Terri Harber, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.March 19, 2022, 5:25 AM·4 min read

Mar. 19—A Jackson County Small Claims Court judge last week awarded compensation to a family who planned to move into a manufactured home in Medford Estates last summer but ended up having to opt out of the deal after a bevy of unexpected and unadvertised fees.

Jesus and Stephanie Espinoza said they were surprised to find out, among other things, that costs were higher than advertised and that the dwelling wasn't ready for them to move in on the date promised by the company.

According to court documents, the Espinozas were advised by Medford Estates to make unnecessary and detrimental choices. For example, they were told by a company representative they had to be living in Oregon and employed locally before they could apply for home financing.

That advice was inaccurate. Jesus Espinoza quit his job earlier than necessary, which caused the family financial damage, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Laura Cromwell wrote March 11 in her decision, which required Medford Estates to compensate the family more than $6,200.

The money is meant to partially make up for expenses they incurred as a result of the move-in price being higher than they anticipated and the home not being ready to occupy by the date noted in the agreement.

The judgment covered such expenses as gasoline for the trip as well as living expenses from their day of arrival to when they moved into an alternative dwelling.

Damages included lodging, storage and a post office box. They also had to spend more money for food than what they would have paid if they hadn't moved to Southern Oregon to buy the home. Lost wages were included, as well, the court decision stated.

Small claims court awards don't exceed $10,000.

The Espinozas, who were living in the San Diego area before moving to Southern Oregon, contacted Medford Estates after seeing an ad on Zillow.com.

"The ads said, 'All you need is $5,000.' No extra fees. Nothing," said Stephanie Espinoza. "We thought it was the only way for us to have a home."

(editor：)