Heartland Homes Facing Angry Customers

 

LABELLE, FL. -- Heartland Homes of Florida is finding more and more unhappy home buyers as construction delays become common, and the home builder tells customers they have to pay more than the originally agreed contract price. 

The local home builder is getting more and more 1-star reviews on Google reviews in the last few weeks. 107 customers have left reviews of the builder, the more recent ones, less and less flattering to Hendry county's largest home builder.

Heartland Homes management responded to one customer Google review in May saying, "Yes, we are returning the deposit of anyone who cancels their purchase due to the price increase. We are trying to be as fair as possible and certainly understand that this isn’t the customer’s fault." 

Luis Perdomo, wrote on his Google review that his son contracted to buy a home, but the price was later increased by $40,000. He said his son was able to get his deposit back, but allegedly Heartland has customers sign an agreement if they get their deposit back, they can't sue Heartland. 

Perdomo said buyers should read "Section 8" in the sales contract carefully, as it allegedly allows Heartland Home to increase prices at anytime if Heartland's costs increase.

Another dissatisfied home buyer and Google reviewer said he would post documents online regarding his contract. Heartland responded, "While we understand your frustration, threats won’t resolve the issue."

One YouTube creator, who contracted to buy a Heartland "Welsh" 3 bedroom/2 bath model without a garage for $153,000 in March 2021, said he guesses Heartland seems to be increasing prices on buyers who contracted to buy homes after March 2021. His family moved into the Glades county home, Heartland's smallest model, at the end of May after a 14 month wait. The home was originally promised to be finished in November 2021.

It may be possible that Heartland looks at each buyer's financial situation and won't raise prices on older contracts, but may raise other buyer's prices if it looks like the buyer can afford it, and the mortgage lender will still lend at a higher price.

Nadia Olive left a comment on YouTube saying she spoke to co-owner Kevin Berth at Heartland: "Kevin also said that everyone's price increases are an individual basis with several factors involved . All of this being said if I cancel the contract and resigned tomorrow on the same house it would cost me about $15,000 more." Heartland is giving buyers two weeks to decide if they will agree to higher prices or get a refund of deposits, if agreeing not to sue Heartland.

Heartland has been responding to an increasing number of one-star Google reviews in the last month saying, "Heartland Homes has experienced significant delays in government agencies, material deliveries, contracted services, and finding new members to add to our team. Often, we find these areas to be inconsistent with deliveries, approvals, or providing the services needed on our scheduled dates." 

Heartland seven home models are named after breeds of horses, and it may be a wild ride for home buyers and Heartland Homes in months ahead.

Click: Heartland Homes of Florida - Google reviews, questions, and information 

Click: Previous Heartland Homes of Florida story (May 2022)

Aerial Photo: A Heartland Home under construction in Port LaBelle