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Please let us know what has happened to you, and let us know if you would like to help us make buying new houses safer.
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RETHA ALFORD
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posted 21 October 2007 14:52 CET
I wrote my congressman Senator Howard Coble of NC, and recieved a letter back from him stating that he has taken the stance to be for binding arbitration, and will not be voting against it. I just wanted to let it be known to all North Carolianians that our law makers are for us being treated the way we are by bad builders. |
Sylvia Jacobson
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posted 21 October 2007 01:03 CET
How about Lennar selling homes on expansive soil without disclosing to the consumer that the soil is expansive!! Homes being pulled apart by the soil expanding and contracting..Hundreds of homes devastated.. Quality of life diminished..Lennar willing to repair the symptoms, while doing nothing for the cause.. The same symptoms are repaired over and over again (sheet rock, nail pops, defective trusses, all cosmetic) However, all the cosmetic problems are being caused by the expansive soil. Some home owners believe the cosmetic issues can be resolved. Of course this is what the builder wants them to believe. So there are home owners that are moving out, moving back in, moved out again, back in, over and over and over..what happens when warranty expires??
Nothing is being done about the foundation, drainage, land grading.. or the soil!! We were even lied to on the HUD document that asked the builder if the soil was expansive. They didn't even have the balls to say yes!! The "NO" box is checked..
I personally don't want cosmetic (symptomatic) work done on my home. I want them to buy my house back. They can do all the cosmetic work they want to do once they buy it back from me. It's the right thing to do..I was lied to, I relied on their credibility, and they took advantage of me. I was duped, as were many others. |
Jamie Allison
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posted 17 October 2007 13:04 CET
I have been dealing with The Lennar Home corp.
for the past 4 months with an issue about my home. It was built about 4
years ago and we did not know about a structural flaw until this past
July. A few of our windows leak into the home when it rains and since this
past July Lennar keeps trying to fix it and has failed 4 times. I asked
them to replace the windows and they seem to refuse to do so and just keep
tip toeing around the issues with simple fixes that fail to work. My main
concern are health issues mainly with our 9 month old son, they did find
mold in our home back in July but I have no way of knowing if the mold is
completely gone at this point. My wife and I have been under alot of
emotional stress because of this.
There have been 4 attempts to solve this problem with no resolution in site. If this next attempt to fix the leaks is not resolved then we need to get these windows replaced. If Lennar refuses to do so than I will be forced to take legal action against Lennar. I know we do not want to go this far but Lennar has to realize that this was a structural integrity issue from day one when the house was built and should be fixed. It has caused alot of emotional stress on our part and I have no faith in any work that has been done up to this point. I am not asking to rebuild the house, just replace some windows. Like I mentioned before I have already consulted with an attorney on this matter. We are lucky my wife is even able to be home for all your Lennar visits, if she was not able to do so, I would have been fired at this point taking off days from work so you can come to the house. |
m j
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posted 16 October 2007 09:43 CET
I purchased a new home from Veranda Homes LLC in Leland,NC March 2005.
I was removing my carpet from my poured concrete slab foundation and found several cracks 10 feet long ranging from hairline to 1/4 inch wide.
I also found vertical cracks on the slab outside of the house between the ground and the start of the siding.
The builder tells me this is normal and will not do anything about it other than filling them in. |
m jordan
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posted 16 October 2007 09:40 CET
I purchased a new home from Veranda Homes LLC in Leland,NC March 2005.
I was removing my carpet from my poured concrete slab foundation and found several cracks 10 feet long ranging from hairline to 1/4 inch wide.
I also found vertical cracks on the slab outside of the house between the ground and the start of the siding.
The builder tells me this is normal and will not do anything about it other than filling them in. |
Celoris
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posted 11 October 2007 14:51 CET
11 Oct 2007
Dear Sir and/or Madam:
I live at 3561 S. Cindy Jo Dr, Clarksville, TN 931-801-9759. I purchased a home which is so poorly constructed. I have cracks, splits, bubbles, warped and sagging areas in ceilings and walls, there are dents and grooves also, etc; all through my home. The floors pop and in some areas you can feel the boards move under your feet. I need help please. I paid $139,000 for the home paying $1051 a month and it’s not worth it at all. It’s a VA home so I am not bound by arbitration but can’t afford the prices lawyers have quoted me.
