In early I went through Dave Israel with HomeSmart Mortgage as my Realtor to find a property, and we looked at several homes. Dave and I found a New Build that I liked. We discussed it, and agreed to return to the home later that week. I requested more than three or four times that he negotiate the price of the home. Each time I stated this, he agreed that he would negotiate, then added that he did not believe the price could be negotiated very much, if at all. I stated I wanted him to try and negotiate the price or incentives anyway, as was his duty as a Realtor. He told me the next step would be to go back to the home on Friday of that week. I received a call from Dave that Thursday stating that the home might be sold that day, and that we should rush back that day instead of the following day to ensure the home was still available (I later learned that this was not the case, as it was not the home I was interested in that was being sold). I agreed and rushed over as soon as work would permit me to leave. While I was on my way to meet Dave at the home I called Dave to let him know I was running late. He stated he was already at the site. During the phone call, I again stated that once I arrived the price of the home should be negotiated. He agreed.
When I arrived, I found Dave and the representative for the home sitting together with all the paperwork printed on the desk - unbeknownst to me with prices printed, and without negotiations being done. I am suspicious as to what was agreed upon before my arrival, since my Realtor and the K. Hovnanian Representative had over half an hour together before I arrived. When I walked in I sat down, and was immediately shown paperwork. At first it was the HOA paperwork, of which they asked me to sign that I received it. I did. A few forms later a form the paperwork showed the various upgrades on the home. I waited for negotiations, but none came. After several more forms were signed, the representative left the room, and I asked Dave when we would negotiate the price of the home. Dave stated he believed it was too late since the paperwork was already printed and signed, and asked if that was really what I wanted to do. Again, I said yes. He stated he would ask. Dave asked this is the lowest they will go on the price of the home, right? My interpretation of the way he asked this question was awful. The tone appeared to be passive, and a very quiet tone that implied he did not intend to negotiate the price. Also, he waited for an inopportune time to negotiate; namely, when the paperwork was already printed and partly signed. The representative simply said yes. Dave said nothing in response and looked at me to continue signing the paperwork. He also failed to explain the paperwork, usually stating all the paperwork was "standard, " and left before all of the paperwork was signed. I question if his failure to negotiate properly was due to him being on a time crunch.
Dave also advised me to just take whatever offer the home builder mortgage company presented first, as they are usually "comparable." However, against his advice, I am in the middle of successfully renegotiating that, as their prices were higher. Lastly, he advised that "the safest home to not obtain an inspection" for is a new build with a warranty. I took this as advice and waived the inspection, and was later informed this was a mistake. While the way he stated this seems to have covered himself, I trusted his implication and waived the inspection.
I sent Dave an email to complain about his conduct and ask what he could do to amend the situation, since he was a friend. He stated that there was nothing wrong with his way to negotiate and that this was the "tactful" way to do it rather than the "aggressive" way. I asked him about negotiating the mortgage and incentives there, and he refused this as well, stating he did not know enough about mortgages to discuss them. When I submitted a complaint to his Broker, Trudy Moore, she simply stated that someone else from her company would attend the closing if I wanted, but that there would be no financial compensation for my financial losses from lack of negotiations. Her email was two lines, very cold, and offered no support.
I am in process of re-negotiations on the home now (successfully) without the help of my so-called Realtor. And yet, he will be receiving nearly $6000 from the builder simply for walking me in to the building, failing to act in my best interest, and accusing me of lying about the situation. I do not trust the company enough to have anyone attend the meetings and have considered not closing on the home simply because Dave Israel's lack of professionalism and inability to do his job does not warrant financial compensation.
My fault was choosing the wrong Realtor, and I will never advise anyone go through Home Smart or Dave Israel for Realty needs.
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