I have learned that in current times the best way to make potential victims aware of, not very ethical practices, is through social media.
On August 1st, I had the pleasure to visit the (LENAR) Tavola West development located in New Caney, Tx, in search of a home to purchase. Prior to today's visit I went to the HAR.com web site as well as Redfin and did some research. While browsing I came across two homes for sale at 150,000. 00 and a second one at 155,000.00, Cofa model homes by Lenard. My realtor called them and set up a meeting to view both houses and sent them the pre-approval letter I already had two days before the visit. On arrival to the meeting, I was made aware that the posted prize online is cash prize only, that if I wanted to refinance the prize was 20,000 dollars more. When I asked the salesperson why they do that to people, luring them in and wasted their time, like in my case. She stated that the manager of that area does that, "and he is the only manager who does that" (posts the cash prize online instead of both), with visible shame on her face (which suggested me that she is not in agreement with the practice and my respect to her, because is not right). I told her that luring people to come to meetings not knowing the prize difference is not so ethical and someone could get upset, to what she responded that "it has happened before". She said he does that because there is a lot of investors buying houses there to later rent them out of different tenants.
I have heard good things and bad things about Lenar but never interacted directly with them, until today. This practice makes me feel uncomfortable since I feel I can't even trust the group trying to sell the houses, unless you are an investor and willing to pay cash for it. My impression, this manager is investor oriented and doesn't care for the regular future clients, those who can't afford to pay cash but work every day hard to be able to own a home. If I am going to commit to pay for several years for a home, I don't think Lenard is no longer a trustworthy option for me.
My intention is to make people who can't afford to pay cash for a residence, that the price posted online on these houses is more oriented towards investors rather than costumers looking to finance. I sent a couple of emails to different organizations including the press, so people are not surprised and are made aware in case they are looking to purchase a house in this community. read more
