Discrimination? Southern Real Estate

Turning left off of Parkins Mill Road, a street with similar styled homes with a tiny “For-Sale” sign caught my attention. Located at the end of the cul-de-sac were two juxtaposed large signs displayed in front of the vacant lot displaying both the realtor and developer. I checked Zillow and Trulia for the price of the lot, to discover the listing didn’t exist in it’s GPS log. I telephoned the realtor to inquire further.

Pleased, I informed the realtor of the intention to contact later. Her response led to an immediate invitation to her home, which is utilized as a model home for the builder. At first reluctant to accept, she recommended to see the quality of craftsmanship from the community’s mandatory builder.

I researched the property on the Greenville County website. Uploading deeds, property history and covenant documents, I gathered as much public information as I could on the recently listed property. Discovered a discrepancy on Trulia on the unmarked lot, it listed the property and surrounding properties out of my budget. A price completely different from the one disclosed over the phone. I figured it was the price for the optional large house plans posted on the listing. Also, figuring the private property would be lower for its close proximity to a drainage detention area and high traffic road with its loud emitted noise.

I trekked to the builder’s “model home” and met the realtor. She greeted at the door, immediately sensing a lack of engagement with frequent awkward pauses. The actual tour was standing in the foyer with dark views of the dining room and living room. The style is a traditional brick, suburban house with no unique finishes. Inquiring further about the property off Parkins Mill Road. The price told over the phone somehow is only for the lot. Familiar with buying lots and building homes separately within a community, the in-person information was altered from our first conversation. Over the phone, I was told there was no minimum square footage to then in-person told of a “minimum required to be proportionate with the lot” and a size to “harmonize with the rest of the houses on the street.” Perplexed by the differing facts, the realtor assured her clear memory on specific details after spending hard working hours with the developer to draft house plans. The optional house plan would be used as the predominant design. There was no longer a stipulation to build “any plans”, but “any plans” after passing strict community guidelines and covenants, including price, size, material, even height of trees. However, the eager realtor already invited the designated developer to meet with their potential buyers. Thinking it would be great to meet him for guidance in building a house.

After fifteen minutes in the foyer and engaging in small talk unrelated to the property, the invitation seemed to lose it’s luster. I was supposed to tour the builder’s live portfolio, but I wasn’t invited further in the house until I suggested to see the kitchen. Taking seven steps into the house, the rooms were closer than expected. The grand exterior wasn’t proportionate to its interior rooms.

Shortly, enters the bright, fresh faced builder/seller, the realtor instantly introducing me as not the right buyers. The builder/seller wasn’t forthcoming to provide information about his process and methods in building a house in the Greenville area. His responses generally consisted of repeating his company’s slogan -“we build on your ideas” on various budgets. The realtor-developer tag team were able to disclose an estimate to custom build a house without knowing specifications or ideas. An estimate right above our budget and greatly beyond what I’ve heard from locals. The builder packages his portfolio under luxury without using any materials, besides plywood, wood framing, and veneering, for justifying his overpriced basic estimate.

Twenty-five minutes later, I was entering my car to leave the driveway. I decided to revisit the property and surrounding community that once excited me. Pulling up again to the property to find the flier mentioned on that day’s conversation with the realtor. The price advertised was different from the one the realtor disclosed over the phone and in-person. The price posted for the lot was less. Already listed on Trulia for three months, did the price increase after three months being on the market in a “desired neighborhood” with no buyers? Or did she notice a northern area code and increase the price?

TL;DR What I noticed…

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