Dream Home Nightmare

By Jackelyn Barnard First Coast News

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- The Haygood family has waited a year to move into their dream home in Palencia, but now the family says there is no way they'll move in.

"To say that we feel like we've been ripped off is an understatement. It really, really is," says Joe Haygood.

Haygood and his wife, Felicia, say their $700,000 home is not what they paid for. "To be honest, the home we are very pleased with. It's the location of the house," says Felicia.

The Haygoods say they signed a contract in late 2005 to buy lot 23 in Palencia. They say according to their contract, that $35,000 lot is supposed to back up to a preserve.

They say they were given marketing materials showing a lot full of trees behind their dream home.

A few months ago, when the lot was cleared and construction began, the Haygoods say they spotted something other than trees in the back.

It was a mobile home that belongs to another family that has lived there for years. The family did not want to go on camera with First Coast News.

"If anyone were to look at the contract, the blueprints, it's fraud, it's mis-representation. So have we been lied to... of course we have," says Felicia Haygood.

Felicia and her husband say they complained to Toll Brothers, the builder, and to Palencia. Soon after, they say dirt and large trees were brought in to cover up the mobile home.

"We didn't authorize them to do this. The trees are starting to die," says Joe Haygood.

The Haygoods just want answers and the $50,000 they have already put down. They say so far, Toll Brothers is refusing to refund the money.

"Do what's right and that's all that we ask... do what's right," says Haygood.

Toll Brothers told First Coast News it is aware of the situation but because the matter is in the middle of litigation they cannot make a comment.

Palencia did not have any answers, except to say they are trying to find out the facts on the case.

The Haygoods have hired an attorney. They say they are set to go to arbitration this summer.

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