Collateral damage remains after fall
SonRise Homes Inc. went from the largest builder based in Genesee County to a company in shambles. Its collapse has affected other businesses and home buyers, and left many looking for answers. Robin Hosler says the downfall of SonRise Homes has resulted in the worst 12 months of his life. Hosler bought a SonRise home in the Cross Creek subdivision in Burton in June. Since then, he's been living a nightmare as he watched the developer collapse, and subcontractors put liens on his home, all while he's struggled with his health and making two mortgage payments that exceed his monthly income.

Collateral damage remains after fall

Editor's note: SonRise Homes Inc. went from the largest builder based in Genesee County to a company in shambles. Its collapse has affected other businesses and home buyers, and left many looking for answers.

Robin Hosler says the downfall of SonRise Homes has resulted in the worst 12 months of his life.

Hosler bought a SonRise home in the Cross Creek subdivision in Burton in June. Since then, he's been living a nightmare as he watched the developer collapse, and subcontractors put liens on his home, all while he's struggled with his health and making two mortgage payments that exceed his monthly income.

"Half of my 401(k) is gone. I had $80,000 when I retired and I got $40,000 left," said Hosler, 60. "I've been to a cardiac specialist. I sat in the doctor's office one day and watched my blood pressure climb to 190.

"Last night, I couldn't get to sleep until 3 o'clock in the morning. I take a generic form of Valium to help me get to sleep.

"I got to admit it's the worst year in my entire life, and it probably will be until I die."

Hosler isn't alone. Dozens of homeowners and prospective home buyers have been stung by the collapse of SonRise Homes in October.

In three years, SonRise built itself into the largest home builder based in Genesee County, but in October, the company became a victim of its own success after it was unable to pay its subcontractors, and hundreds of liens were filed against SonRise properties.

Construction in the seven SonRise developments in Genesee and Oakland counties came to an abrupt halt.

Now, as SonRise and its many subcontractors hash things out in court, Hosler is left trying to piece back together his life.

When Hosler bought his Burton home in June, he had another home in Davison Township on which he still had a mortgage.

But he said he was assured by officials with the mortgage division of SonRise that he could get a bridge loan that would allow him to move into the new house while trying to sell the old house.

But when it came to signing on the dotted line, the monthly payment figures were much higher than Hosler said he was promised. SonRise officials either declined comment or could not be reached for comment for this article.

Hosler said it was implied he would be sued if he didn't close on the SonRise home, so he reluctantly did so. Plus, he already had several thousands of dollars invested in upgrades and personal work on the home.

Now he owns two homes, and has both for sale. But in the sluggish housing market, he's seen little interest. He also must resolve the liens on his SonRise home in Burton before a sale can occur.

The two monthly mortgage payments total $4,400 ($2,200 on each home) - too much for the retired salesman.

"I was originally supposed to have to pay $400-$500 a month until my house sold," Hosler said. "They didn't tell me until after the house was completed that they were changing the mortgage program to $2,200 a month in interest.

"You can't begin to say the impact when you have two mortgages that exceed your income. At the closing, I asked (SonRise owner Anthony Hanson) how do you think I'm going to survive and live when this exceeds my income? There was no response at all."

The ordeal has put Hosler's plans to help his wife, who is ill, on hold. He said his wife, Malee Hosler, a native of Thailand, has diabetes and a surgically repaired back.

To afford the annual trips to Thailand, they had plans to sell their $479,000 Davison home and scale down by living in the smaller and less expensive SonRise home.

Instead of talking with travel agents, Hosler said he is now talking with attorneys in determining whether to file a lawsuit or seek criminal charges.

"It's destroyed our dream," Hosler said.

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