Can you help me? I have contacted the Consumer Affairs and BBB, both contacted builder (Blackwell & Blackwell) who have now changed their name. They told the agencies that they wasn’t going to fix anything. The agencies told me since they said that, there was nothing they could do. I’ve contacted the licensing board. I’ve contacted some of the local agencies to include building code guy, but he said it’s nothing he can do. Lawyers in the city said they would have a conflict of interest. I contacted the big wigs at the real estate company (Keller Williams and they won’t contact me back at all). I’ve contacted the licensing board who at first said they couldn’t find supporting evidence after I sent a notarized affidavit and 26 pages of evidence. When they told me they wouldn’t be doing anything, I went out purchased a camera and submitted pictures, when they saw them the director of the board Ms. Leazenby said they would reopen the claim, that has been 3 months ago and the director of the board will not respond to my emails I don’t know what else to do.
My home need to be put on TV so the world can see how all these agencies are allowing for these contractors to build these poorly defective homes and get away with it scotch free.
I purchased my home Jul 06 as a brand new home, start having problems right away. Had not one but two inspections the builders still wouldn’t honor the warranty. I’ve been there over a year but was having problems from the first week and major since Aug 06, I contacted the builder many times. They even sent subcontractors to fix a few items which were so poorly fixed I called the builders to come and look at the work, they never have, so it’s so poorly repaired it still has gotten worse because it was poorly done. Please can anyone help me or point me in the direction of a lawyer who will work off if I win the case or at a lower rate.
Thank you,
Celoris Shaw |
Nancy Hentschel
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posted 11 October 2007 09:54 CET
Prior to 2003, and Perry homebuilder's legislationcreating the infamous Texas Residential Construction Commission -(TRCC), people had the right to sue a builder in court for faulty workmanship. If
the homeowner won, the builder had to pay triple damages, court costs, and
attorney fees. Those potential costs offered a fantastic incentive for
builders to build well and to fix problems quickly.
Under the current rules of the TRCC, it is the
homeowner who must begin claims by paying the TRCC, beginning with an
"inspection of $475." and then for arbitration, at a further cost of many
thousands. If the TRCC (who are simply other builders) thinks that the
homeowner has a claim, the very most that a builder stands to lose is the
cost of fixing a problem. However, through arbitration, only 2% of
homeowners win 100% of the cost of fixing a problem, minus inspections
costs, attorney fees, time and patience, as well as the high cost of
arbitration. Clearly, the TRCC offers absolutely NO incentive for any
builder to build well or make timely repairs.
The TRCC has paid back Perry Home Builders far more
than it cost Perry Home Builders to have Governor Perry elected, and for
creation of the TRCC. The TRCC, in the ugliest sense possible, shows what
"business friendly" government can mean.
MY LETTER TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS CONCERNING THE
TRCC:
Trendmaker used outdated, watered down, spread too
thin mortar, and spread it over building debris including mud and papers
under my tile floor. Naturally, the tile (like so many others in Katy and
Sugar Land) exploded dangerously from my floor. This type of destructive
construction is allowed under your TRCC, and arbitration does not give
builders any incentive to build differently or fix problems. Nevertheless,
there are repercussions to these crude "allowances" that are far more
consequential than my personal situation.
Clearly, first homebuyers cannot rebuild a home for
resale after it self-destructs within three years. Indeed, the tile work on
my house was quoted at $15,000. With that type of unreasonable rebuilding
cost coupled with others, it is often not financially possible for first
time homeowners to rebuild for resale. In many cases they may give it back
to the mortgage company, who must then pay to rebuild for resale.
Foreclosure is not just a lending issue!
The TRCC's green light to grossly poor construction
costs everyone, and the wealthy do no service to anyone if they accept their
poor construction and then pay for repairs out of pocket, while they allow
these same builders to prey on others who cannot afford to pay for their
builder's negligent construction.
The TRCC must be dismantled entirely so that real
incentives for decent construction (i.e. courts and triple damages) can
return. Doing this will not hurt quality builders, but it will offer
incentives for many builders to stop buying unfit materials, like cheap
outdated mortar mix that will not chemically bond, on their construction
race to the bottom.
Prior to my protest at Trendmaker's model homes, I
visited and gained valuable insight from our police department, as well as
met and spoke with Representative Charlie Howard, so my legal rights and
responsibilities were clear. In my carefully planned and researched legal
fight for justice on this serious issue, Trendmaker filed a SLAPP suit
against me, which required me to hire an attorney. Because Trendmaker never
had a case, they dropped the suit the day before our court date. This type
of legal abuse and manipulation of the courts, is illegal in most states.
