Lawsuit sticks residents at The Farm at Carolina Forest with worries
The sprawling neighborhoods of Carolina Forest were built in the middle of a 55,000-acre parcel that used to be the Conway Bombing and Gunnery Range, which stretched between S.C. 90 and the Intracoastal Waterway south of S.C. 9. The former practice bombing range was used during World War II to train air-to-ground gunnery and bombing troops. They usually would drop dummy bombs filled with sand or flour, but they sometimes used live munitions. Much of the Carolina Forest property, including The Farm, was cleaned of all munitions - dummy or otherwise - to a depth of six feet before homes were built.  However, unexploded bombs occasionally have been found in the area. For example, Horry County police responded to a pair of live munition reports near Carolina Forest Boulevard in 2005.

Developers pressured to fix tattered streets
Commissioner Adkisson is heading the new ad hoc committee that is made up of builders, realtors, Ventura Heights homeowner and their advocates. They are talking about options for homeowners if the private roads are not maintained by the developers. "I don't feel like it was productive," said homeowner Thomasina Nichols about the meeting. "I feel like they still want us, as the homeowner, to be responsible for something that we shouldn't be held responsible for."That is why Adkisson says the county will continue putting the pressure on the developers."That's why we want those who are responsible to take responsibility. We will be on these folks, and we will be at it and we want to help the people who are out there feeling like they are fending for themselves."

Builders Ask Taxpayers for Help Building Homes
Three Democrats in the House recently introduced legislation that would require the Treasury to guarantee $15 billion in construction loans. Backers say the program will give builders a boost until the housing market recovers. The measure, which would be open to all builders, addresses what has become a big divide within the building industry: While the downturn forced many private players to halt construction and suspend land acquisition, publicly owned builders have been able to soldier on–while losing money–benefiting from the advantage of selling stock to raise money and financing debt long-term. Public players have also reaped monetary windfalls, thanks to a new law letting companies apply losses from 2008 or 2009 against the previous five years, instead of two.

HOA Management Company: Leave a Message, Pay A Fee
Residents in the Weston Hills Subdivision in Orlando said when they called the management company after 5 p.m., a recorded message warned of a $25 fee for every non-emergency message left with the service...But when reporter Mike Holfeld listened to the recording, there was no indication that there was a line designated for emergency calls only. In fact, the beginning of the recording clearly states, "If this is an emergency call 911." Jan Bergman, a member of the state HOA task force under former Gov. Jeb Bush said the whole thing is "over the top."

Bob Perry bankrolls Republican in New Mexico
Houston homebuilder Bob Perry has his favorite in the Texas governor's race - incumbent Rick Perry (no relation). The Republican governor has been a long-time recipient of campaign cash, and has reciprocated by creating a state agency that protected builders from consumer complaints (now disbanded after a storm of protest). Perhaps the nation's most prolific campaign giver, Bob Perry is putting big money behind a candidate for governor in New Mexico.

Neighbors claim HOA ignoring snake and insect problem caused by neglected pond
There is a detention pond behind Baeza's home which is producing some scary health and safety hazards. "This is a haven for water moccasin and other snakes, which we're already found 4." There are more problems breeding in the standing water. "As you can see, we have a gazillion tadpoles, we've got frogs, we've got a lot of 10-fold spiders coming out." Baeza says the pond near his home is also attracting leeches, mosquitos and other insects.News 4 WOAI found out the pond is on private property which the Hills of Shaenfield Home Owners Association is responsible for maintaining. However, Baeza says the HOA has been giving him the run-around over cleaning up the area.  County Code Compliance is issuing a violation notice

Chico homebuilder pleads guilty, faces up to 20 years in prison
A Chico homebuilder faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to federal charges linking him to a mortgage fraud scheme. Tony Symmes, the owner of Aspire Homes, admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of money laundering.

OH NO!  Too Perverse to Fail
HR 5409, the Residential Construction Lending Act. Sponsors: Brad Miller, D-N.C., Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, and Joe Baca, D-CA. NAHB lobbies for govt guarantee of development loans, (i.e. taxpayer guaranteed?). Already, we have a mortgage-interest-tax deduction, the recent home-buyer tax credits, mortgage-modification programs, the $100 billion-plus bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the Fed's $1.25 trillion purchases of mortgage-backed securities.  Google: Home Builder Fraud for more...

UPDATED May 28, 2010: Building industry wants the U.S. Treasury Dept to guarantee builders' loans
More of, Builders against big govt except when they're for it: Building industry economist urges careful regulation, says govt just gets in the way. Except when builders are looking for a tax break, bailout, or govt to guarantee their development loans.

Can County Get Ventura Heights Out Of Lien Times?
Judge Wolff said the Texas Legislature prevented counties from truly holding developers accountable for shoddy infrastructure, but strongly suggested the commissioner's court find a new solution to the residents' plight, which he considered a matter of public safety... In the case of Ventura Heights, the developer, Obra Homes, failed to build the subdivision's roads in compliance with county specifications,

Texas Couple Wins $51 Million for Defective $250,000 House
A decade-long battle has carried the retirement-age couple through the courts, arbitration and all the way to the Texas Supreme Court. Though they've won every round, their home is still defective and the builder, Bob Perry of Houston-based Perry Homes, swears he'll appeal... "I think his heavy-handed efforts were one of the main reasons the TRCC went away," the independent homebuilder said.

Neighborhood Wants County To Fix Roads
Ventura Heights homeowners did not have to pay extra for the jagged potholes near the entrance to their subdivision or the separation in the street, or the pavement crumbling away for curbs and sidewalks. "It's been bad for years," said homeowner Tamarand Darling. "It's been bad for years. I've already had to replace my tires several times." ...Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff agreed residents should not have to pay for the street repairs.  Beginning next week, a committee will begin looking at ways to fix the problem and not just in Ventura Heights. A county engineer estimates there are 77 miles of substandard streets put in by developers in many other Bexar County subdivisions.

No map yet to road-fix solution
The distraught homeowners of Ventura Heights, a middle-class subdivision in Northeast Bexar County, found a sympathetic ear Tuesday at Commissioners Court... Commissioners Paul Elizondo... said they were concerned about setting a precedent because so many other neighborhoods have similar problems.  If Bexar County started paying to fix roads in Ventura Heights, it would open a “Pandora's box” throughout the county, where there's 77 miles of streets in similar, though perhaps less drastic, condition, Elizondo said.

Ventura Heights families take to the streets for better pavement
The streets in their neighborhood are so bad, they don't even comply with county standards. Yet homeowners in Ventura Heights are being told if they want their streets fixed, they'll have to pay out of their own pockets.

Homeowner beats HOA lawyer in court
The News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters' recent investigation into skyrocketing foreclosures by homeowner associations struck a nerve. Because of the spotlight we put on the problem, many homeowners are demanding lawmakers stop HOA's from taking homes because of unpaid dues. Most of these foreclosures are filed by one attorney, Tom Newton. He represents almost all the HOA's in San Antonio. If your home is on the auction block, there is a good chance he is the guy you'll have to deal with.