All Forum Posts by: NA Jones

I'm from MD but here's how it works here. I always have my buyers sign an exclusivity contract when writing an offer. I would pick through the copy of your previous offer with a fine tooth comb and if you aren't sure, call the old agent (or their broker) and ask.  They have an expiration date, and outlines what you need to do to terminate. All agents fill them it differently, so you likely signed one with their typical terms. Terminating should be easy - most agents will willingly (and should!) let go of clients who don't want to work with them. You definitely don't want to work with a different buyers agent without finding out first what your obligation is to the old one. If you signed **anything** while working with the old agent, there's a good chance they included the exclusivity agreement when you signed - especially an offer. There's the very very real possibility the seller and or most likely you would be on the hook for their commission. 

I don't see what's hard to figure out about it... My immediate thought was hoarder house. Sad really. Yes, they actually balance above and poo on the pile over and over again til it's that big....

Right?

@J Scott

 That's ... both interesting and disappointing.  We were told by both the Director of Building & Zoning for the town and our GC that the contractor who pulled the permit had to close/cancel it.  Something about being the only "security" a contractor has...  we didn't understand it either but didn't have the balls to fight with the building director.  I don't know if it's the town we are in or if we were just fed a line of bullsh*t, but either way it's good to know for next time ... thank you!  

Just to land the plane on this one... :)

We had paid a 1k deposit up front.  Signed a contract on 2/24.  The line item specified a 3-piece bathroom rough in, a kitchen sink/dishwasher rough in, and a new water heater installed for $3280.  After several weeks of no call no shows, they came in and partially completed the bathroom -  didn't touch the kitchen or install the water heater. 

After a week or so of negotiation, we finally had to pay them an additional $1700 to end the contract and close the permit.   We had no choice but to pay them so we could get another guy in to finish the job or else we'd have been tied up for months in court with these schiesters.  If this were my personal residence, they wouldn't have gotten a dime but unfortunately we had to move forward and it was more cost effective to let him rob us.  We then filed a BBB complaint (whooopeee) and posted scathing one-star reviews on various sites.  Not that it helps, but I will let it be known to all of my colleagues, friends and family to stay far far away from Hometown Plumbing.

Final salt in the wound - we agreed to meet him at the permitting office with a certified check at 1 pm and he was an hour and a half late without calling.  No respect for himself or other people.

It was a very expensive lesson on our part.  There were so many red flags from the very beginning that we ignored because we had a "good feeling" about the guy.  Lesson one - THIS IS BUSINESS.  Don't rely on "good feelings".  Lesson two - don't put up with no call no shows or make excuses for lousy contractors.  We could have saved ourselves a lot of money, time and frustration had we fired him before he started any work.  Lesson three - have a tighter contract and try to get the permits in the name of the property, not the contractor, if possible.

Thanks everyone!

I don't have much to say about the shameful behavior down in the city at the moment...

I do think it's cute though that @Peter John K gives the rioters the benefit of the doubt in suggesting they're looting narcotics from a CVS.  They aren't taking narcotics - they're running out of there with bags of Doritos and snickers bars.  I'm sure there's the occasional lucky one who scores some prescription drugs or a bottle of Jack Daniels, but most of the looters are running out of the stores with boxes of tampons and slim jims.  It's not just CVS, it's many many many local businesses... corner shops, liquor stores, freaking shoe stores.

Just want to thank everyone for the input...  it has been invaluable in the decision making process!! :)

"Investor alert" here means a) cash only b) property needs rehab and/or c) multifamily / hacked house

I love how obvious it is when someone comes in with advice without reading the previous 23 pages ;)

I agree that I don't want him to complete the jobs...  so then what?  :)

Hi BP!  I'm going to search the forums for similar discussions, just looking for some advise...  

We're part way through our first flip and have had decent luck so far getting the right guys in place to do the job, except for the plumbing.  We signed a work authorization for 6k with a plumber to complete 3 tasks.  Fast forward a month and a half later, he has done about 70% of one of the three tasks and the relationship has soured.  Multiple no call no shows, won't return calls, has a million and one reasons why he can't do the things he says he's gonna do...  the last conversation with him ended with him yelling at my husband, blaming us entirely for all of his shortcomings, said he's "out of pocket from here on out because we've cost him the whole 6k" to do what he's done so far.  I understand that we are inexperienced and therefore probably difficult to work with, but all of our other contractors have handled it professionally so far.

I guess the options here are try to repair the relationship and get him to finish the job or cut him loose and find someone better.  I'm leaning towards the latter.

Here's where the inexperience shines through as well - I'm not sure what our options are regarding cutting him loose.  Are we on the line for the full 6k even though he did less than half the work authorized?  The quote was itemized - 2k for the line, 3k for the supply lines and water heater, and 1k for the finish..  he's only done 70% of the 3k item but claiming his costs have been 6k thus far (which is a load of crap.)  Should we try and negotiate with him?  Should we send him a check for what we feel we should pay him (heck I'll give him the full 3k) with a letter that says "if you cash this check you agree that this matter is settled"?  What would you do?