Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

New Home Construction Delayed by Builder

We entered a contract to build a new home March 8, 2003. It states that the builder will complete the home within 180 days of our receiving financing. We did so on March 14. As of July 20th, the builder has not broken ground. Every time we speak with them, the timeline pushes back.

At this point, they're talking December and we're not confident they can even meet that date.

Do we have an option to step away from this contract and get our earnest money back?


Asked on 7/21/03, 10:21 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

John Pembroke John J. Pembroke & Associates LLC

Re: New Home Construction Delayed by Builder

Given the specificity of that clause requiring delivery within 180 days, you may be able to get out of the contract and get your money back. However, there may be another clause that excuses performance, so I can't tell you with certainty what your rights are without reviewing the whole contract. You should consult a lawyer to have this done, but again, you may have the ability to break the contract and get your money back if you act promptly.

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Answered on 7/21/03, 1:00 pm
Mary McDonagh McDonagh-Faherty Law Offices

Re: New Home Construction Delayed by Builder

Probably but you will need to have an attorney review your contract to ascertain your exact options at this point. Also, you probably cannot do anything until the date of completion has passed.

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Answered on 7/21/03, 3:32 pm
Kenneth J. Ashman Ashman Law Offices, LLC

Re: New Home Construction Delayed by Builder

Your rights and obligations are governed by your sale/purchase agreement. Without reading the contract, it is simply not possible to give you accurate advice.

With that caveat, you should know that if one party is in material breach of a contract, the other party need not perform its obligations. Stated differently, if the builder is in material breach of the 180 day provision, it seems likely/reasonable that you would not have to wait an unreasonable time to have your home built. This is especially so if the contract states that "time is of the essence." (By the way, I recommend if you ultimately decide to buy new elsewhere, you insert a "time is of the essence" provision in the contract.

Again, it is simply not possible to know your legal rights and obligations without a review of the contract at issue.

-- Kenneth J. Ashman; www.AshmanLawOffices.com; [email protected]

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Answered on 7/21/03, 9:51 pm


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