read all about it (with photos): http://peretired.blogspot.com/

Sometimes I sort of wonder what you're going for with the roof truss issue. I get the problem. It seems though, that most of the owners know, the HOA knows, the county knows, and there is nothing but apathy from all of them.

As I said before, that aspect is much like the Katrina New Orleans issue. Everyone knew a hurricane would hit and flood New Orleans someday, and no one cared until about 48 hours before the hurricane hit.  All you may have is a very loud I told you so here, or do you really hope Pulte will come in a fix all those houses for the mostly apathetic owners?

True, somebody has to make builders pay for reckless behavior, and acting in general bad faith. I closely empathize with that goal. But I must add, my pursuit to that end from years of trying is not totally fulfilling. Not to say you should stop, nor will I ever stop.

Last year at this time it was thought I could be terminal from the health problems our home nightmare experience created. At least one doctor and nurse speculated I might not walk out of the hospital, after going in to ER in critical condition. And worse, I didn't much care either way at that point, as I am/was so tired of dealing with the endless aftermath a defective home brought.

As for loss, some think maybe we lost some money in making repairs, and then it was over. Not so. First we lost all our savings. Then cashed out all our retirement. We lost health insurance, then our health. We maxed out debt after all else was stripped. We couldn't live in the defective home for over 3 and 1/2 years. The losses that chained are too great to post here.

Our current course is becoming too clear. Bankruptcy, home foreclosure, a near total wipe of assets not otherwise destroyed by the homes defects, we closed our home business, and we will be forced to start a new career likely not of our choosing with impaired health the home defect caused. The life we knew will be completely dead, stolen away so the builder keeps all their profits.

When I stepped into this house thing, I was optimistic and determined, full of energy. The experience has made me feel much older, doubtful, and I lost a lot of faith in the American dream. Builder defects aren't always simply about financial losses.

I'm not saying I'm the only one, or competing for who has the worst builder. Everybody should be able to tell their story. 

Ray.  Some people are ignorant and some are wearing blinders. The people across the street from me had three or more cracks in their basement. Every time it rained, they leaked.  They called this builder. the builder told them that because they had not been replacing the dirt around the house when it settled, it caused the basement walls to crack. They, this builder told the homeowner it was homeowner neglect AND the homeowners believed them!!!  However, the builder said they would be nice and would put silicone in the cracks. These homeowners know what is going on with my house and what has happened, yet swallowed what the builder said, hook, line and sinker.  This homeowner, like myself, was told that once they fixed the cracks with silicone they didn't need to disclose it when they sold the house.  In fact every homeowner I have spoken to that has issues with their house has been told the same thing about disclosure.  Of course, we all know that it is against the law to not disclose known defects.   Now to make this long story longer, the homeowners will do nothing because they told me they want to sell the house. They don't want anyone to know they have defects, so they keep quiet.

There is also a large majority of Asian Indians living in my subdivision.  I have been told by the younger people that they are told when they come to the United States not to make waves and to stay quiet.  Therefore, these people are perfect candidates to buy this builders houses.  There are quite a few that have issues with their foundation because they visit me at my house, but won't do anything about it.

Now after saying all of that, there are very few who have the fortitude to stand up.  Those that do stand up, for the most part are on this forum, but unfortunately it is a small group.  It takes a lot to stand up to a big builder. It takes time, money, and intestinal fortitude.  It does take a toll on your mental and physical health, along with your families well being but those that believe there builders that bit the hand that feeds them should be accountable strive on.

On September 3, 2008, Pulte, Del Webb Communities, and South Carolina State Plastering, LLC, were named in 87 separate law suits filed in Beaufort County, SC by attorneys representing homeowners in Sun City Hilton Head. This is the first round of individual law suits brought against the developer and builder of Sun City Hilton Head after the Court ruled that the stucco case against the Developer cannot be handled as a class action lawsuit. It is expected that more individual lawsuits will be filed.

Estimates for removing and reapplying the stucco average $40,000 per house. For more information see http://www.suncityblufftonhomedefectclaims.com/index.asp