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Former KB Employee's Advice
CEO Bruce Karatz sheltered from the ugly truth
Found on KBHomesucks.com posted july 18, 2005 - "If you want results, here is the best way I know of: send a certified and/or registered letter to the CEO Bruce Karatz (make somebody sign for it!) If you can provide pictures, all the better. And be sure to call there every single day to follow up, 310-231-4000. Either ask for Bruce or his personal assistant. He is actually pretty unaware of things (they keep him sheltered from the ugly truth). The "local" people in whatever state you are located do not want Bruce to know there are any problems, kind of like "The Emperor's New Clothes". That is also why the locals try to pretend that the corporate office has no jurisdiction, because they don't want the heat that will come down if they are busted. How do I know this? I used to work there. The usual system of complaints is set up so that everything has to be handled at the local level (sales manager & division president have the final say). But watch what happens when the L.A. corporate office starts breathing down their necks - they usually cave in & give you what is reasonable. I have seen this happen a few times. Initially, Bruce's assistant will try to brush you off, or pretend like they can't do anything. But trust me on this - ALL paychecks for ALL employees come directly from the L.A. office, and if you become a pest, they will at least look into the problem you are having. I have seen this work for returning deposit checks.
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Ex-Secretary of HUD, KB and Contaminated Land?
San Antonio Lightning - Canal De Amor
Satire - Henry Cisneros Proudly Presents - Canal De Amor
State-of-the-art building methods allow us to erect a home in as little as two days. Foundations are optional, and require an extra three hours... So step into the future with a Cisneros custom built home. To see one of our model homes, drive south seven short miles on I-33. Turn left at EPA junction. Follow the buzzards to our beautiful new sub-division. Remember, if you pass the "danger signs" you've gone too far.   Affordable Housing At What Price? What a Dump!

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                        CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS

April 24, 2003 - KB Homes - Shoddy Building in the Housing Boom?

The industry's critics now warn that builders face a rising tide of consumer dissatisfaction. In their rush to put up new homes, some skimped on materials and labor costs, industry watchdog groups charge. "You can break into some of these new homes with a razor blade," says Robert Batcheller, a former builder who says he quit the industry last year, disgusted by some of practices he saw.
"In the past 10 years, cars have gotten safer and more reliable, and homes have gone in the opposite direction," Batcheller says. "Expect a big backlash against builders."

Sep 6 2002 Editorial: Housing debacle warrants scrutiny San Antonio Express-News The contractor for the project is Magi Realty. Its subcontractor is KB Homes, a major homebuilder that has said it will take care of the problems. .... But they were supposed to replace aging, dilapidated public housing. Given the state of things less than a year after their construction, it won't take long for the new homes to achieve that aging and dilapidated look.

Aug 30 2002 And even MORE on KB Homes! SAHA slates hearing on Mirasol Homes By Ron Wilson San Antonio Express-News Problems at the $50 million single-family-homes development were detailed Aug. 12 in a San Antonio Express-News story [Fault found with housing project] that told of houses without back doors or windows, falling cabinets, broken doors and listing porch beams and a contaminated landfill that apparently escaped the notice of planners.

Aug 30 2002 KB Homes in the news. Again. Arlington: Builder sues over explosive Woman says she found old bomb near home; suit says it was planted By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News. "Ms. Lewis, a plaintiff in one of the homeowners' lawsuits, said that before KB Home filed suit against her, company officials tried to persuade her to sign an affidavit swearing that she helped plant the bomb on Jan. 26 and that she has never found any of the practice bombs on her property or anywhere else in the subdivision. She said company officials told her that if she signed the affidavit, they would buy her $150,000 house back at about a $30,000 profit."

June 22, 2001 $10 million suit claims damage to homes from mold in Patterson   By MICHAEL MELLO BEE STAFF WRITER PATTERSON -- Eighty-six residents are suing KBHomes, alleging that shoddy construction left homes susceptible to water seepage and mold contamination......The lawsuit is being drafted one year after Heartland Ranch homeowners complained to the City Council that repairs already had dragged on for two years or more. NOTE: Yet another example for the need of a lemon law.

