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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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rich mcinnis
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posted 5 January 2005 17:53 CET
Brooks Properties has failed in all aspects of building my home, from the initial time schedule where the home was finished 6 months late, to the quality-where I have had window, roof, door, and chimney leaks since I bought in October 2000, and the leaks continue as recently as last week when I had a window, door, and garage leak. I have had a tarp draped from the roof to the ground for one year now and he has not even attempted to resolve the leaks anymore. Because of the poor quality and response, I have picketed his new homes for sale at clearwater court 2 miles away, and because of this he filed for 2 restraining orders to keep me from picketing and talking to visitors of his new homes, and when the court dismissed for lack of evidence, he sued me twice for picketing, and is no longer responding to fix my water leaks, even though his fixes were never long term. I had no other choice but to sue this builder and have spent 50K to date to defend myself against his frivilous retraining orders and lawsuits, as well as another 50K on construction experts and attorneys to sue him for his shoddy workmanship, so buyer beware!!! The owner, Bill Brooks is just like a used car salesman, he's your best friend till the sale is done, then he doesn't know you anymore. Rich McInnis rich@odysseysys.com Seabeach Townhome President 231 Main Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 |
Kenneth
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posted 4 January 2005 20:43 CET
I'm loooking at buying a new home in San ANtonio, Texas in April 2005. I was looking at Ryland Homes, Plantation Homes or Medallion Homes. Any comments are welcomed via e-mail: buggtussell@san.rr.com |
LaNell Anderson
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posted 31 December 2004 10:25 CET
We contracted to have a custom home built 7-1-04 to be completed 12-15-04. The foundation was placed 10-23-04 and we immediately knew it was defective. Very poor workmanship was used and we ended up with about 15 items or more created by the concrete sub that were not to code. In learning the code in rarely enforced in Texas Counties I began to investigate. I was thrilled to learn of HOBB.org and this site and Janet have been very helpful. We were able to get detectives to file criminal charges against our builder yesterday and we found out we can file our own claim against our builders "builder's risk" insurance. That is our next step. The builder has collected a good sum of money from our mortgage company and the only thing he has delivered is a defective foundation. I spoke with an attorney at TRCC and found out that our home must be "substantially complete" before it would fall under the rules of the TRCC. Thanks Janet. |
JLRivera
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posted 30 December 2004 09:45 CET
My husband and I are so frustrated that we have been submitting our warranty items to Centex for 4 months straight now and they are flat out ignoring repairing the most serious items (including a leaky window that is causing damage to our walls and floor!) At first they would schedule a day to come and make the repairs and then not show up or only a few of the persons scheduled would show up and now the flat out do not even respond to your requests. Our most recent request to have the leaky window repaired is over 20 days old and not a word from Centex. And don't even get me started on their lack ability to give full disclosure on lot restrictions before they have your downpayment. Due to the headache of trying to deal with warranty issues and other flat out dishonesty - I would NEVER buy another Centex home and recommend you do not buy one either. |
ROYCE
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posted 29 December 2004 14:57 CET
I HAVE OWNED A KB HOME IN ROUNDROCK , TX FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS NOW AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS THAT CONCERN ME. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ANOTHER FELLOW WHO LIVES IN MY SUBDIVISON AND HE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND WORSE . HIS HOUSE IS 4 YEARS OLD. MY PLUMBING KNOCKS WHEN MY UP STAIRS BATHTUB IS RUNNING. ALL MY SHEET ROCK IS CRACKING ALONG CIELING AND FLOORS. A DOOR WONT SHUT . MY BACK PATIO DOOR LETS WATER IN WHEN IT RAINS AND I THINK I OBSERVED MOLD ALONG THE BASE BOARD BY MY PATIO DOOR. THE CEMENT ON MY LIMESTONE INFRONT OF THE HOUSE IS CRACKING. NOW ...I TALKED TO THE FELLOW LIVING IN MY SUBDIVISION AND HE HAS A FLOOR PLAN SIMILIAR TO MINE. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS A WINDOW THAT LEAKS MOISTURE AND THAT IS CLOSED OFF TO THE REST OF THE HOUSE IN THE ATTIC. THIS CAUSED HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR HIS FAMILY. HE SAID THAT THE WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE AND KB KNEW IT AND WOULDNT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DONT WANT TO BE HIM IN 2 YEARS. I AM ALREADY SEEING PROBLEMS SIMILIAR TO HIS AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS IN MY PREDICTAMENT. EMAIL ME AT SALSAROYCE@AUSTIN.RR.COM
OH YEAH MY UPSTAIRS FLOORS CREAK TOO LOL |
Ruth & Rex Gentry
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posted 28 December 2004 20:06 CET
Lennar promises EVERYTHING INCLUDED (We did not know that it included a CRACKED SLAB) Our Lennar sales rep. had discussed the cracked slab with our neighbors but failed to mention it to us. This crack went the entire width of our home-- our slab was literally in two pieces. We were devasted when our inspector found it (after we had been in our home 11 months). We fought with Lennar for a year and they treated us very disrespectfully but eventually repaired the damage. However, I would never recommend that anyone purchase a home without an inspector and just because a company has the word integrity in their advertising does not mean that they know what that word means. |
NDL
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posted 27 December 2004 18:23 CET
Oh wow, where could I begin?
