Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

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House Not Built Yet

  We purchased our new home 8/07, but it's not built yet. Prices of the same model of spec went down $135000 since we signed. Can I ask for discount or options to offset? What if my house will not appraise for what I'm paying?
 
  First "Can I ask...?"  You can always ask.  There's no way I can judge whether the builder, who is obviously under a lot of financial pressure, will agree to alter your contract.  You may just be stuck.
And what if you can't get the loan you need because the house will no longer appraise at the price you were paying?  The answer to that is in the wording of your contract.
It may be time to take that document to a real estate lawyer to find out if you're just stuck, or if you have some leverage in negotiating.
    Edith
Originally published on April 20, 2008
 
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