Gemcraft Homes

During initial grading, proper drainage was not installed around our new home build. As a result, water leaked into basement and builder had to install window well drainage post settlement. During that installation, patio steps and patio pavers were disrupted/sank as a result of machine digging. Builder acknowledged patio would be in need of repair over a month ago.

Landscape contractor not associated with builder estimated damage at approximately $725. We had repeated calls and emails to builder for restitution request (corporate office) but received no response.

On 8/16/09, I signed a new construction home contract with a build time of 6-8 months. I was advised the permit would be applied for within 45 days of a ratified contract and the hole would be dug by the end of Oct. Gemcraft advised me in Sept and the beginning of Oct. we were on task with the timetable. On 10/16/09, they advised the house does not fit on the original lot I selected and I was advised to select a new home site. So with this in mind, we were not on track because no permit had been applied for. Then they advised me a hole would be dug possibly by the end of Nov. but certainly by Dec. They advised me towards the end of Oct. the permit had been applied for. I contacted the city of Hagerstown to verify this information and they advised me that no permit had been applied for.

I contacted my sales manager's boss, Jim **, who stated his sales manager must have misunderstood him but they were in the process of filing the permit. I requested proof by the end of Nov. that a permit had been applied for and they provided me a copy of the site plan that they submitted to engineering & still no permit. There was no hole in Nov. and in the beginning of Dec. they advised me the delay with the permit was because they could not pay their engineers to wet stamp the prints to submit to the city of Hagerstown.

On Jan. 3, they advised me that plans were back from engineering and they were in the process of being submitted to the city. I advised them by email on 11/30/09, 12/09 & 1/10 of my desire to terminate the contract since they could not honor the 6-8 month time frame they quoted me during the contract signing. I advised them that I wanted my deposit returned by 1/20/10 or I would be seeking legal counsel. Jim ** advised me that he had to speak with his boss and get back in contact with me. That was 1/13/10. At this point, I have not received an email, letter or call from Gemcraft Homes. This is a horrible company to work with and they lie too much to customers to get a deal.

I purchased a new home from Gemcraft Homes on 4/14/2003 in the state of MD, Harford County. I am a licensed real estate agent for the state of Maryland and represented myself in the transaction. At the time of contract I was working and everything looked like it was going to work out. Unfortunately, a month later I lost my job and was not qualified to purchase the home.

I informed my sales rep. Amy Scram this and told her that I was offered a position in the state of Maryland with another employer. But 3 days later the job fell thru and another position was offered in North Carolina. At that point I was unemployed in the state of Maryland with the possibility of a job in North Carolina. I then informed my sales rep about the situation and asked her to convey my dilemma to her boss. I was only going to be in North Carolina forth 8-12 months and I had hoped we could delay the start of the home to accommodate that. They denied my request, and I couldnt afford to purchase the home any more. I requested a release and a refund of deposit. I have been told that I will not get a refund of deposit. According to Maryland law (and their purchase agreement) I am entitled to a full refund of deposit. I was never approved for a loan and I did try earnestly and I never received a ratified contract, nor did my lender.

Gemcraft Homes has done nothing but lie and try to cover up their mistakes and say that I defaulted by not attending my pre-construction meeting when in fact my loan was denied before any meeting was scheduled. I have all documentation to support every claim I have made against this builder, yet the builder has nothing to support their actions.

I plan to notify the local news, the board of Realtors and file suit against them this

Monday. Any help from you is greatly appreciated would be greatly appreciated.