New Western - Stay Away

New Western - Stay Away

Member since 2022 · 1 post · 2 votes

Wholesaler lied to me about several items about a condo in Lithonia, GA:

1) ARV: She gave an ARV of $125k based on a comp that sold two weeks prior. That building was the only new building in the complex, every other building is dilapidated. The property I bought was already slightly renovated, so it really seemed like a steal.

2) New HOA: She said the HOA was new and active. They had the same HOA for six years and they do nothing. At $220/mo, they're just lining their pockets.

3) Rents: She said I could rent for $1000-1200. However, two hours before closing the HOA called and said it had to be owner-occupied.

4) Active listings: I brought up a few rehabbed properties in the same complex that had 30-70 days on market already. She said those didn't count, and just to focus on the $125k comp.

5) Closing: After learning about the rental situation, I wanted to terminate. The wholesaler said the seller had already signed and would sue NW then me if I didn't close. When I asked what the limit of my damages were, the wholesaler wouldn't respond.

PP: 65k
EMD: 5k
CC: 15k
ARV: ???

I'm not sure what will happen, but my optimism has defnintely been tested. I knew something wasn't right in my gut, should have gone with that. I'm going to do a little rehab and relist it asap.

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Real Estate Agent · Atlanta · Member since 2020 · 18 posts · 5 votes
4y

You have to be careful with working with wholesalers in Atlanta, especially if you don't have an agent. They owe you no loyalty so just like any other business venture, its your job to get someone to look at it. If you are still in due diligence you can back out. You should definitely reread whatever contract you sign. If you don't want to buy the house then you can just usually give up your earnest money. 

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  • Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Thomas Shiver, Georgia is a BUYER BEWARE state. You are responsible for performing your due diligence. The wholesaler is not representing you as a client, therefore, they held no fiduciary duty toward you whatsoever. I'm not a lawyer, and I would advise you to speak with one, but from what I've heard, you're at risk of losing your 5k EM if you decide to terminate. I'm a bit confused, did you end up closing on the condo? 

  • Real Estate Agent · Atlanta · Member since 2020 · 18 posts · 5 votes
    4y

    You have to be careful with working with wholesalers in Atlanta, especially if you don't have an agent. They owe you no loyalty so just like any other business venture, its your job to get someone to look at it. If you are still in due diligence you can back out. You should definitely reread whatever contract you sign. If you don't want to buy the house then you can just usually give up your earnest money. 

  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
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    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    4y

    @Thomas Shiver

    Did you close on the deal??

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  • Investor · Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 19 posts · 29 votes
    4y

    Hey Thomas, In a situation like this the way such wholesalers structure their contracts there's not much you can do for the misrepresentation that the wholesaler stated to you. Sometimes is easier to lose the 5k EMD than deal with the headache of the situation. Based on what you are telling me it seems like 1 this was your first deal with them, and 2. you will probably not go back to them to purchase another deal. I work with a wholesale brokerage that operates extremely similar and my 2 cents is that no matter what company- it comes down to the individual person that you are working with and their moral compass. Safe to say that they seemed to have spoiled the relationship and won't be earning your long term business?

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4y

    Most institutional wholesalers are cycling through salespeople pretty quickly. They don't know much about the property other than what's given to them by the acquisition agent, if anything. 

    Bottom line is they are on 100% commission in a fast paced, high pressure boiler room sales environment, are trying to get their start in real estate, and their moral compass gets tested when it comes to being 100% truthful or paying rent. 

    #1, #2, and #4 are pretty typical of that environment, but as the buyer, you are responsible for verifying. Chalk it up to a tough lesson learned. 

    #3 and #5 are pretty bad though, even for them.

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    INVESTORS!!! Always do your due diligence, no matter what a wholesaler tells you. Half of new western has never bought real estate themselves and often don't know how the process actually works from start to finish of a rehab. They live in a wonderland of just moving deals, never go off of what they tell you 

  • Member since 2022 · 23 posts · 17 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Kalim Kalla:

    Hey Thomas, In a situation like this the way such wholesalers structure their contracts there's not much you can do for the misrepresentation that the wholesaler stated to you. Sometimes is easier to lose the 5k EMD than deal with the headache of the situation. Based on what you are telling me it seems like 1 this was your first deal with them, and 2. you will probably not go back to them to purchase another deal. I work with a wholesale brokerage that operates extremely similar and my 2 cents is that no matter what company- it comes down to the individual person that you are working with and their moral compass. Safe to say that they seemed to have spoiled the relationship and won't be earning your long term business?


     I totally agree with this.  It comes down to the individual not the company itself.  Don't let this shy away from any other wholesale companies out there.  Make sure the individual isn't just trying to sell you a house but actually want you to succeed. Ask the questions do your research.  

  • New to Real Estate · Sandy Springs, GA · Member since 2022 · 4 posts · 5 votes
    4y

    In most cases from my research, wholesalers are simply middlemen repeating information that sellers give them, thus receiving the stamp of an unreliable source. In wholesale transactions regarding short sales, foreclosures, and assets being sold as is, the seller is desperate so they may not be forthcoming to the wholesaler or direct buyer. The wholesaler has not taken ownership of the asset themselves I presume, so I do not believe they can give you an accurate account of details such as. I have not begun investing in RE myself quite yet, so I may be throwing stones at a glass house, but from all of my research in a buyer beware state like Georgia you are expected to do your own due diligence. Forgive me, but it seems as if you did not hold up your end of the bargain and have resorted in placing the blame elsewhere. Investing is not for everyone. There is always risk. Good luck.

  • Developer · Decatur, GA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Thomas Shiver You've learned a valuable lesson.  

    I hope the resale goes well. You might learn/try selling with owner financing to sidestep the HOA rental issue. You would place the new owner in the house and start making money just as you planned. Just make sure you have a big enough down payment to cover foreclosure ($5k) if need be.

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