Hutto Parke residents deceived by developer
Lennar lied to its customers when selling these homes by certifying they were not built on expansive soil. The fact is not only were the buyers lied to, but HUD as well, which is a crime?...This is a question of honesty and integrity for the sake of the almighty dollar and irresponsibility development...The majority of homeowners just want Lennar to buy these homes back. They don't want to move in and out, in and out, for cosmetic repairs. They want out of these homes and move on to a city where honesty and integrity are of some importance to all - the city, the builders and the people. If Lennar buys the houses back the problem is solved.

Hutto Parke residents deceived by developer
 Tuesday, November 13, 2007 7:20 PM CST

I am very disturbed by the article “Council discusses construction issues in Hutto Parke,” (Oct. 7) that quotes Dan Mc Dowell, the chief building official as saying, communications are improving. I would politely describe that as misleading. Communications between Lennar and the homeowners are not improving.

Lennar lied to its customers when selling these homes by certifying they were not built on expansive soil. The fact is not only were the buyers lied to, but HUD as well, which is a crime? 

As far as the city educating the people about the soil, it isn't true. Articles concerning expansive soil were brought to a meeting on Oct. 7 by a homeowner, not by the city. That homeowner was me.

Regarding Councilwoman Tina Slayton, who is having similar problems with her Centex home, I wonder if Centex lied to her about the expansive soil as well?

The important issues here are that Lennar clearly lied to buyers, and why is the city now trying to downplay the seriousness of this deception? This is a question of honesty and integrity for the sake of the almighty dollar and irresponsibility development.

As for people picketing the neighborhood, what would the city expect angry homeowners to do? When a builder has to lie to people to sell their defective homes in Hutto people need to know. I dare say, that if people bought hot dogs that made them sick at a local football game there would a public outcry and the local, state and federal government would all care.

We bought homes, the largest investment any of these families will ever make, and the city now downplays the seriousness of the deception.  

My Lennar customer care representative was arrested last week and charged by the Hutto police. Not a comforting feeling to find out that a man hired by Lennar, and charged as a peeping Tom, was in every room of my home, where my three young granddaughters also live. Not only does Lennar lie, but they also put lives in danger.

The majority of homeowners just want Lennar to buy these homes back. They don't want to move in and out, in and out, for cosmetic repairs. They want out of these homes and move on to a city where honesty and integrity are of some importance to all - the city, the builders and the people. If Lennar buys the houses back the problem is solved.

Sincerely,

Sylvia Jacobson, HuttoParke Advocacy Committee

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