The Palm Beach Post has this on pre-construction condos. "Did you buy a condo pre-construction? Remember these words: Buyer beware. Some buyers moving into two new condos in downtown West Palm Beach say things are oh-so different from what they expected. Others are exasperated by what they say is shoddy interior workmanship and unfinished punch lists."

"New condo owners say promises were made, and they don't want to hear excuses. 'I should not have to go into this and worry!' said Wendy Oats, who lives in a $750,000 penthouse at One City Plaza."

"It's gotten to the point where developers such as Kolter and BAP Development are on the defensive with residents. Kolter and BAP need to keep folks happy: Bad reviews could hurt nearby condos they're building."

"Experts say the problem with pre-construction is you can't see what you're getting. So some owners of One City Plaza who thought 'European style cabinetry' meant wood were surprised to learn it really means laminate. 'There's nothing redeeming about this building, other than the location,' said Kevin Landers, who bought a $600,000 condo."

"Valet parking was promised at first, but along the way was taken out during a redesign. Kolter execs say they disclosed the change, but Kenneth Pincourt, owner of two $750,000 penthouses, disagreed. The missing valet and doorman hurt the building's image, Pincourt said, and he hates the unfinished entry from the garage. 'I've never seen a building finished this way,' he said. 'It's a damn shame.'"

"Karen Zarif is unhappy her unit is 100 square feet smaller than sales brochures promised. Now she says her dining area isn't big enough for even a bistro table. 'I'm so upset, I get sick to my stomach,' Zarif said. In an e-mail, Bermello wrote that Zarif's unit type 'was subject to 'facade movements... ins and outs to create architectural interest.' Bermello said Zarif's final square footage was fully disclosed."

"Owner Dwain Wall, who owns an $800,000 condo, says he's realizing 'decorator ready' means the building will be in a perpetual state of construction. Nearly half the building's units are unfinished, and some of those are owned by investors who plan to resell them."

"Several buyers say they wish city hall would get involved. But Neil Melick, West Palm Beach's construction services director, said the city only oversees building infrastructure, such as plumbing and electrical. Issues between builders and buyers are 'contractual,' Melick said."

"Put another way: Time to put the lawyer on speed dial. That's probably where things will end up for some buyers. Others are pondering lessons learned. One buyer says he's reached this conclusion: 'I will never buy pre-construction again.'"