Lets start off with.. we were approved in June or July of 2001 and were promised a new home BY Thanksgiving of 2001 as building would start in August 2001.
Our move in date was APRIL 12, 2002! I guess that was all the red flag one would need, but that whole, size for $ thing and the fun of that showroom for 2 25 year olds was overwhelming.. and blinding.
Needless to say weve had our share of problems.. the HIKE in monthly payment due to "miscalculation" of escrow- dont know HOW I havent had to forclose.. (thanks be to God ...& CitiMortgage I guess)BUT, that and the french door that has been replaced, the weather stripping that has been replaced every 4-6 months, the squeeky floors, the diagnol cracks in MOST of our walls, the funky smell in the upstairs bathroom... While all of this is a concern, I WILL SAY THAT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE people have been very good at fixing it- BUT my concern is for whats lying UNDER and INSIDE my home...
Im looking for individuals in the Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Hutto area... we are going to try to get some movement going on.
I LOVE MY HOME, dont get me wrong, but dont want to be stuck to it forever because we cant sell this forever shifting moldy SOB!!
PLEASE ALSO CHECK OUT HTTP://KBHOMESUCKS.ORG />
Round Rock ,TX |
natalie shanks
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posted 19 December 2004 15:28 CET
KB home in Round Rock.
The walls are unevenand buckle out in the mster bedroomand living romm outside wall. I have two electrical out ltes that have never worked. Rainwater floods the kitchen floor with heavy rain, through the sliding glass doors. The master bath toilet runs, I have to turn off the water after using te toilet. The kitchen sink disposal has never worked. The hot water in the laundry room have never worked. Even with brand new washer. The siding buckles in the back wall where the builder damaged the wall with a bulldozer during the building process. They "fixed" it, but, now it buckles out. The corner siding is not straight. The plaster surface is craking off the wall in the stair way. Can't get to the "attic" opening in the master bedroom because od where they cut the hole. |
Christine Bell
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posted 16 December 2004 16:47 CET
I purchased a Rehoboth Beach Home from Joseph Capano Homes www.capanohomes.com of Delaware in 2004. Between the poor building code inspections and the problems with the house I really regret buying there. Our 1/2 million dollar home was presented to us on closing day with a boarded up window (which 7 month later still has not been fixed) heat that wasn't working, a leaking window, A/C that was not hooked up, a dishwasher that drained all over the floor and down the walls, and that's only part of it. For 7 months it has been like fighting a world war to get things fixed. We had flammable plastic dryer vents, agaisnt code, others just were given a bucket of water for their dryer duct, and the immigrant mexicans were helping themselves into our homes to live there while we were away. It was pretty disgusting. We are over a barrel because by complaining, we run a risk of even slower repairs, but I don't care anymore. BEWARE. I feel I should warn others to beware. We have a pool without a chlorine system, an ugly chain link fence, etc. I bought early and expected normal. I feel ripped off big time, and helpless because the inspectors did this by passing with repeated violations that I should not have to address. Not my job. Why do they exist? |
stephanie wilson
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posted 15 December 2004 23:39 CET
My 10 year old Kaufman and Broad home in Santa Clarita has a major mold problem throughout. Apparently the concrete was either not pure or there was a crack in the moisture barrier. (It look like a leak will be ruled out.)
