Consumer complaint received 2023-01-04
Company: REMAX
State: TX
Product: Mortgage
Sub-product: Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Closing on a mortgage

Complaint:
I recently closed on a new build property in Texas in which the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX team demonstrated predatory, unfair and abusive practices at closing. 

As I was navigating the space on my own with a lot of difficulty, a sales manager recommended that it would be beneficial to speak to a Real Estate Agent, even if I knew the house I was purchasing and little negotiation with the builder, there is always something additional they can get. I was hesitant as I would have preferred their commission to go towards me, but the then Sales Manager informed me that some realtors can split the commission. I engaged XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX through a mutual friend and former customer, who works for XXXX XXXX, a REMAX Franchise, to support me throughout the process since I had very little acumen in the space as a recent XXXX  into the USA as of XXXX. 

XXXX and I met in late XXXX to see a combination of used homes ( two, one of which we could not gain access to ) and a new home which I already was pretty certain I was going to end up purchasing and did, closing on XX/XX/XXXX. I signed an agreement with XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, agreeing to a commission split of 50 % of the agents commissions. 

XXXX only provided assistance as I requested to : 1- Lower price of the home with Builder. XXXXXXXX was able to negotiate a $ XXXX discount which had already been made available to myself as a buyer since I had toured the property prior and did not need this. XXXX had previously advised that he and realtors usually get $ XXXX $ XXXX more which never materialized. In his favor, I never considered this the deciding factor as I really wanted support with the lender and builder process which had created XXXX  with me in prior years, causing deterioration to my mental health. I was fine with receiving a little over {$7600.00} based on the estimated price of the home. 
2- While I toured the home with XXXX XXXX I have three character witnesses to validate him sharing that his company provided an inspector at no additional cost which was a plus. 3- I executed the contract with the builder on XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX was non-existent until I had to reach out to get his thumbs up or better yet " nothing sticks out to me '' in writing. 
4- I communicated with XXXX to get an inspector and validate if he would tour the home with me. When I asked for the Inspector, XXXX references a cost of approximately {$500.00} to which I replied that they would cover. His response was that since he was giving me such a big " Rebate '' he could not do it. I proceeded to NOT delay the transaction as I was moving from a leased home with a return deadline in addition to potentially facing a {$600.00} per day penalty from the builder if they had not received payment. This caused emotional distress but we proceeded to pay the inspector. 
XXXX On XX/XX/XXXX, the Mortage company advised that I would only be able to receive {$230.00} when they all of a sudden received a XXXX because by law, incentives can not exceed 3 % between all parties. I would only be able to get it if I was able to put 10 % down which was twice the amount I could afford to put down! 
XXXX I spoke to XXXX over the course of the time through closing on XX/XX/XXXX in which he was attempting to " help me '' by having me sign a document within seconds of receiving the news from XXXX to have the Builder lower the price of the home which would give me more " equity ''. 
XXXX Each call he would provide, in tandem with his manager which was never present throughout the lifecycle of our agreement and was very shady to put it kindly would get worse. They went from getting on a conference call with me and the Mortage Company to explain XXXX and XXXX XXXX to me and deflect blame on each other. I made it VERY CLEAR that I was not going to stop pursuing the amount signed in the contract with their Real Estate company and to leave the other parties out of this. I had noted that this is where this started to seem like a scheme to cover up and still earn money while the customer gets nothing. 
XXXX - The following updates were XXXX attempts for me to see their efforts in getting a grill, fridge, upgrades, etc. Things that I did not want but would have been okay receiving to see if I could liquidate. NONE of the " upgrades '' or commitment equivalents were provided to me at close. 
XXXX - The last attempt was for me to choose a " charity of my choice for good '' of THEIR 50 % commission which would have netted me {$3800.00} or so to make this go away. I of course IMMEDIATELY said NO because I simply can not afford to donate right now, especially after the largest transaction I've made to date. 
XXXX After I had notified XXXX that if they could not give me the already reduced commission, I would not want to have further communication with him. I was already fatigued. I received no response other than that he was showing up at the home but ended up showing at closing with his boss, XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX - The charade these two put together was a scene straight of XXXX XXXX XXXX Educating me on laws that are greater than our agreement in which XXXX even admitted and over apologized for his negligence. He admitted to this because I pointed out that the 3 to 6 % Incentives are called out in the contracts he was SUPPOSED to review and clearly did not. 

I closed the contract and they stuck around to give advice on homestead taxes and things to look for in a sleazy attempt to cozy up a day that they both ruined for my family. A day that is meant to be a milestone of progress towards the American Dream was pummeled by two deceiving and principal lacking fraudsters from my point of view. 

I am now in further mental anguish and emotional fatigue because I had planned to use this money to cover taxes and upcoming expenses that I am afraid that I might fall short on. I would want the help from an agency without legal intervention if possible ( but I am willing to pursue ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation