible terms with the builder. BUT!--Have an inspection done--builders can take shortcuts. Don't expect the local municipality inspectors to catch everything--in fact even glaring errors can slip by (bribes, perhaps?). Get the builder to finish as much as possible prior to closing date. Even holding a good sum in escrow wasn't enough to get ours to come finish.

Hopefully your builder will be different and everything will go smoothly. But I wouldn't count on it. And once you're moved in, enjoy your new home...and start settling in

Best of luck,
-k. in Colorado

It is so frustrating. There are about twenty homeowners waiting to close. I guess everyone must be calling. I think staying on good terms is hard to do at this point but will try. Since it is a large developer, I am assuming money is not an issue with them. A small builder might be more likely to finish.

Thanks,

Wow, 20 people in the same boat! We had trouble with our builder--and it was only 1 house (spec home)--and he wasn't all that likely to finish either! You're right, it would be hard to keep your composure.

I don't know; I am all out of ideas--and haven't dealt with a 'big' builder...but you certainly hear that stories like this are all too common.

Good luck on the situation....if you figure something out please let us know how it's going....

-k.

The attorney called the closing office and the person is out sick and apparently she is the only one who handles this. I called the sales office and got the runaround..be patient. I asked a simple question...is the house finished and she did not or could not find out. I do not live nearby so it is b=not easy to check. I was told that some builders do not even like you to go on the property...one person got a letter from the builder that the should not go near the property (not my development..another builder).

I thought buying a new house would be easier.