Shane Garst, Powerhouse Realty

Win Cramer _{on Google}

May 10th, 2023

We thought we were investing in our dream home on Adams Street in Carlsbad Village, but what we got was a nightmare. The builders and selling agent, Shane Garst aka The Sydekicks promised us a sturdy, and well-built house with awesome features shown in renderings, but it turns out he cut corners, used subpar materials, and changed designs without our consent. Now, every time it rains, our home leaks like a sieve and we're left with severe water damage throughout the majority of the home. We've been forced to move out of our home after only four months from close of escrow. Architects and Engineers have opined that the house is "catastrophic" and estimate that repairs due to sub-par oversight and build quality will take six months to one year to complete, forcing our family to bounce from rental property to rental property.
To make matters worse, Shane abandoned the project before it was even finished. We were left with unfinished rooms, exposed wiring, changes to plans, and other hazards that put our family at risk. They left us with a home that was not only poorly built but also dangerous for our family.
Adding insult to injury, the Shane has claimed not to be the General Contractor on the project, rather passing the blame on to the construction company (whom he hired) and the sub-contractors (whom he also hired). Despite this claim he has filed (in our opinion) a fraudulent lien on the house (and as such on us) of almost $500,000 knowing full well that we do not owe any monies to contractors, sub contractors, workers or material providers and closed escrow free and clear less a small holdback for finishing work of which he did not finish. Moreover, mechanic liens are only allowed and designed to be filed by contractors, of which they claim not to be.
Don't let the promise of a beautiful home cloud your judgement. Do your research and make sure you're working with a builder and real estate agent who uses quality materials and has a proven track record of finishing projects. Otherwise, you could end up with a leaky, unfinished and unsafe home, just like us.
We hope our story serves as a cautionary tale for those in the market for a new home. Stay safe and choose wisely.