prudential relo woes

[tootsie]

While I suspect that I am in the vanguard here, I'm just wondering if anyone else has had problems with the prudential relo people with regard to selling/buying a home? My so-called "counselor" will not return my phone calls or e-mails, and tells me things are getting done, (testing they require) which turn out to be false. If I ask a question, when she returns my call or e-mail, several days later, she reads to me from the booklet we were sent.

I went to the "customer service" rep, but later found out that she works in the same office as the counselor. My real estate agent is also trying her best to get through (she's prudential too) but we are having no luck. It's gotten to the point where I would say misrepresentation has occurred.

I guess my next step is to try to get SSA involved? If anyone has gone here before, I'd sure appreciate advice. I'd hate to lose the sale we have pending (at full price) due to their recalcitrance and game-playing.

To those about to embark on this venture, be forewarned! It's not hell, but pretty damn close!

[moonstruck]

I had big trouble with them, cost me thousands. There is a lawsuit and I can let you know the name of the gentleman suing, I believe they may even have others joined. IN my case and his, Prudential stuck us with a false structural engineer's report which wound up costing me a sale. They failed to cash me out at the time I had a bonafide buyer, and rendered an offer below that which the buyer contracted for. In the end, they got stuck right back because the house sold for less to a flipper due to the bogus report, despite the fact that the so-called defect passed a total of 4 other inspections. Complaints to SSA are heard. Prudential got the contract after too many complaints were launched against the last contractor. Let me know if you want my private email.

[govtattorney]

is prudential the nationwide rep for ssa? can we choose another? can we choose the rep? who is your rep? if the contract states they have to accept the higher, bona-fide offer, on what basis did they reject same? do they hire their own inspector or does the seller?

[tootsie]

Govt atty
You are not required to use Prudential, but they provide direct billing of costs to SSA and they actually "step in" and front your home equity prior to closing if you have a bona fide contract higher than the appraised value, and, if not, they actually eventually buy you out. It can be great because it relieves some of the uncertainty- BUT the inspection services they cover must be provided by their contractor and their sub-contractors. And I'm finding that they do things in their own sweet time.

[jerseymom]

Tootsie,
I sent you a pm. Sorry to hear about the relo troubles.
Jerseymom

[tootsie]

Didn't get the PM-

[counselor95]

I have just begun this process, as my relocation authorization was just processed. I have been contacted by many folks working through Prudential Relo, but the real-estate "counselor" did not contact me and failed to answer my phone calls. When I called yet again and she happened to pick up the phone, she said Monday was the first available appointment to go over the package of materials. I specifically requested that a real-estate agent where I live now, be asked to contact me this weekend, because we are going to list next week (May hire). So far, nada; I have dealt with real estate agents before, and they are quick to respond, so this must be a failure on the part of my "counselor" to get it done.

Please, if anyone else has had trouble with Prudential real estate, let me know. I think I would forgo dealing with them, if so. I don't like a pattern of being ignored; real estate deals are made and broken on "striking while the iron is hot".

It sounds like Prudential may be intentionally finding "defects" where no one else does, in order to acquire the property at a lower price?

C95

[tootsie]

Yeah, the problem is the "counselor" and you need to have this individual schedule your inspections (which are paid by the relo company) and "advise" you on a sale contract, as well as sign-off on the deal. I went with Prudential all the way, listing agent and purchasing agent in the other city, hoping that would help with the "counselor" thing. I think it may have helped somewhat because the realtors seem to have a little more luck getting through to someone who can get the "counselor" to do something. The real estate agents are super - they have done a great job for me, both on the selling and buying end.

I have heard that the "counselor" job may be unpleasant, with people quitting and other people having to take over workloads. That's too bad, but when you have a sale pending, you need someone to step up to the plate and get the job done- right?

Anyway, as a word of advice (and I know we're all lawyers here) I'm going to say this:

DO BUSINESS BY e-mail - GET IT IN WRITING!!!

[counselor95]

A plea to anyone else out there who is trying to sell a house via Prudential Relo -- am I the only one being ignored by PR? They have had all my initial documentation for ten days, but have not even begun the process which is supposed to end with a buy-out.

I thought PR is being paid by SSA to help this process go smoothly? Instead, it is adding a layer of stress and more delay to this already complex process.

[justfoundthisboard]

Where in the process are you? Have you already listed with a realtor?

[counselor95]

Yes, I listed two weeks ago with a Prudential-recommended realtor. Both she and I have submitted all requested documents, but have heard nothing in 10 days.

[justfoundthisboard]

You should probably call SSA ASAP. There is no excuse for that. My counselor is just the opposite - she's moving so quickly, I don't know what to do next to keep up with her.

[tootsie]

JFTB- you are very, very lucky! My so-called counselor has been "out of the office" (seemingly forever) but recently I got an e-mail from someone else who was filling in - I thought "Great- NOW maybe I can get some answers" but...when I replied to the e-mail I got an "out of office auto reply" saying the new person was out of the office from March 28th until June 6th! What a racket!

[counselor95]

Thanks, JFTB. I finally called the very first person from PR who had contacted me; he said my relocation counselor was out sick for an indefinite time, but he would get someone to call me. Within an hour, another person called me and said she would order the appraisals, termite inspection, and house inspection today. Now I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything proceeds apace.