Please contact me if you have similar experience at K&B and know how to prevent and if you won your battle. |
Prince
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posted 14 December 2004 10:54 CET
We purchased a home from Goodman Homes. Their homes look very nice. Beware, quality is not a concern for Goodman Homes.
I was told my home is not in a flood zone. Developer did not get FEMA work done prior to Goodman selling homes. Now being forced to get flood insurance. |
Paula Lehmann
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posted 13 December 2004 13:46 CET
I purchased "newly constructed home" on September 10, 2003. Shortly after moving in, I learned and confirmed with previous buyer who had a contract on the house, that the house was flooded (water pipe broke in the upstairs bath resulting in continuous water flow for 48+ hours)." The builder did not disclose this information to me. When I inquired with the builder about this matter, I was first asked "Why do you want to know anything about it?" "Why do you want copies of repair orders and/or invoices relating to the repair of the flood damaged floor?," "I assure you everything was repaired to standards," and lastly "I'm not sure we still have the documents you are requesting."
They assured me they replaced the floor in the bath and bedroom, but they "did not." I pulled up the carpet and found a warped floor, and they had used floor leveling agent in excess of ¾." The city inspector looked at the floor and confirmed floor is warped. Also, the builder did not get new permits to do the repair work as required by the city (obviously, because there would be a paper trail).
If they are going to be dishonest about repairs made to the house, then one can only assume they did not follow flood clean-up guidelines. The water pipe that broke in the bath sprayed directly at a bedroom wall (near top of ceiling), flowed down the stairs and out the front door, as well as the garage door and to the street for at least 48+ hours. It may have been longer than that, I can only confirm 48+ hours.
What are builder disclosure laws in the State of Texas? I want the builder to buy the home back and compensate me for all improvements I have made. I am asthmatic and do not want to risk the health hazards affiliated with flood damage and improper clean-up. Also, I do not want the burden of having to disclose this to a future potential buyer - I shouldn't have to. I know I have to go through the arbitration process... any suggestions? |
Kathy Thomas
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posted 13 December 2004 13:05 CET
Drees Custom Homes - See www.DreesSucks.net for more information.
From the time we first spoke to Drees and signed a contract on our home we understood that the road connected to our front and side yard, was a neighborhood access road. Mr. Luis Tapia (Drees Sales Representative) informed us that this road was only to connect to Highway 720. As of April 2004 Highway 720 was renamed to Eldorado Parkway. On several occasions we talked to Mr. Tapia about Eldorado Parkway because we were then living in a house one block off of Highway 720, and the traffic is so bad we can’t get out of our street.
The reason we decided to buy a new home in Eldorado West, was to get out of the traffic and stay in the Little Elm school district. Also, our daughter just got her driver’s license and we would be close to the new high school and wouldn’t have to drive to school on Highway 720.
Then after just four months in our new home we get a letter, from the city that Eldorado Parkway is going to be a main Corridor from Highway 75 to Highway 35 when a toll bridge is completed. The very thing that we were trying to get away from had just been put at our front door. The fact is it has been discovered the road will carry 46,000 cars per day as estimated by the NCTCOG (North Central Texas Council of Governments) and will also allow for heavy truck traffic. It has been discovered through the Town Managers Office that Drees knew about the corridor from the inception of the subdivision via John Baker, the developer of the land and the developer of section 7 of the corridor.
The city has painted a crosswalk on the corner of our yard and installed sign’s. Now the other homeowners want a traffic light in addition to the street light & fire hydrant that already exist on the corner of our yard. We are now faced with a major intersection directly adjacent to our new home.
This will definitely have an impact on my family’s safety and well being due to the extensive amount of traffic, noise and pollution. Had Mr. Tapia disclosed Drees knowledge of this road, we would not have purchased this home.
