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A message from Janet Ahmad:
These weekly updates are intended to keep you apprised of the weekly news coverage, but more important to give encouragement and hope that you are not forgotten and that together we are making a difference.

Most of us understand first hand the issues of shoddy homebuilding and have opinions about what needs to be done to protect consumers, especially new homebuyers. So, when you read an article that you agree with or disagree, send your comments to the writer and editor’s to let them know how important the issues are to you.  Share these articles with others then send them to you elected official along with your comments. You voices are important, so please let them be heard.

Your feedback is also important to HOBB so please send me your comments as well. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )  With your help we can help you.

Janet Ahmad

Your participation is vital.
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 HOBB News Updates

Dallas Morning News Letter to the Editor by Stephanie Thompson
TRCC site is no help
Although I filed complaints against my builder and received numerous letters from state officials, including the attorney general's office and Gov. Rick Perry, stating they were forwarding my complaint to the Texas Residential Construction Commission for action, my complaint does not show up on the Web site. Texas Residential Construction Commission obviously has made a concerted effort to hide the true number of complaints filed against homebuilders? Perhaps it's something I should have expected, since TRCC is run by the homebuilders for the protection of homebuilders. Website: Destiny Home Horrors - Read more...

Georgia Passes Law to License Home Builders
Georgia to require licenses for home builders in 2008
As of Jan. 1, 2008, general contractors in Georgia must have a state license in order to build houses. The requirements are fairly stringent, but many area builders think the law is a good idea...The general contractor category also requires a minimum net worth of $150,000 and a credit line of at least $50,000. The latter requirement is aimed at preventing scenarios in which a contractor goes bankrupt and leaves a project unfinished. But it also could make it more difficult for new builders to get into the business. Read more...

Construction Litigation Law - Judge say builders warranty "A Useless Piece of Paper"
Superior Court Judge Finds New Jersey's Home Owner Warranty Program "A Useless Piece of Paper"
“I am well aware of the RWC program, the homeowner warranty program, and the election of remedies. It is set up with the specific goal in mind that there is declining coverage for the benefit of the homeowner, it declines. This is a program, even though it is distinguished by the Legislature, as a homeowner warranty, it is basically a safety net for the builder, as opposed to the homeowner.”  Read more...

Regulating Mortgage Brokers
Mortgage brokers tighten rules on loan officers
Until this month, virtually anyone could work in Washington as a loan officer for a mortgage broker — even convicted felons whose job gave them access to borrowers' most sensitive financial information.  But a new day has dawned, and it's mortgage brokers who pushed for the change. Read more...

Sounds like a New Zealand TRCC
Who'll stop the rot?
Parliament passed legislation establishing the Watertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) in 2002...Mr McQuade and the 4060 other New Zealanders who made claims to the WHRS have to pay their own legal fees and expert witness costs. Usually that costs them tens of thousands of dollars. Even if they win - either through mediation or adjudication - there are no guarantees other parties will honour obligations...Though the changes won unanimous support from parliamentarians, National's building and construction spokesman Nick Smith predicted they would make little difference. "They are minor improvements in the right direction," he said. "But the Government is fooling itself if it believes they will solve the problem." He said Dr Smith's figures showed only 7 per cent of claims made to the WHRS had been settled. Each claim had cost claimants $96,000. But the average payout was just $68,000. Read more...

Drum Major Institute for Public Policy - Tort Deform
Texas Legislative Session should be good news for builder accountability and new homebuyers
This years Texas Legislative session just may become ‘ground zero’ of heated debate that highlights the magnitude of increased shoddy homebuilding since the creation of the scandalous Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC)... The Texas legislature begins in a couple of weeks and the issues of bad building, massive builder mortgage fraud, epidemic foreclosures, abusive binding arbitration clauses and the failed state ‘builder-protection-agency,’ TRCC will be priority issues this session.  Read more...

Cold Foreclosure Attitude - Just get an extra job
More Homeowners Facing Foreclosure in 2007
Court records show home foreclosures were up more than 30 percent in 2006 -- and 2007 is starting off much the same way... And in that case, those people should really go out and get an extra job and just find a way to make those payments." Read more...

Mississippi and Louisiana Warning of Contractor Scams
Watch for scams, Gulf Coast homeowners told
Officials along the Gulf Coast are warning homeowners that they will likely face a wave of contractor scams in the coming months as they begin collecting billions of dollars in government grants to rebuild what Hurricane Katrina destroyed. Mississippi has hired six investigators to target schemes aimed at recipients. Louisiana will send out vans to warn consumers about scams and take complaints. Both states are filling the airwaves with warnings about common schemes, and regularly warn aid recipients to research contractors and put work agreements in writing. Read more...

The never ending story
Family, builder at odds over unfinished house
Bliss, his wife Mary and their three children are spending their second consecutive holiday season at his parents' home in Lenox Township because of ongoing construction woes at their house in Warren. Every corner of the house leaks," John Bliss said. "You can go in and on certain days the walls are bleeding water." The general contractor, Pinch Construction, of Richmond, acknowledges the prevailing problem is moisture that has led to mold throughout the single-story house. Read more...

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