Perhaps you can address this SLAPP suit issue with your colleagues?
Certainly it does not serve your constituent's interests or the interests of
free speech and common decency.
_________________________________________________
To whomever reads this:
Thanks to a fabulous attorney with Public Citizen,
I have claimed my right to protest in front of
Trendmaker's model homes in Telfair. I am there every weekend from 3pm to
6pm. If eliminating the TRCC, as well as helping me embarrass Trendmaker
into replacing their negligently (if not fraudulently) installed tile work
in my house interests you, or perhaps you have had trouble with your builder
and unfortunately signed away your right to protest in your purchase
agreement, this is your chance to make a difference with helping me hand out
fliers to potential homebuyers and anyone just visiting model homes. The
fliers (like this blog entry) explain the problems and origins of the TRCC
as well as websites for creating change. HOBB.com and HADD.com
** Rules for public protesting include #1 no sound
amplifiers, #2 no combative behavior, #3 words are important- be honest, #4
no "trespassing" - stay on the sidewalks and streets, do not block traffic.
Bring big signs (I tape mine to my car so I can easily pass out fliers) that
won't embarrass you, if your children or grandmother see you on TV.
Nancy Hentschel
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DB
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posted 9 October 2007 13:25 CET
We purchased a home in 2004 built by Brookshire homes in 1999. We have had several leaks in our pipes that dont' cause major damage, but we have had at least 6 leaks inthe past year and plumbers are telling us it is the piping used. I have exhausted my resources trying to locate a listing for Brookshire Homes in San Antonio TX. Any advise |
ann moody
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posted 8 October 2007 18:03 CET
I WILL LIKE TO FILE A COMLAINT AGENST THE REAL STATE AGENT AND THE HOME INSPECTOR .THE REAL STATE AGEN RECOMENDED ME TO THIS HOME INSPECTOR HE TOLD ME THAT I HAD 5TO6 YEAR OF LIFE ON MY ROOF AND HAS BEAN ONLY 1 YEAR THAT IBEEN IN MY HOUSE AN,MY HOUSE IS LEAKING IN 3 DIFFERENT PLACES I CALL A ROOFER HE CAME TO MY HOUSE WITH A CONTRATER AND THEY SAID THAT MY ROOF WAS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION ,THERE IS ROTTEN WOOD WICH MEANS IT BEEN LEAKING FOR OVER A YEAR . THEY HAVE PICTURES UPON REQUEST. |
Craig Winsor
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posted 8 October 2007 08:31 CET
Wareham Development continues to amaze us and we continue to post videos...
Video #3
Video #3 |
Alleyne C Paul
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posted 7 October 2007 12:27 CET
Insurance company |
Pam C
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posted 5 October 2007 22:05 CET
We contracted with Laurey Wyble Custom builder in Lansing, MI to build our home and barn. The construction began in August 2006 with the builder bulldozing many of our neighbor's trees and placing our drive on the neighbor's property despite having a survery, doing a site survey and the presence of a permanent corner iron. What an error! She said she would take responsibility for it, but then tried to charge us. Everything went downhill from that point.
Currently, we have 3 liens on our property because Laurey Wyble Custom Builder did not pay some sub contractors.
Our bay window leaks through the light fixtures in our kitchen. Our upstairs tub leaked through to the first floor. Our structural porch posts aren't attached. The floor is not level in many areas. The builder never finished the porch, deck or outside stairs. Our siding and outdoor trim is a pathetic mess. The driveway is crushed concrete embedded with rebar, broken glass and trash and in terrible shape. Subfoor is showing in areas of the home. 13 doors on the project were not hung properly or framed properly, don't close properly or rub floor. The porch is sinking and wavy and is not at all level. Soffitt material is sagging, wasps have moved in. Many materials were installed incorrectly per manufacturer representatives who we have had out to the home. Other Laurey Wyble Custom Builder mistakes too numerous to mention here!
Laurey Wyble Custom Builder needed to be on the site to supervise but failed to do so. Construction debris was left all over the property and on our deck and porch.
In addition, this Laurey Wyble advertises as a "green" builder and we feel she is anything but. We assert that it is all a marketing ploy as a truely "green" home is one that is built to last! We will be forced to use more materials and wood, etc to make this home right. Also, she never even spread grass seed or replaced any vegetation that she destroyed on the neighbor's property creating a liability for us and a huge mess.
