Bensville Crossing by Stanley Martin Homes - SOLD OUT!

Reviews

• TS

  Tasha S

  Mar 16, 2026
  1.0
  My Experience With Stanley Martin Homes (New Construction in Maryland) I was under contract with Stanley Martin Homes for a new single-family home in Maryland. I regularly visited the site, documented progress, and hired an independent inspector for a pre-drywall inspection followed by a walkthrough with the project engineer. However, the pre-drywall inspection was limited because insulation was already installed, preventing a full evaluation of framing, electrical, and plumbing. Before the inspection documented holes in the OSB sheathing on the main and second levels, but once insulation was installed I could not determine whether those areas had been repaired or simply covered. During the subsequent walkthrough with the project engineer he acknowledged the items in the report but never confirmed the items were completed. I did not notice any unusual odors at this time. After drywall was installed, I returned and noticed a strong urine-like odor in the unfinished basement. The next day the on-site engineer also acknowledged the odor and pointed out a possible area of concern. A few days later I observed what appeared to be dried yellow liquid in the HVAC drip pan and spots on the nearby concrete floor. Because concrete is porous, liquids can sometimes create persistent odors. On Jan 1, 2026 I emailed the engineer and sales representative with no response for several days. My realtor followed up on Jan 5. On Jan 7, I was told a new engineer had taken over the community. On Jan 9 the new engineer responded that there were “no physical signs” of contamination and remediation was unnecessary.He did not mention the odor in his email. When I asked if a professional remediation company had evaluated the area, the response again referenced the lack of visible signs. After mentioning terminating the contract, a cleaning company was sent to clean the HVAC drip pan. When I returned there was a strong chemical smell and the pan appeared clean. The engineer said identifying the substance was outside the scope of his job but suggested it appeared to be dirt (which should be outside the scope as well). There was a strong chemical used to clean the area just for dirt. The spots previously on the concrete floor were gone after the cleaning, though I never mentioned them. I requested escalation and asked for an independent evaluation but did nothing came of that request. I later recorded video showing what appeared to be residual liquid in the pan. After painting and finishing work, the odor became less noticeable. During site visits I also observed typical construction debris, food, trash, and once saw a beer bottle left inside the home. When I raised it with the engineer, he emphasized coordinating visits with the sales representative so the home could be “cleaned up” beforehand, which raised concerns for me about job-site oversight and cleanliness. As closing approached, the builder’s affiliated lender encouraged me to lock a 6.49% rate while other lenders quoted VA rates around 5.5–5.6%—about a $400/month difference. Although closing cost assistance was advertised, the higher rate and fees reduced the overall value of that incentive in my situation. Once the builder learned I was considering terminating the contract, additional remediation options were proposed, including replacing the HVAC drip pan and cleaning surrounding areas. By that point my confidence had been significantly affected, so I chose to terminate the contract. The builder retained my $20,000 earnest money deposit. Advice for buyers: • Negotiate your EMD and understand the terms • Hire independent inspectors at multiple stages. • Document everything with photos and video. • Compare mortgage rates carefully, especially with affiliated lenders. Those items are in favor of the builder not YOU. • understand how builder incentives are structured. Run the numbers. New construction does not guarantee quality. Walking away was my best decision because my experience coupled with the reviews of shoddy workmanship made the $20K of small concern. That's something!

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