Canceled for convenience: North Texas family loses home after builder backs out without warning

A North Texas family says they have a warning for anyone who's buying a home from a builder. Just days before closing on their forever home, their builder backed out. Turns out the builder's contract they were required to sign left them with virtually no protection.

Dallas news, weather, sports and traffic from KDFW FOX 4, serving Dallas-Fort Worth, North Texas and the state of Texas.

[vincejamison]

This is an outrage.
Sounds like the builder used these people to finance the build, only to sell at an increased price to bidding buyers.

[jennifer]

Ethics are obviously not a practice for this company. I hope the judge sees right through that contract and awards the family.

[mylovelycrazylife]

I did some searching and the family finally got their home. The builder removed “cancel for convenience” from all of the contracts but left ALL of the other crap in there. Still absolute crooks.

[riceLife]

So the company took their deposit to build a house to flip it. Sounds like a scam.

[James-olrw]

They not only stole your new house, they stole the equity YOU were entitled to. Despicable action by the builder!

[ThioJoe]

Get this in front of a jury and that builder will be nuked out if existence. Binding arbitration clauses should be illegal.

[lugopets]

I was going to buy a house from a builder but backed up after reading the contract. I had no way to hold them accountable for anything. Unconscionable.

[ravenwhite]

What makes it even worse is how they were strung along up until the final moments.. This was plain evil

[Kestrophedrone]

Working on your dream home for 16 months to have it stolen from you is a blow to the heart, mind, and spirit. I’m at a loss.

[paulettebarrow]

WOW, I would say this company should be investigated and see how many other people they have done this to. Man I pray this all works out for this couple, beautiful home.

[kmo]

Sounds like those home builders were scammers pure and simple. My dad was a home builder in the 60's and 70's and had a great reputation and was highly respected. This company is disgusting. I hope this family gets justice in the end and people looking to having homes built in this area run screaming away from these sleezeballs.

[bizzyfit]

I saw your update. Good work Fox 4. You used your platform to help a family in need. What a great reminder that the world is still full of good.

[vynidalopes]

This is why you NEED to have an attorney or anyone who understands legal language to explain what exactly will or can happen in case of anything happening. Makes your blood boil.

[alvinuselton]

So the builder used them to get the house built but when it was time to close they check the current market and if it has changed to allow for a greater profit than they give you your money back and take the profits, if the market is still the same or worse they close and take the profits originally predicted. Convenience is what ever allows them the most money. You selling your home tying up your money and your inconvenience does not mean any thing. These builders should never work in Texas again.

[ZombieDeathRace]

*UPDATE* The company folded and sold the Brundages the home at the original price. They also removed any and all "cancel for convenience" language from their contracts. It seems the public outcry actually put their business in jeopardy. GOOD.

[JEEPIMPACT]

nobody should do business with Kindred Homes, this is clearly taking advantage. First we had preditorial lenders, now we have preditorial home builders.

[orion]

Bless these poor folks. I hope they are doubly blessed for the troubles

[ForkedMan]

These kind of contracts should be so illegal to write and sign in the first place. I'm shocked this is even something that can even happen at all!

[idonhadenuff]

As I thought more about this situation the judge should rule against the builder because it is absolutely absurd to force someone to sell their existing home only to then cancel the contract. Hopefully somebody within the chambers can see through this because it just isn’t right. Smells awfully fishy to me.

[joshuamaxam]

They were held hostage by a contract. I've had the same thing happen to me, in my experience you will not win the case. I struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts after having my savings taken by a one sided contract just like this. I tell my story in this comment with the hope it is used as a cautionary tale that others can learn from.

TLDR: Do not let salesmen sweet talk you into signing contracts without intensive research. I repeat do not trust salesmen on their word.