June 7, 2001 KBHomes Homeowners Take Complaints to Former HUD Secretary, Henry Cisneros. "According to Seaman, the company is not currently under investigation in relation to to this group of homeowner's concerns. " See Related Story:

June 1, 2001 Soggy-subdivision probe digs into approval data   By Adolfo Pesquera Express-News Business Writer   KB Home's troubled Northampton development has become the target of a federal investigation amid allegations that the developer-homebuilder may have falsified information to obtain U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approval.

June 1, 2001 Soggy-subdivision probe digs into approval data   By Adolfo Pesquera
Express-News Business Writer   KB Home's troubled Northampton development has become the target of a federal investigation amid allegations that the developer-homebuilder may have falsified information to obtain U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approval.

See Also:

June 1, 2001 Lettter to Senator Phil Gramm of Texas from the Veteran's Administration concerning the North Hampton Subdivision.

June1 2001 Letter from the TNRCC PDF Format concerning the North Hampton Subdivision to Jaent Ahmad, HomeOwners for Better Building.
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

May 26, 2001 KBHomes in the news again. Eyewitness News Wants to Know. You can see the video clip concerning a KB Honeowner in San Antonio, TX. The owner asked to invoke a Lemon Law and requested his home to be bought back. KB's statement said the situation has been resolved. Was the home bought back or repaired? We will find out. [Requires Real Media.]

May 4, 2001 Added to the KBHomes page: Lago Vista Subdivision Disclosure Statement to potential new homeowners. "You hereby agree to release Kaufman and Broad from any claims, action, causes of action, personal injury, death or property losses related to the quality of drinking water in Lago Vista."

May 1, 2001 San Antonio Lightning: Affordable Housing At What Price? By Janet Ahmad President HomeOwners for Better Building. "You agree and acknowledge that Kaufman and Broad is not responsible or liable for any environmental conditions at Lago Vista that are the result of the environmental contamination at Kelly AFB, including but not limited to the polluted groundwater. " ---Lago Vista Disclaimer.

May 1, 2001 San Antonio Lightning: (Satire) Henry Cisneros Proudly Presents
Canal De Amor. [Henry Cisneros of KBHomes] Presenting the newest in home development...an affordable, probably non-toxic, housing community for the San Antonio market!

April 22, 2001 Eroding trust. New home buyers vent frustrations at builder [KBHOMES] By Ian McCannThe Dallas Morning News. "One of the biggest problems, homeowners said, is poor customer service."

WFAA CH 8 News Dallas: KBHomes Homeowners take their complaints to the Frisco City council. The Proposed Texas Home Lemon Law is mentioned. You can view the news on April 16 and April 17at:

http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.asp?id=902102
http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.asp?id=902422

April 17, 2001 K&B in the news again in Dallas: Homeowners Speak Out Against Builder FRISCO ó Dozens of angry homeowners in Frisco are calling for the city to take action against their builder, KB Home. ... Meanwhile, a homebuyerís lemon law is being considered by state lawmakers in Austin.

April 17, 2001 Quote of the day: "Any time we get a complaint or work order from a home we address it in a timely fashion," said David Christian, with K-B Home." Homeowners Accuse Builder of Shoddy Work Reporter: Brett Shipp

April 07, 2001 Kaufman and Broad (KBhomes) homeowners shut down an open house in San Antonio using the only tool available to them. Picketing. This is called the Texas 2 by 4.

Feb 12, 2001 Added to the Kaufman Page: Prospective Homebuyers, Protesters Mix At Grand Opening   Kaufman & Broad Subdivision Scene Of Homeowner Protest (KSAT-TV San Antonio, TX

"Along with prospective buyers for the newly built houses in the city's South Side, protesters arrived to air dissatisfactions with their own Kaufman & Broad homes located elsewhere in the city. Homeowners from the Northhampton subdivision in the city's Northeast Side have filed complaints with the builder, alleging shoddy workmanship. "

Feb 10, 2001 Added a link to the Link Pageto the Federal Trade Commision complaint form. Take 5 minutes of your time and submit a complaint about your builder. This will help in the long run.