Builder will not answer phone calls and tries to hide behind her lawyer. Those of you looking for a "green" builder in the Lansing, MI area - we advise you to look elsewhere!
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Craig Winsor
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posted 4 October 2007 13:33 CET
Displaced since August 8, 2004.
Very frustrated and have created a new video...
Wareham Development Still Sux |
Shannon McDonald
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posted 4 October 2007 09:38 CET
OUR DREAMHOME HAS TURNED INTO OUR NIGHTMARE
Not sure why the end of my complaint was made into a link. The link to view the news cast is:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=5685373 |
Shannon McDonald
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posted 4 October 2007 09:02 CET
OUR DREAMHOME HAS TURNED INTO OUR NIGHTMARE
Builder: Biltmore Homes, LLC
Development: Snowhill Preserve
Location: Durham, NC
We purchased our home in July 2006. We have fought with this builder to make repairs to no avail. We noticed several issues of concern that Biltmore said was normal settling. We contacted the Durham County Inspectors in October 2006 to take a look at our house. They found code violations under the home and insulation missing in the attic and sent Biltmore a letter to fix it. Biltmore fixed it in January 2007. The inspector came back out and said it was fixed to code and the house was structurally sound.
We were experiencing problems, such as our cathedral ceiling separating, floors sinking, wall moving away from our fireplace, humps in the hardwood floors, etc. yet this inspector said it was fine. We hired a structural engineer who inspected the house later that same day. He found structural defects and code violations. Diane Wilson covered the inspection and reported it on ABC. We called the Durham County Inspectors back to inspect the home. It was then that they found the same code violations that our engineer found, plus more. They assured us that they would send Biltmore a letter to fix the problems, and to bring their own engineer out to inspect the house. They would have 30 days to comply. (Durham County Inspectors have never followed up on these code violations. They sent Biltmore 1 letter. We have not heard from them since.)
It was at this point that we hired an attorney. Biltmore did bring their engineer in to inspect in April. He agreed with everything our engineer said, and also added that the house was not built according to the plans. But once again, Biltmore promised to fix everything. We explained to them that this home has no resale value, as it has structural defects. Tony Morin, the owner of Biltmore Homes, told us that we did not have to disclose structural problems in the home. If a home inspector saw all of the extra wood where it was repaired, we could just tell them we "beefed the house up". Our real estate agent made it clear to him that we did, by law, have to disclose structural problems, or we could be sued.
Well, that was April 2007. We did not hear from Biltmore Homes again until June 2007 after they received a demand letter from our attorney to purchase the home back or face a lawsuit. Biltmore sent us a letter declining the offer to buy it back, and wanted to know when they could start repairs. Biltmore also sent us a letter in July stating that our one year warranty was up, and they needed our punchlist to make repairs that were needed. As if they did not know what repairs did not need to be made.
We filed a lawsuit in September 2007. The case number is 07CVS5085 Durham County Superior Court. Biltmore Homes was sent the lawsuit by certified mail, and refused to sign for it. We have now had to serve the Secretary of State and publish in the weekly Wake Forest paper service on Tony Morin. Just a delay tactic.
We decided to make the public aware by posting a sign on our garage door. Diane Wilson came back and did another report. You can view it here: http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=5685373 />
We were threatened by our HOA with a lawsuit for painting the garage. They sent a letter telling us to take the sign out of our yard, it was against the covenants. When we made it clear that we did not have a sign in our yard, he then dropped the sign issue, and said we did not get permission for our paint color. There is nothing in the covenants against what we did. He then said that they received a complaint letter from a neighbor. When summons by our attorney to submit the letter, they then stated that there was no letter, but they had gotten verbal complaints. Although we could fight a lawsuit against them, and possibly win seeing as it is our first amendment right to post that on our garage, it would cost us more to do so. Sometimes you have to pick your battles, and our battle is with Biltmore Homes, not the HOA. We have since painted over our lovely garage, but not before placing magnetic signs on the back of my SUV that state exactly what was on the garage. Works out better I think. Now the sign is mobile.
I cannot speak for my neighbors, but I can say that many of them have also had a multiple problems with constant promises of getting them fixed. Many are still waiting.
I will keep you posted on the lawsuit. It is nice to find a site where there is so much support. |
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