Buying and Selling: Lemon Aid

The Washington City Paper has a cautionary tale about what happens when you think you're getting a condo bargain, and the price of repairs to the building is more than your entire s?!tbox is worth. :) Not only that, but all your attempts at redress are due for "Mortal Kombat-" style failure.

Actually, what amazes me is that she was able to find ANYTHING in the metro D.C. area for under $300,000. I guess this explains why. Money quote:

“How can DCRA allow a developer that forges bank documents, and then submits those forged documents to DCRA as if they were genuine, to continue selling condominium units in the District?”

But...but...it's for the good of the economy! If you don't buy the most expensive condo possible, you're supporting THE TERRORISTS! Why do you hate America?

Don't worry, because in Maryland, they still have adjustable ARMs to hold you. Come on, Examiner, I know you're a free paper and what not, but THIS is the best you can do?

For information from people who actually have more of an idea of what they're talking about, check out this piece on doing environmental assessments before buying condos. You gotta wonder if the poor woman in the City Paper article really, seriously LOOKED at the place she was buying before plonking down the cash. That's what happens when you do your shopping based solely on price--you squeeze lemon juice in your eye and blind yourself to all else. Yeah, that's foul, but so is the housing market. :)

(Link courtesy of the excellent Urban Trekker.)

Posted at April 14, 2006 02:48 PM

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The Washington City Paper has a cautionary tale about what happens when you think you're getting a condo bargain, and the price of repairs to the building is more than your entire s?!tbox is worth. :) Not only that, but all your attempts at redress are due for "Mortal Kombat-" style failure. Actually, what amazes me is that she was able to find ANYTHING in the metro D.C. area for under $300,000. I guess this explains why. Money quote: “How can DCRA allow a developer that forges bank documents, and then submits those forged documents to DCRA as if they were genuine, to continue selling condominium units in the District?” But...but...it's for the good of the economy! If you don't buy the most expensive condo possible, you're supporting THE TERRORISTS! Why do you hate America? Don't worry, because in Maryland, they still have adjustable ARMs to hold you. Come on, Examiner, I know you're a free paper and what not, but THIS is the best you can do? For information from people who actually have more of an idea of what they're talking about, check out this piece on doing environmental assessments before buying condos. You gotta wonder if the poor woman in the City Paper article really, seriously LOOKED at the place she was buying before plonking down the cash. That's what happens when you do your shopping based solely on price--you squeeze lemon juice in your eye and blind yourself to all else. Yeah, that's foul, but so is the housing market. :) (Link courtesy of the excellent Urban Trekker.)