Levitt and Sons Marketing Problems - Brokerblogger

6/21/09 UPDATE:  Seasons Clubhouse had a grand opening on 6/20/09.  To see it, here is a map.

This photo is of the back corner of Lot #201 at Levitt and Sons "Seasons" development at Prince Creek West in Murrells Inlet, SC.  It was the only lot that my wife and I were interested in of all the lots that we walked on in late March, 2007.  We were told that a Mrs. Volk had put a total deposit of approximately $40,000 down on that lot and future house back in early 2006, but now she had hired an attorney to get all of that deposit back, and the lot could be ours, as it was "just a formality" as to when it would be "officially" available for us to buy.  We were later told that Mrs. Volk, and her attorney, had reached a compromise agreement as to how much of her deposit would be kept by Levitt and Sons for defaulting on her agreement to purchase.  So, based on that knowledge my wife and I gave $5000 for a deposit receipt on Lot #201 (which had NO CONTINGENCY in Levitt's favor written on it), came back to Texas, and contracted to have our kitchen remodeled for about $15,000 in order to prepare our house for sale. 

But, within 5 days of getting a "reassurance" e-mail from Mr. Bob Daurity (head of that sales region) saying:  "The lot has still not been released back to Levitt, but that paperwork should be here next week.", we were called by his sales agent telling us that Mrs. Volk had changed her mind, and we could not buy Lot #201.

Levitt and Sons was marketing this development online with mentions in articles like this that said:  "Levitt and Sons announces "March Mayhem," a grand opening event 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24, to introduce their new active adult community, Seasons, at Prince Creek West."  They were offering the following incentives to buy:  1. $10,000 in free designer options, 2. $1,500 in reimbursed travel expenses, 3. $2,500 in closing costs (if you used their lender), and 4. $500 in reimbursed travel expenses in a "Your Exclusive Invitation" hand out that said:  "And even if you decide not to purchase a home, we'll still reimburse $500 of your travel expenses if you discuss ownership opportunities with a qualified sales associate."

This post will not go into detail about our resulting complaint, suggestion for a concession on an alternative lot for my wife and I to buy, and how the entire real property negotiations were handled by Levitt and us.  But, it will tell you how we feel about the entire incident now, and give you some background new home builder "marketing timing" regarding the current "buyer's market" for new homes.  (Click on "Continue reading..." below, and also see my update post at "Can Levitt and Sons Builder's Word Be Trusted?").  Now see:  Levitt's "Seasons at Prince Creek West" Still Has No Clubhouse.