Jan 18, 2001: Posted to the the Kaufman and Broad (KB Homes) page: "Los Angeles-based Kaufman and Broad announced Wednesday it is changing its name to KB Homes. We think itís great that our company has established such trust and familiarity with our customers that they recognize us by this shorter, friendlier name," company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Karatz said recently. "The name KB Home is a warm way to reflect what we offer." Warmly reflect on the Kaufman Page.

Jan 12, 2001: Posted to the Mold and Kaufman & Broad Page: Mold Forces Families Out Of Homes. Families Demand Answers From Home Builders The Flanigans were among a group of about a dozen residents of a Kaufman & Broad housing tract in Dixon who picketed a company sales office Sunday on Christine Drive in Vacaville. They all expressed deep concerns about moisture penetration on the foundations of their Dixon homes that has led, they say, to family illnesses and damage to their $200,000-plus structures.

Dec 22, 2000 Posted AnotherNorth Hampton Subdivision draft buyout!. See Kaufman and Broad looks at buying out homeowners for background information. "K & B will purchase your home for your original purchase price and the value of the improvements listed below....."

Oct 29, 2000 North Hampton Subdivision pickets. See Kaufman and Broad looks at buying out homeowners for background information.

Oct 26, 2000 American Homebuyers Protection Act. Sponsor: Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. Prohibits a person engaged in the construction of new homes from: (1) requiring a home purchaser to enter into a mandatory arbitration agreement as a condition precedent to entering into a purchase contract; and (2) offering a home purchaser a contract which includes a mandatory arbitration agreement unless such agreement is a separate agreement.

Oct 26, 2000 Added to Builders in the News AC placement fuels hot fight [San Antonio, TX] By David Anthony Richelieu Express-News Staff Writer. The City Council is expected to resolve a dispute today over whether the stacking of air conditioning units over electric hot water heaters should be allowed to continue in new homes and apartments.

"....the city has a moral obligation to change a potentially dangerous practice, adding that it was only a matter of time before a water heater short circuit would trigger a larger fire and put people's lives at risk." Press Release HomeOwners for Better Building.

Oct 18, 2000 Added to Builders in the News Federal Trade Commission, June 1991: KAUFMAN AND BROAD HOME CORPORATION AGREES TO SETTLE FTC CHARGES BY PAYING A $595,000 CIVIL PENALTY "The Federal Trade Commission announced today that Kaufman and Broad Home Corporation (K&BHC) of Los Angeles, a homebuilder, has agreed to settle charges that it violated a 1979 FTC order by failing to make warranty repairs in a timely manner."
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Disclaimer
The information on this site and all parts of the Homeowners For Better Building site is for information purposes only. By accessing this site you agree to immediately contact Janet Ahmad to report any incorrect data or misrepresentations of facts.

HUD - History Making KB Home Fine
HUD ANNOUNCES $3.2 MILLION SETTLEMENT AGAINST KB HOME MORTGAGE COMPANY
Largest settlement in history of Mortgagee Review Board
Washington-- The Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced it has reached a $3.2 million settlement with KB Home Mortgage Company in connection with a series of alleged violations of HUD requirements. The $3.2 million is the largest amount ever collected in the 30-year history of HUD's Mortgagee Review Board (MRB), which takes administrative actions against FHA-approved lenders. Read more...

Home on the bombing range
Wednesday, 16 June 2004
Inman News - Military history still haunts development site
Unexploded bombs that may be present at the site could have the potential to injure or kill people, according to Army Corps of Engineers reports. In 1983, during the construction of a 35-acre mobile home park at the former Five Points site, work was halted when a practice bomb was discovered there. A cleanup on that site followed, and an estimated 3,000 practice bombs were recovered from that portion of the site… Other bomb types were reportedly dropped at the site including the 100-pound M38A2 practice bomb and practice versions of the M47 chemical bomb…
According to court documents, King-Lewis stated in a sworn affidavit that she was approached in 2002 by Victor Toledo, a KB Home representative who allegedly ""did attempt to coerce, bribe, induce, manipulate and persuade me to sign…false affidavits."" She also reported that Toledo ""was unquestionably clear in his attempts to harass and force my family and me into submission by the offer of financial compensation as an inducement, in exchange for my signature on a false affidavit, which would be used to give witness against Janet Ahmad in his pursuit of future criminal actions against her."