Easley land permits draw grand jury focus
A federal grand jury wants to hear from two state environmental officials who handled permits on the Cannonsgate land project, a development in coastal Carteret County where former Gov. Mike Easley acquired a soundfront lot in 2005. The officials have been asked to appear today. Questions have swirled around the permitting process since reports in The News & Observer in May showed that real estate broker McQueen Campbell, a friend of Easley, bragged in writing that political contacts by him and the land's marketer, Gary Allen, helped secure the wastewater treatment plant permit in half the one year's time he said it should have taken.

Some NC homeowners upset with builder's sale plans
The more than 20 residents in the subdivision put up "For Sale By Owner" signs in their yards earlier this month to protest the lower prices for newer homes. Albert Mealer says he and other homeowners are trying to protect the value of their homes.

Home inspection limits scuttled
Plan to stop inspectors from suggesting repairs in their reports had support of real estate industry. State regulators on Friday reversed a decision to streamline home inspection reports, dealing a rare setback to the powerful real estate industry.The about-face followed increasingly vocal outcry from home inspectors and Gov. Mike Easley, who warned that the rule change could harm consumers.

'HOUSE IN THE WETLANDS ESTATES' SEEKS SUBDIVISION APPROVAL
condition that the Developer had NO FUTURE PLANS TO SUBDIVIDE HIS PROPERTY unless he were able to establish an ALTERNATIVE ACCESS EASEMENT...Here is precisely why the Summer Rest Road Community was so insistent that New Hanover County Code Enforcement Services Division ENFORCE the regulations and laws on the books and STOP the developer from Illegally building a bulkhead and road in the Wetlands, WITH NO PERMIT!!!!!  Of course, with the help of the County, Mr. Miller was graciously granted a permit for the bulkhead many months after construction was complete, despite the confirmation by Jonathan Graham, Director of County Code Enforcement Services (ON VIDEO TAPE!!!)  that Mr. Miller had broken the law.

Developers Worried About Building Ban
A ban on building permits for the area around the ailing Northeast Interceptor sewage line went into effect Thursday. The new restriction is the lastest addition to a moratorium that was first put in place in May of 2006 due to several major sewer spills in the area. Since then, the restricted area has grown. It's now the east side of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.

County puts freeze on NEI building permits
A decision by New Hanover County has local realtors concerned.The county began a freeze Thursday on new building permits for any construction project that sends waste to the northeast interceptor sewer line...He says the state's decision could mean an economic disaster.

Building Moratorium- Building Permits Halted in NEI 
Effective immediately, Wednesday, May 9 2007 no new building permits will be issued by New Hanover County for the areas served by the North East Interceptor sewer line. The decision to stop issuing new building permits comes following receipt of a letter to the City of Wilmington by the NC Division of Water Quality, commenting on the city’s ten point plan to rehabilitate the NEI.New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Caster, and Water and Sewer District Chairman Bill Kopp Jr., say the county’s decision to halt all new building permits shows the willingness on the county’s part to resolve the sewer issues as quickly as possible.

Carolina Journal Exclusives Easley Ends Suit, Gets House Deal
In June 1996, one year after N.C. Attorney General Mike Easley settled a lawsuit and granted exceptions to state beach-erosion laws for homeowners at Bald Head Island, the island’s developer sold Easley and his brother a new home — for at least $70,000 less than a comparable home. The Easleys’ $250,000 purchase is now valued at $1,129,270. In December 2005, the same year Easley started his second term as governor, coastal real estate developer Randy Allen sold Easley a choice waterfront lot in the Cannonsgate community in Carteret County. Public records show that Easley paid $549,880. A recorded deed of trust shows he secured a $494,000 loan from Branch Banking & Trust Company. One year later the county tax office revalued the property to $1,198,245. Allen, whom Easley appointed to the Wildlife Resources Commission earlier in 2005, has four large coastal projects under development in North Carolina.

Unlicensed Builder Convicted
Last week, we exposed Brandon Toth, who billed himself as a builder. We discovered that he is not licensed to build homes, which has left families out thousands of dollars. Many of them have only a foundation for their homes. Eyewitness News cameras caught Toth building homes, despite three stop-work notices. That is a crime, and a Wake County judge convicted Toth on Monday. He was fined $500 plus court costs. Toth was sentenced to 45 days in jail, which was suspended, and 12 months of supervised probation.

New Home Woes: Shoddy Construction - Elizabeth Leamy reporting
Complaints about home builders increased more than 50 percent in five years Two million brand new homes built a year and 90% of buyers say they are happy; but if you do the math that means that 200,000 new homeowners are not happy. Jerry Howard with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said and few as 80% of homeowners are happy. Doing the math that would mean that  as many as 400,000 new homeowners are not happy.  Consumer complaints about builders have gone up by 50% according to the Better Business Bureau.  Structurally unsound, leaking water, undersized, are examples on problems... Cross out Mandatory Binding Arbitration Clauses in the contract they deny you the right to sue your builder in a court of law.