Exposing New Home Builders

Builders Sodomize American Taxpayers for the Second Time in 20 Years Replete with Government Complicity

Can you smell the KY smoking? Is your lower back aching? Can you barely remember what happened to you? Well, let me refresh your memory…

1986 - 1995: $500 billion S&L bailout bill crafted by our elected officials that benefited fraudulent developers and lenders directly costing taxpayers approx. $153 Billion.

Does any of this sound vaguely familiar? It should; its damn near a mirror image of what is happening today with a few caveats. Here is what happened back then…

A bunch of greedy people got together and opened up a slew of S&L’s (Savings and Loans - specializes in accepting savings deposits and making mortgage loans) that were able to take in millions of dollars in government backed (FSLIC ) CD deposits and then take the same deposits (minus their capitol of course) and originate new mortgage loans with the money. Everyone involved got rich.

Then the greedy people got even greedier. The owners of these S&L’s began using the profits to make loans to their friends, relatives, and developers to fund construction projects that should never have been built. This created a building boom with no buyers. Meanwhile, all of this money being generated made it possible for kickbacks to accountants, auditors, representatives and senators on the banking committees.

Then the recession hits and the developers default on the loans causing a collapse of the construction market. Then our government comes to the rescue of the developers and S&L’s (who just got filthy rich) with our taxpayer money to bail them out.

Talk about sickening Déjà vu. Now fast forward to today…

2008 - $25 billion Builder Bailout under the guise of the “Housing Relief Bill” aka “2008 Foreclosure Prevention Act” passed by our Senate and being considered by our Congress preceded by mortgage fraud and over-development perpetrated by lending institutions and homebuilders pushing subprime garbage facilitated in shady back-room dealings.

Residential homebuilders saw the opportunity to make record profits due to the lowering of interest rates and a possible repeat of history. When the builders saw how much money the lenders were making they decided to enter and push their own mortgages; many times forcing homebuyers to use their in-house financing. Then subprime lending was just too profitable to ignore and the big homebuilders began pushing riskier loans to people who were obviously not going to be unable to repay them. All the while, building shoddily constructed new homes at a fevered pace causing the huge overhang of severely overpriced homes (by as much as 60%) in the residential housing market we are currently enjoying.

The flood of foreclosures and complaints of shoddily built homes that were sure to come are all around us driving our home values and wealth down. Yet, homebuilders and lenders have gotten rich as can be attested by the obscene compensation packages of their CEO’s and record profits.

Now, after all of this ill gotten money has been made, the homebuilders wanted to get in line to gorge again at the public trough via the first stimulus package. When they were denied the carry back tax credits that they sought the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) threatened our government officials with, “ceasing all approvals and disbursements of BUILD-PAC contributions to federal congressional candidates and their PACs until further notice.”  As a result of this apparently legal blackmail, our elected officials crafted a second version of the bill that has been stripped of actual aids to the homeowners in order to serve up the public money demanded of them by the home building lobby lest the congress and the senate lose their precious reelection money; somewhat along the lines of legal bribes that assure future blackmail if the intended demands are not met; can you say Bob Perry of Perry Homes?

If this dual “Sodomizing of the American Taxpayer” (you and me) to further enrich the wealthy has angered you as it has me, I urge you to contact your congressmen and senators and demand their accountability to the American people instead of continuing "corporate welfare" and strike out the tax credits demanded by the homebuilding industry (blackmail money) from the Housing Relief Bill / The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. And if our elected officials refuse to represent their constituents – let’s vote the sorry b**tards out of office!!

 

ERIN BROCKOVITCH CONFIRMS CONTAMINATION IN LENNAR HOME & TEXAS SUPREME COURT GRANTS DOUBLE STANDARD DECISION TO ‘BUILDER BOB’ PERRY

Erin Brockovitch has her eye on the homebuilding industry. 

