After just five years, there are calls to abolish the state agency responsible for resolving disputes between homebuilders and homeowners. That's the recommendation of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which routinely reviews all state agencies.
In the Magnolia Creek Subdivision in Leander, homes sit unfinished and the community pool has long been abandoned.
Residents are worried their home values will drop.
"So when you drive by here and you see of course the pool with weeds growing in it - nobody's going to want to buy a home here," said Curtis Almond, homeowner.
The developer and builder, American Premiere Homes, is listed as an "Active" builder registered with the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC). The TRCC is the agency that was created in 2003 to resolve disputes between homeowners and homebuilders.
However, after a state mandated review, The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission's key recommendation is to "abolish the Texas Residential Construction Commission."
"I'm frankly disappointed that the Sunset Commission said, 'Here are these issues. We don't really know how to address them, so we're going to abolish the agency,'" said Duane Waddill, TRCC executive director.
Waddill defends his agency, saying it has accomplished much since it was established in 2003.
"Builders making offers to repair homes is up over 25 percent over last year and so really things are starting to occur in the industry to really help us help consumers," he said.
"Unfortunately the TRCC has never been able to resolve any disputes between homeowners and homebuilders. That's why we need to scrap it and start over again so that we have a real reform that will protect homeowners and taxpayers in our state," said Alex Winslow of Texas Watch, a consumer advocacy group.
Both critics and supporters of the TRCC will take up the agency's future during the next legislative session.
Homeowners in Magnolia Creek say a state agency needs to be tougher with homebuilders who abandon neighborhoods like theirs.
"Just clean up the mess is one way to just summarize it. Force them to pay their bills and actually finish these things they have started," said Almond.
He and his neighbors have not yet filed complaints about their subdivision's deteriorating condition with the TRCC. They say they didn't know such conditions were under the agency's jurisdiction,
As for American Premiere, a sales representative told KVUE News that the owner is in the process of selling the remaining lots and unsold homes. The goal is to improve conditions.
Home 
