I recently tried to purchase a new manufactured (panelized) home in Savanna Club, Port St Lucie. The companys headquarters are in Clearwater. I made a deposit of $5000. This was HALF my pitiful life savings. The agent knew my personal financial situation in detail. She never verbally disclosed how completely non-refundable the deposit was. I have bought and sold several homes in several states including Florida. Never have I ever heard of a totally non-refundable deposit. I went to the bank, and because of my personal situation, which the agent fully knew of, I could not possibly afford this home. I let Savanna Club know: they cashed my check anyway and then I was told how totally non refundable it is. The manager at Savanna Club, Mr Raymond, made me this "fabulous offer" which boiled down to zippo: I would get back $2000 at closing for giving up the free (rebuilt) golf cart, $5000, all of which are current buying incentives. This is NO deal, yet he made it sound as if it was fantastic!!! I contacted a real estate attorney: she researched and told me - with horror - that this is technically "legal" but extremely unethical and unheard of in real estate. I wrote the President of American Land Lease, Robert Blatz, who simply called Mr Raymond and sent me a letter saying Mr Raymond was "working with me"... Blah blah... No help whatsoever. My RE agent knows of several people who have been ripped off with this group. As a geriatric RN, I not only was horrified at losing so much money, I began to realize, if I, 55 and in sound mind, got taken this easily, how many other truly elderly folks, who may not always have all their faculties or completely understand - have also been taken??? My lord, this may be millions of dollars!!! This is a 55 community, BTW. I am a little nervous because I am afraid they may retaliate in some way, because I do now have a contract on an existing home in Savanna Club, through another agent. But I feel so strongly about this I am willing to go public and have informed the company that I will. This may be technically "legal" but unethical, dishonest and to me, constitutes elder fraud and abuse. I have told them I want my money back - all $5000- or I will continue to file complaints every where I can. No response. They admitted to me their practice "has been tested in court", ie they have been sued before. If I could afford it, which I certainly cannot, a class action lawsuit should be filed. Not only did their agent not verbally disclose all the details, they used a sneaky, mind-twisting sales pitch that strongly reminded me of buying a new car. Please help!
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