PRUDENTIAL CARRUTHERS REALTORS

From beginning to end the process was littered with misinformation, non-responsiveness and complete lack of professionalism. We made an offer on the home on 29 Jun with a requested close date of 5 Aug and didn't get it back until 11 Jul. We were given a "verbal" agreement that they were signing the offer but that wasn't enough to move forward with the process. When we finally got the papers they had been signed on 1 Jul but the delivery delay caused us to slip our close date a week to 11 Aug. Based on the "verbal" we went ahead and knocked out the home inspection and of course there were some items that needed to be fixed. Because we did the inspection prior to receiving the signed contract we were able to give Mr. Frank of Prudential Carruthers Realtors the home inspection addendum immediately. We were now waiting for the signed addendums to move the close date to 11 Aug and for the home inspection. Nearly a week went by when I my realtor and I returned to the home to measure the appliances (so we could upgrade after close). During that visit we realized that what was a small mold spot on ceiling in the basement had grown substantially. Since they hadn't accepted the home inspection addendum we were able to add it. Now it's about 17-18 Jul and we also haven't received the addendum to move the close to 11 Aug. Over the course of the next two weeks my realtor attempted to make contact with Mr. Frank time and time again. Phone messages and e-mails when unanswered; when answered they were cryptic at best. We were given the occasional vague e-mail from Mr. Frank via our realtor suggesting we would receive the signed addendums any day but the weeks kept ticking by. We had grown very frustrated and considered walking away from the house. I spoke to someone at my bank to discuss my concerns about not receiving the signed addendums and that close might slip again. They suggested that sometimes if the bank’s loan processors call the selling agents they can get better results… so I thought why not. My loan officer called me back an hour later and said (copy/paste from her e-mail) “I wanted to let you know that I got a hold of Mr. Frank. He is a very rude man. I was advising him that I was the processor for you and that I was calling to check status on the inspection repairs and the amendment to change the loan amount and closing date. He asked what business I had calling him, I advised that I was looking out for the best interest of my member since closing was approaching. He then advised me that [buyer’s realtor] needs to call him, not me. I advised that [buyer’s realtor] has tried to contact him. He starting cussing and told me that this conversation was over… I have NEVER talked to a selling agent that was so rude.” I was appalled but not surprised!!! We wanted to walk away from the house because of everything that had happened with Mr. Frank and Prudential Carruthers Realtors but simply couldn’t find another house that fit our needs as well as this one. After the phone call nothing changed. We continued to ping Mr. Frank for updates and continued to get vague responses with just enough information to keep us optimistic. He led us to believe repairs were being done and we’d have signed addendums any day. Well… 9 Aug (yes, two days prior to scheduled close) we got a message through our realtor that there is no way they’re going to be able to make necessary repairs in time for close… not only that, they asked for another 2 week slip to finish the repairs. We tried to push back, but were really backed into a corner. During the next two weeks we got the signed addendums and work was finally being done in the house. We were only missing one item that has been missing from day one… a homeowner’s association package. This is basically a big rulebook/history from the HOA and a document certifying there are no outstanding fines/dues pending against the house. Mr. Frank promised to drop it off the week prior… we didn’t get it. When my realtor checked on it Mr. Franks said it was dropped off, but it wasn’t there. Finally, the day before close (day of the final walkthrough) the HOA stuff magically appeared. Someone dropped it off explaining that it had been dropped off at the wrong house earlier in the week (suspect). Upon inspection of the paper work we realized that this was not a current certification of outstanding fines/dues. This was several months old and from when Prudential Relocations had taken over the house. We weren’t surprised to see Mr. Frank and Prudential Carruthers Realtors fail to deliver again. Everything went well with the walk through with one small hick-up. All the repairs were done but the documentation is supposed to be supplied showing what work was done. Well, the biggest repair done was the abatement of that moisture that caused the mold spot. We needed to see the details of what caused the moisture damage and what was done to fix it… the documentation provided by Mr. Frank simply said “repaired complete per estimate”. We asked for the estimate so we can see what work was done and/or something from the repair company detailing the work that was completed but after several attempts by my realtor Mr. Frank did not deliver and we decided to stop letting him raise our blood pressure. Coincidentally I was speaking with a coworker who was buying a home and having exactly the same problems I did… I jokingly said “You’re not working with Mr. Frank from Prudential are you?”… she was. We shared stories and realized that she was experiencing all the same problems I had. This clearly indicated to me that the conduct of Mr. Frank and Prudential Carruthers Realtors was not an isolated incident. It is worth noting that, in both cases, these home were held by Prudential Relocation so it’s not your typical buyer/seller arrangement but that does not excuse Mr. Frank’s behavior and lack of professionalism. If working with Prudential Relocation does somehow create the above described situations I would recommend Prudential Carruthers Realtors think twice before taking on these homes as the selling agent because it’s reflecting very poorly on your agency. If I saw another home beign sold by Mr. Frank or Prudential Carruthers Realtors I'd keep driving!!!

Overall, it went really well. She was extremely helpful and continuous to help us. She still assists us even after two years, just a really great agent!