Coldwell Banker Homestead Group Select Professionals

August 28, Dear [redacted] ,In response to this complaint per the attached copy of the home inspection letter from [redacted] Home Inspections dated 7/12/addressed to [redacted] , the inspector states the age of the system (1996) and “I would hope with two HVAC companies ( [redacted] and ***) inspecting the equipment and both stating that the systems are functioning as intended that would give you some piece of mindI wish that I could help youUnfortunately it is not my company policy to replace or repair systems that are in working order,”Point #attached is a letter from [redacted] of [redacted] Heating and Cooling, [redacted] states that “the units were in working order and the heat pump and air handler did not need to be replaced due to mechanicals failure“ Based on the information provided from [redacted] Home Inspection and [redacted] Heating and Cooling, all units were in working order and did not need to be replaced.Regards,David S Regional General Manager

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC Date: Tue, Oct 14, at 9:AM Subject: Fwd: Complaint # [redacted] To: [redacted] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: [redacted] [redacted] Date: Fri, Oct 10, at 11:AM Subject: re: Complaint # [redacted] To: [email protected] am writing to confirm that this complaint has been resolved Thank you for your help and for "being there" for consumers It's appreciated!

August 28, Dear ***,In response to this complaint per the attached copy of the home inspection letter from *** Home Inspections dated 7/12/addressed to *** ***, the inspector states the age of the system (1996) and “I would hope with two HVAC companies (*** and ***) inspecting the equipment and both stating that the systems are functioning as intended that would give you some piece of mindI wish that I could help youUnfortunately it is not my company policy to replace or repair systems that are in working order,”Point #attached is a letter from J*** *** of *** Heating and Cooling, *** states that “the units were in working order and the heat pump and air handler did not need to be replaced due to mechanicals failure“ Based on the information provided from *** Home Inspection and *** Heating and Cooling, all units were in working order and did not need to be replaced.Regards,
David S
Area Regional General Manager
Lori W
Director of Sales

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:  I realize the items in question were, AT THE TIME, in working order.  That is not the issue ... the issue is that both HVAC contractors provided information to me that was NOT disclosed at inspection and those issues were:  1) INTERIOR WALL DESTRUCTION SHOULD THE WATER HEATER NEED REPLACED/REPAIRED  2) R22 Coolant running the system has been banned by the EPA and will not be available for future use after 2015 unless at an extremely high cost, (HVAC contractors quoted triple the cost of current pricing in 2015), and 3) the heat pump was disclosed as 2003/04 but the furnace that was in place was from 1995!  That aged furnace was NOT disclosed and I was led to believe that the 2003/04 heat pump would "be serviceable for up to 20 years."  I don't see that as being relevant to a furnace that was nearly 20 years old & a banned R22 coolant! Very misleading and a poor assessment!
Had I known all of those very important facts, I would never have purchased this home OR at the least would have offered less money in order to finance replacement of equipment that was substandard.  These important issues were detrimental to a sound home, an accurate & thorough inspection. and a realtor who should have been looking out for my best interest!  HVAC systems are "key" to a good home purchase and I did NOT get that.  It was skimmed over as "working condition" which is weak and inadequate! 
A ceiling fan could be "working" when a buyer purchases a home, but if the wiring was faulty or aged, the house could burn down!  Just because something is "working" does not mean that it is sufficient to a solid home purchase!  Further, the seller did not disclose one thing about the age of any of the equipment ... instead he noted "unknown" to every detail and that was never investigated or talked about either by my realtor or the inspector. 
My realtor learned from 2 HVAC contractors that the heating & cooling system and water heater/wall issue were potential big problems to the home.  When this was confirmed by the 2nd contractor in his presence, he patronizingly "promised' financial help to me ... "don't worry about this; I'll help you and put money toward this for you!"  However after that hour-long 2nd assessment, he walked away and never looked back, ignored my communications and I've been stuck with a huge financial hit.  Despicable!
Regards,
[redacted]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 9:55 AM
Subject: Fwd: Complaint #[redacted]
To: [redacted]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted]
Date: Fri, Oct 10, 2014 at 11:20 AM
Subject: re: Complaint #[redacted]
To: [email protected] am writing to confirm that this complaint has been resolved.  Thank you for your help and for "being there" for consumers.  It's appreciated!

August 28, 2014
Dear [redacted],In response to this complaint per the attached copy of the home inspection letter from [redacted] Home Inspections dated 7/12/2014 addressed to [redacted], the inspector states the age of the system (1996) and “I would hope with two HVAC companies ([redacted] and...

[redacted]) inspecting the equipment and both stating that the systems are functioning as intended that would give you some piece of mind. I wish that I could help you. Unfortunately it is not my company policy to replace or repair systems that are in working order,”Point #2 attached is a letter from [redacted] of [redacted] Heating and Cooling, [redacted] states that “the units were in working order and the heat pump and air handler did not need to be replaced due to mechanicals failure. “ Based on the information provided from [redacted] Home Inspection and [redacted] Heating and Cooling, all units were in working order and did not need to be replaced.Regards,David S
Regional General Manager

