Home builders' perks helped lead buyers to bust
Experts especially liked Lennar's "Everything Included" business model, which steered prospective buyers toward the company's lender, appraisers and Realtors, and away from anyone independent. Try telling that to residents of Carriage Pointe, where half the homes are in foreclosure. Lennar provided the mortgages for 162 of Carriage Pointe's 380 homes. Since 2007, at least 74 have had foreclosure actions filed against them...  In 2006, Morrison Homes took $15,000 off closing costs if buyers got their mortgage from Morrison Financial Services. M/I Homes offered a super-low 4.75 percent interest rate for people who went with its lender. And Pulte Homes told buyers "you can stop pinching" thanks to its offer of a zero down payment and no closing costs through its mortgage arm.

Nevada homebuilders deny using Chinese drywall
Lennar says its Nevada homes did not use Chinese drywall -- alleged to be the cause of a host of health problems, noxious sulfurous odors and corrosion in homes across the country, particularly newer homes in Florida. The company used the controversial Chinese-Manufactured Drywall in some 400 homes in the Sunshine State and has set aside $40 million for abatement...The lawsuit, filed Aug. 20 in U.S. District Court, seeks damages exceeding $10,000 per homeowner and class action certification. Between 3,000 and 5,000 local homeowners may be eligible for the class, said Eric Fuller, a nonattorney spokesman for the plaintiffs' La Jolla, Calif.-based Fuller Jenkins law firm. He said this is likely the valley's first Chinese drywall lawsuit, although such cases are more common in the Southeastern United States

Nevada homebuilders deny using Chinese drywall
The litigation frenzy surrounding defective Chinese drywall has hit Nevada. But some of the homebuilders and manufacturers recently named in the state's first such lawsuit say homeowners are acting out of unfounded fears. Attorneys for a group of homeowners filed a potential class action lawsuit against homebuilders in Nevada, claiming the companies installed and used the defective drywall, known as Chinese-Manufactured Drywall. The complaint names US Home Corp., Greystone Nevada LLC, Lennar Nevada, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC and Georgia-Pacific LLC.  Lennar says its Nevada homes did not use Chinese drywall -- alleged to be the cause of a host of health problems, noxious sulfurous odors and corrosion in homes across the country, particularly newer homes in Florida. The company used the controversial Chinese-Manufactured Drywall in some 400 homes in the Sunshine State and has set aside $40 million for abatement.

Lennar Signals Fleeting Builder Rally as Buyers Flee
People are the only thing missing. While construction of the 43-acre real estate project by Lennar Corp., the third- biggest U.S. homebuilder, is almost finished, a message at the information center says some homes in the development are expected to start selling early next year. The largest homebuilders are mothballing communities across the U.S., signaling they have little confidence that a market rebound is imminent. Builder shares have rallied 76 percent from the lows in November. They may fall more than 20 percent in the next four months unless home prices and property writedowns stabilize, said Anna Torma, a former Merrill Lynch & Co. analyst who tracks the industry at Soleil Securities Corp. in New York.

Chinese drywall? Call your insurance company
There is an urgent message for people who may have Chinese Drywall in their homes: Contact your insurance company right away. Wednesday night, builders from across Southwest Florida tried to get a grasp on the Chinese drywall epidemic that's spread throughout the state and beyond. Dr. David Krause is the Florida Health Department Toxicologist who has been heading up the investigation into potential health risks. 

Woman finally finds closure with home builders
Jeryl Bennett ended her 4-year battle with Lennar Homes, Inc. Jan. 21 with an agreement Bennett said she “could live with.” Bennett was dissatisfied with the home she bought brand-new from Lennar in 2004, citing structural defects and poor repairs as the main reasons. According to Bennett, having to go through Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC), the company she was required to contact about her complaints initially, was no picnic either.  Bennett said she would like to buy another home, but would have trouble trusting another builder after the issues she had with Lennar.

Update: Residents of the Contaminated Lennar Built Wescott Community in Summerville SC
Continued and new health issues have Wescott residents deeply concerned.  The residents with the help of Erin Brokovich who has been working with the Lennar homeowner for nearly two years are beginning to realize results.  Former Senior Science Policy Advisor at EPA Region 9, Matt Hagemann who also worked at the Superfund and Waste divisions will send test results from Wescott to the EPA.  One resident has confirmed contact with The Fraud Discovery Institute in San Diego as well.  More Updates soon...

Lennar Has Begun Removing Defective Chinese Drywall in Florida Homes
Over the past several months, owners of newer homes in South Florida have been complaining of drywall that smells like rotten eggs. In several cases, they have had to leave their home because the smell was so bad.  In addition to the putrid smell, many South Florida homeowners have reported problems with air conditioning and other systems that are likely related to the defective Chinese drywall.  Some spent hundreds - even thousands of dollars - to have air conditioning, pipes and wiring repaired.

Construction Consultant Agrees: Chinese Drywall Defective
Hundreds of homeowners have been plagued by odious smells and ongoing wiring, pipe, and air conditioning problems due to defective Chinese Drywall.  Worse, consumers are complaining about health problems that seem to lift when they are away from the toxic Chinese Drywall.  Health concerns include an array of respiratory problems, nosebleeds, irritated eyes, and headaches.  Of very serious concern, is the possibility that the Chinese Drywall is emitting excessive amounts of hydrogen sulfide fumes, which can cause extreme irritation, unconsciousness, and even death.