PHOTO: Dream home
A couple who were meant to be building their dream home in Queensland have been left angry and distressed after the developer ripped up the contract just nine months after signing it.
Wayne Dunkley said they should have been moving into their new place by Christmas last year, but instead they have been “left in the lurch” and with no land to their name.
At the end of 2020, the couple had sold their home near Bundaberg for $490,000 as part of a plan to move closer to the Sunshine Coast.
They were ecstatic when they found a huge block in the town of Nambour, which was part of a development of 30 new townhouses, and were excited to build their three-bedroom, two-bathroom place with a four-car garage.
But they waited months for the land to be put in their name and it never happened.
Now the couple have been left empty-handed after the developer Solst Pty Ltd activated the sunset clause to terminate the contract.
Their deposit has been refunded but prices have gone up so much they can no longer afford to buy a comparable home.
“We thought we were very lucky as I had hunted high and low for something of value, I found it and waited 12 months and then they took it from us, so its just not right,” the 61-year-old told news.com.au.
“When we first sold, we looked at open homes on the Sunshine Coast around Nambour and we could have bought something then but now because of the massive price increases we can’t,” he said.
“That’s why I think the developer has operated the sunset clause as everything has gone up in value crazily.”
Wayne Dunkley and partner Jane were shattered to learn they no longer owned the Nambour block they planned to build a home to retire in after the developer acted on the sunset clause.
Nambour’s house prices have skyrocketed by almost 40 per cent in the past 12 months with median prices now around $656,000.
The Coles delivery driver said he has been left forking out $300 a week in rent for a duplex on Bribie Island as well as storage costs of $220 a month, while they waited for the house to be built.
“Morally it’s totally wrong, they have kept us hanging for over 12 months and I’ve got legal costs, I’ve got rent costs and I’ve got storage costs and we have lost a year of our lives,” he said.
The Dunkley’s had lost 28 at Solandra Estate at Nambour, which was considerably bigger than other parts of the development.
READ MORE VIA NEWS.COM.AU
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