Review: I sold my single family home, & purchased a townhome, both through Coldwell Banker. My newly purchased townhome was written with an 'inspection contingency' on the offer and final signed contract. The home, when inspected, indicated: The heat pump was a 2003/04 model, "in working order with a life span up to 20 years." The water heater was original, from 1995, "in working order." The relay switch for the furnace was not working. The furnace filter was filthy, indicating lack of service in quite some time. I wanted an independent contractor to confirm the inspector's findings & review the system. That was IGNORED! I did obtain service from my own contractor after one week of moving to clean and service the heat pump/furnace/air conditioner, resulting in ... The heat pump was operating from a 1995 furnace The coolant for the A/C is R22 - banned by EPA regulations ** (and no longer produced or available except at exorbitant cost for stock-piled quantities) The water heater is seated in a corner behind the furnace. If needing repair or replacement, it could not be removed or repaired w/o tearing down an entire interior family room wall. 2 HAVC contractors confirmed a aged substandard system, which was not as presented at inspection & sale of the home! Had I been made aware of these issues, I would never have offered what I paid for the home or would NOT HAVE PURCHASED the home at all! Replacing this system, including the water heater, is over $4700 which I was never expecting or prepared for. I did NOT buy a foreclosure, a short sale or a home listed "AS IS!" I relied on an honest real estate transaction and I have been failed miserably! I feel that Coldwell Banker & the inspector did not present this property honestly!Desired Settlement: I was assured financial help by my agent as he was present when HVAC contractor #2 verified the analysis of the system & he was made aware of the condition of the potential issues. The realtor has not been in contact with me from confirmation of the described issues/situation & ignored my emails/calls. Coldwell Banker's regional manager declined responsibility! I want financial assistance for my expenses amounting to $4700.

Business

Response:

August 28, 2014Dear [redacted],In response to this complaint per the attached copy of the home inspection letter from [redacted] Home Inspections dated 7/12/2014 addressed to [redacted], the inspector states the age of the system (1996) and “I would hope with two HVAC companies ([redacted] and [redacted]) inspecting the equipment and both stating that the systems are functioning as intended that would give you some piece of mind. I wish that I could help you. Unfortunately it is not my company policy to replace or repair systems that are in working order,”Point #2 attached is a letter from [redacted] of [redacted] Heating and Cooling, [redacted] states that “the units were in working order and the heat pump and air handler did not need to be replaced due to mechanicals failure. “ Based on the information provided from [redacted] Home Inspection and [redacted] Heating and Cooling, all units were in working order and did not need to be replaced.Regards,David SRegional General Manager

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: I realize the items in question were, AT THE TIME, in working order. That is not the issue ... the issue is that both HVAC contractors provided information to me that was NOT disclosed at inspection and those issues were: 1) INTERIOR WALL DESTRUCTION SHOULD THE WATER HEATER NEED REPLACED/REPAIRED 2) R22 Coolant running the system has been banned by the EPA and will not be available for future use after 2015 unless at an extremely high cost, (HVAC contractors quoted triple the cost of current pricing in 2015), and 3) the heat pump was disclosed as 2003/04 but the furnace that was in place was from 1995! That aged furnace was NOT disclosed and I was led to believe that the 2003/04 heat pump would "be serviceable for up to 20 years." I don't see that as being relevant to a furnace that was nearly 20 years old & a banned R22 coolant! Very misleading and a poor assessment!Had I known all of those very important facts, I would never have purchased this home OR at the least would have offered less money in order to finance replacement of equipment that was substandard. These important issues were detrimental to a sound home, an accurate & thorough inspection. and a realtor who should have been looking out for my best interest! HVAC systems are "key" to a good home purchase and I did NOT get that. It was skimmed over as "working condition" which is weak and inadequate! A ceiling fan could be "working" when a buyer purchases a home, but if the wiring was faulty or aged, the house could burn down! Just because something is "working" does not mean that it is sufficient to a solid home purchase! Further, the seller did not disclose one thing about the age of any of the equipment ... instead he noted "unknown" to every detail and that was never investigated or talked about either by my realtor or the inspector. My realtor learned from 2 HVAC contractors that the heating & cooling system and water heater/wall issue were potential big problems to the home. When this was confirmed by the 2nd contractor in his presence, he patronizingly "promised' financial help to me ... "don't worry about this; I'll help you and put money toward this for you!" However after that hour-long 2nd assessment, he walked away and never looked back, ignored my communications and I've been stuck with a huge financial hit. Despicable!

Regards,

Business

Response:

August 28, 2014Dear [redacted],In response to this complaint per the attached copy of the home inspection letter from [redacted] Home Inspections dated 7/12/2014 addressed to [redacted], the inspector states the age of the system (1996) and “I would hope with two HVAC companies ([redacted] and [redacted]) inspecting the equipment and both stating that the systems are functioning as intended that would give you some piece of mind. I wish that I could help you. Unfortunately it is not my company policy to replace or repair systems that are in working order,”Point #2 attached is a letter from J[redacted] of [redacted] Heating and Cooling, [redacted] states that “the units were in working order and the heat pump and air handler did not need to be replaced due to mechanicals failure. “ Based on the information provided from [redacted] Home Inspection and [redacted] Heating and Cooling, all units were in working order and did not need to be replaced.Regards,David SArea Regional General ManagerLori W Director of Sales

Consumer

Response:

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC <[email protected]>

Date: Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 9:55 AM

Subject: Fwd: Complaint #[redacted]

To: [redacted]

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: [redacted]

Date: Fri, Oct 10, 2014 at 11:20 AM

Subject: re: Complaint #[redacted]

To: [email protected]

I am writing to confirm that this complaint has been resolved. Thank you for your help and for "being there" for consumers. It's appreciated!

An agent with this company withheld information with the owners about the house we bought costing us 10,000 dollars. When informed they basically said tough luck and deal with it. We tried to sue but had no luck finding a lawyer to take the case due to the amount being sued (greed). The lawyers stated we had a solid case but that the legal fees would end up costing us more. We recently just found another huge issue that the owners knew about that cost us even more money and I'm pretty sure coldwell knew. This experience has definitely taught us a lesson in trust. This is a deceitful company and would not recommend doing any kind of business with them.