Matlock Place Apartments, LP (it’s in Arlington Texas)
was controlled by Hagop Kofdarali. Druce Properties, LLC purchased the
apartments in 2004. Both were fairly sophisticated owner / operators, with at
least some level of experience in managing
multi-family properties.
When
Hagop’s sister initially purchased the property in 2002 the occupancy rate was
only 40% - 50%. In 2002 and 2003 Hagop spent more than $500,000 in repair and
remodel expenses, possibly as a condition to a $1.8 million loan.
Hagop
then listed the property with a national brokerage firm. The firm prepared and
distributed to Druce a marketing brochure which provided for a 93% occupancy
rate and claimed “Major Rehab Just Completed.” Hagop, however, testified at
trial that occupancy could fluctuate monthly anywhere from 80% - 93%, and that
the rehabilitation was incomplete because the roof repairs and unit-interiors
still required work.
Druce
and Hagop signed a letter of intent for $2.4 million, which provided a 21-day
inspection period as well as a $100,000 credit at closing for “repairs and
maintenance.” Druce testified that he personally inspected the property and
viewed 10 of the 99 units. He was satisfied with what he saw, and continued
with the analysis.
After
the contract was signed Druce received 1,500 – 2,000 pages of documents from
the property manager. Included within the package were disclosures regarding
delinquent rentals and serious criminal activities. Druce claims he did not
notice them, since they were “buried” in the pile of paper.
Druce
and Hagop closed the deal in July 2004. Druce evidently visited the property a
few days before closing and noticed that it looked deserted. During that visit
he also learned from an Arlington police officer that the area was well known
for drug dealers, addicts and prostitutes. But he bought it anyway, claiming he
was financially and emotionally invested in it, thinking that the income stream
would be “gigantic.”
After
closing the occupancy rate was between 58% and 78%. Druce spent $800,000 to
rehabilitate the property, all in an effort to merely break even.
Druce,
claiming he relied on Hagop’s representations as contained in the marketing
piece and that such reps were untrue, brought a lawsuit seeking damages. The
trial court entered Judgment against Hagop for approximately $2.4 million,
finding that Hagop committed fraud by failure to disclose.
Hagop’s
appeal was primarily centered around the theory that Druce could not have
relied on anything that Hagop (or his broker) did or did not say or represent,
because of the full-blown “as is, where is, non-reliance” clause in bold, upper
case type in the Contract.
The
Texas Court of Appeals in Fort Worth agreed with Hagop. Judgment reversed.
Hagop wins. Druce loses. A properly worded “as is, where is, non-reliance”
clause may still be effective in Texas.
See Matlock Place Apartments v. Druce;
No. 02-09-00130; Court of Appeals, Second District of Texas; January 17, 2012.
Lessons learned:
1. Recently, my son published an article evaluating the continuing effectiveness of
“non-reliance” clauses in commercial real estate. Recent Texas Supreme Court
authority indicated that such clauses are almost extinct. This Fort Worth
Court, however, has a different view.
2. Sellers
should check their Contract forms to be sure they track the language of the
“non-reliance” clause in this case as close as possible.
3. Buyers
should check their Contract forms to be sure they track the language of the Italian
Cowboys case my son wrote about.
Reprinted with the permission of North Texas Commercial Association of REALTORS®, Inc.
