UPDATE 11/23
I'm revising this review because we went back to Summerhill to do business, and they were happy to continue the process with us. As the process has moved along quite considerably and that we've just had our walkthrough with the QA Manager, I can report that I am a fan and am very happy to see that the builder is as detail-oriented as I am and fixed cosmetic issues before I brought them up.
Even if the initial stages of negotiation go wrong and you become discouraged, remember that nothing is personal and that two parties can rekindle a business deal and get a mutually beneficial outcome.
Stick with it.
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This is about Summerhill's sales service and process, not about the quality/non-quality of a Summerhill home; nevertheless, how you're treated as a potential client or client in the process of buying a Summerhill home is very important.
When my husband and I were in the process of buying a Summerhill home, we were basically strung along and then ignored -- a somewhat typical and disrespectful sales strategy that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. We had a verbal agreement with the sales office, then our realtor told us Summerhill changed the agreement, and subsequently, the office never bothered to tell us whether our second offer was accepted or rejected. It is really rather callous and unprofessional to just string a client along.
When we went back to the sales office to retrieve our security deposit check, the salespeople in the office at the time acted as though nothing was wrong with a week of cold-shoulder treatment on their part and then blurted out this 'good cop/bad cop' explanation that the "corporate office was being really fickle right now." I didn't buy it. Quite frankly, a common-courtesy apology would have been the professional thing to do.
Honestly, I was very disappointed that the sales team and the VP of sales (Cheryl O'Connor) were not playing the same game straight up. The sales team made number deals with us that the VP couldn't accept, and when it came time to negotiate, they all gave us the silent treatment and expected us to go to them. That's really not a professional way to treat anyone.
Summerhill Homes is owned by a larger private company called Marcus and Millichap, and as with any business deal, you expect companies of this size and public attention to play it straight -- games are for the weak. read more