Newmark parent considers Ch. 11 bankruptcy
The parent of Newmark Homes, reported a loss of $617 million, or $10.43 a share, in the third quarter, up substantially from its year-earlier loss of $80 million, or $1.34 a share. The Hollywood, Fla.-based TOUSA said in a statement that based on its most recent earnings, "the company believes there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern." The company went on to say that it is considering all available in- and out-of-court restructuring and reorganization alternatives including Chapter 11.

KVUE Part II Defenders Report: Homeowners face Mike Kelly
KVUE is there while homeowners ask home builder Mike Kelly tough questions, while he is under oath.  Mike Kelly is facing a state investigation and a District Attorney could bring criminal charges against him. KVUE:View Investigative Video Report...

Homebuilder investigated for questionable business practices
In February, we first told you about an Austin home builder who was under state investigation for questionable business practices. Since then, the builder has sold all 3 of his austin subdivisions, Maravilla, Maravilla Hills, and La Ventana in Marble Falls. But, as you're about to see, Mike Kelly's history continues to follow him and it's caught the attention of authorities...In February we tracked down Mike Kelly, Maravilla’s developer. When we first approached him, he just laughed.

ABC I-Team & The Daily Herald Join Forces: Rush to Inspect
ABC7's I-Team joined forces with "The Daily Herald" to investigate the national problem- and local dilemma. The findings- cities and suburbs do not have enough inspectors to keep up with the construction projects, resulting in " Rush to Inspect" newly built homes and condos by time-challenged, short-staffed city agencies. After the I-Team began asking questions, the Chicago Building Department sent an inspection team to take another look. They noted two electrical violations, a suspicious leak in the gas and electric utility room, and low water pressure in some units.

S.A. home buyers less satisfied
In national survey, city falls from 10th to 31st. Homeowners here went from being generally thrilled last year to among the least-satisfied customers in the country this year, according to a report released Wednesday by J.D. Power and Associates. San Antonio customers reported more problems in their houses -- an average of 15.75 this year compared with 12.74 last year.  Nationally, though, the quality of home building improved. Typical home buyers found 14 problems with their home,..The country's happiest home buyers were in Minneapolis, where people reported an average of seven problems per home.  Gordon Hartman ranked last in customer satisfaction.

Cities have little say on Barnett Shale pipelines
Butler and his neighbors have a host of questions about the pipeline: What if it leaks? What will it do to property values?...In some places, such as the rapidly growing areas of far north Fort Worth, neighborhoods are being built on top of existing pipelines. Two pipelines run under the campus of Keller Central High School, which opened in 2003. The same lines run across the as-yet-undeveloped Vineyards at Heritage Park...Davis said the city needs to act because the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees pipelines in Texas, has dropped the ball on safety. She mentioned a report last month in The Dallas Morning News that the commission watered down a report on defective gas pipe couplings that were involved in several fatal explosions.

Local 2 Investigates Uncovers Heating, Air Workers Avoiding Background Checks
Violent felons, ex-prisoners and other criminals are finding work as heating and air-conditioning contractors, thanks to a loophole uncovered by Local 2 Investigates.An ex-convict who had just finished serving a 35-year prison term was caught by Local 2 Investigates' hidden cameras, buying crack cocaine from what Houston police describe as a heavily armed gang. He was driving an air-conditioning repair truck, in between house calls for a Houston company.

Home builders mothball projects
As troubles rise, major several Sacramento-area builders are shutting down. Pardee Homes has halted its planned 660-home Natomas project, but has $200 million invested in the region and has future plans.

Janet Ahmad, HOBB President Testimony on Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing promotions promised hope and opportunity for the American Dream to families for a brighter future.  Unfortunately, the ever-opportunistic building industry saw it as a promise for mega profits that has left a landscape of decline in home quality and values throughout new communities due to shoddy construction and widespread mortgage schemes that ensnared naive buyers... Before launching anymore affordable housing programs, members of this subcommittee should consider the unprecedented failed federally funded public housing programs, failures to build homes that will last, and the abuses of sub-prime, zero-down payment assistance scams...The economy that thrived through frequent greed of selling affordable houses, no matter the price, now threatens our entire economy.