Our foundation is moving like a train, our roof is moving, the ceiling is lifting off walls and walls are lifting off the floor. We have huge cracks throughout the house. Drees deceptive practices, along with their shoddy building practices and the highway have caused us so much unhappiness; we just want Drees to buy back our house.
Our family has been deprived of safety for our child, and caused a real burden for the resale of our home, which has left us both emotionally and financially drained. We do not want to be subjected to further discomfort or paying for mistakes that were not of our making but that of Drees Homes. Drees Homes, buy this home back! |
Chris Harden
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posted 9 December 2004 05:46 CET
My builder, Ashton Woods, began a new subdivision in McKinney and was in the middle of the first phase when we purchased a home to be built in the second phase. The sales agent told us there were to be 3 phases with each getting more expensive. Also the selling features was a hike and bike trail and new elementary school. After about half through the 2nd phase they began the third phase and brought in cheaper homes with hardy plank on the front. This goes against our deed restrictions and the homes are just boxes. Come to find out the bonds for elementary school hasn't even come up for vote to the board and the plans for the hike and bike trail are now gone. I asked the sales agent we bought our home from about the new homes and the deed restrictions and she just said" but don't you think the homes look good"? My reply" No, and they are bringing down my property values of my new home." She said that was what the market was wanting. If that is the case they should have built a new subdivisoin with these properties. They have now sold all their remaining lots in phase 2 to a cheaper builder and are pulling out because they could not sell the more expensive floor plans that would back up to the cheaper homes. What is my recourse? |
Deborah Bowlin
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posted 5 December 2004 08:37 CET
See www.dreessucks.net for more information. My website coming soon.
My family and I were being transfered to the great state of Texas. On several trips down to Texas we searched for homes, ending up in Little Elm.
We looked at a Highland home that was already finished and liked it very much. We returned to the sales office to ask questions regarding the house and the neighborhood. We specifically asked about the main road running through the neighborhood, El Dorado Parkway.
The sales representative told us that it was a neighborhood road that would give us another entrance into the neighborhood. We assumed that the representative was honest and truthful. That day we signed the contract on our new home.
We moved in July of 2003. In December of 2003 information came with our water bill that El Dorado Parkway would connect Highway I35 to the Dallas Tollway. And our neigborhood is between I35 and the tollway. This major corridor is called The Lewisville Lake Corridor Project.
This roadway is considered a highway. It is referred to as a significant thoroughfare and principal arterial. It is estimated to have between 35,000 and 45,000 cars a day in 2008 when the bridge over the Lewisville Lake is opened.
Highland Homes knew about the roadway and the purpose of it. They knew because John Baker, the developer of the subdivision, knew it. Mr. Baker built section 7 of the roadway,(the part of the road that runs through the neighborhood).
Highland Homes was deceptive and misrepresented the purpose of the roadway. They lied when we asked about El Dorado. We would have not purchased our home knowing that our children would be up against such traffic and noise and not able to access the amenity center safely.
The flow of traffic has already changed in our little town. Before the traffic went around the neighborhood and now a section of the old road has been removed, all traffic going through Little Elm comes through the middle of our neighborhood.
Leaving our amenity center of one side of El Dorado Parkway, and over 60% of the homes on the other side of El Dorado. Making it almost impossible to ride bikes or walk to the pool or playground.
Highland Homes has refused to meet with our committee of homeowners to discuss solutions to noise pollution, traffic and safety issues. Why won't they meet with us? Do you think their lawyers have something to do with that decision? Mr. Baker also refuses to meet with us along with the other builders, Landstar and Drees.
We went to the city of Little Elm for help. We asked the Town Council to call them and urge them to start a dicussion regarding solutions of our problems. Even after the Town Manager of Little Elm called they still refuse to meet with us.
Highland Homes has no regard for us, they deceived us and took our money. We are left with a house next to a highway that we can't sell. AND THEY DON'T CARE!
They took from us, our right to make informed safe decisions for our family. Do not buy a home from Highland, they are deceptive and dishonest!
Deborah
little elm, Texas
U.S.A. |
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