Brockovich will disclose test results of high levels of contamination in the Lennar Homes Westcott community in South Carolina.  Undisclosed source say Brockovich plans on naming KB Home (KBH) a contamination case in conjunction with the Wescott lawsuit as well. Additionally, Lennar (LEN) is the subject of homeowner outrage as community leaders in Hutto Texas (See: Lennar Homeowners Unite in Hutto Texas) hold a meeting next Saturday, May 10 to address loan irregularities as well as major construction defects.  See details.

For those of you who live in other states other than Texas, it is important to pay close attention to what is happening in Texas.  Why should you become more involved and be concerned about Texas?  The reason is Bob Perry of Texas (Perry Homes) and his nationwide campaign money machine is endorsed by the building industry (NAHB) to promote Tort Reforms and Binding Mandatory Arbitration that protect builders to assure new home warranties are unenforceable. 

Case in point; the Texas Supreme Courts decision Friday, in the infamous Bob Perry vs. Robert and Jane Cull case which illustrates how builder political contributions can so profoundly influence, when the court found in favor of Perry.  The Cull's were understandably stunted at learning of the decision. The couple has come to understand under the worst possible circumstance that a new home warranty is not a warranty at all but a deceptive false sense of security, designed to end in vicious litigation, influenced by big money.

This decision sets a double standard. No where has special interest money been more powerful and evident as Texas where builders freely build substandard homes, confident they will not be held accountable.  As I have said before, “As Goes Texas So Goes the Nation.”   

Last week a stunning article by Lise Olsen of the Houston Chronicle titled “Owners stuck with flawed homes – Families' costs mount, but state, builder give scant help, files show”   The article once again reported the scandals of Bob Perry’s TRCC builder protection agency and how the agency fails homebuyers.  Be sure to read the more than 300 reader responses the first day to the article.

Help us to help you by keeping in touch. Tell your story through HOBB, to your elected officials, and write the press.  We would like to hear from you so, please take a few minutes to post your comments on the HOBB Forum.

Thank you,
Janet Ahmad, President
Home Owners for Better Building

New Report Exposes Multi-Billion Dollar Handout for Corporate Homebuilders Who Helped Cause the Housing Crash and Mortgage Crisis; Under the Foreclosure Prevention Act, Taxpayers Will Pay as Much as $33 Billion to Reward Those at Fault

This revealing report should have you up in arms contacting ALL of your representatives!!!

Washington, DC - "Corporate homebuilders – including those responsible for the mortgage and housing crisis – would receive billions of dollars in tax breaks under a provision of the Foreclosue Prevention Act currently pending in Congress, according to a report released today. The report, A Multi-Billion Dollar Bailout for Those at Fault: Corporate Homebuilders, the Housing Crash and the Mortgage Crisis, was released by LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – which   represents workers in the construction industry. Hundreds of thousands of construction workers have lost their jobs due to the housing and mortgage crisis, including 232,000 jobs lost in 2007 alone. The Foreclosure Prevention Act is being held up as a way to help struggling homeowners, and LIUNA supports many provisions of the bill. But under the bill’s little publicized 'carry-back' provision builders would get billions in tax breaks. The carry-back provision would allow homebuilders to apply losses from 2006 and 2007 as far back as five years against taxes paid on profits – a three-year extension of the current carry-back allowance – even though much of the builders' profit came from their own subprime lending and speculative over-heating of the market. According to the report, the 15 largest corporate homebuilders would receive a third of the benefit of the carry-back provision. The report  notes that the largest homebuilders made $16 billion in profits on $100 billion in revenues in 2006, much of it from a dramatic increase in subprime and high-risk lending, and from feeding speculators. The report also shows that the carry-back provision could further    decimate the housing market by providing an incentive for builders to dump existing inventory at any price, knowing they could carry back the loss. 'This bill will force American taxpayers who    are already struggling with foreclosure, job loss and shrinking retirement savings to pay again for homebuilders' reckless and unethical behavior,' LIUNA General President Terence M. O'Sullivan said. 'Corporate homebuilders are tone deaf to even ask for it and Congress should not acquiesce to it. This bill needs to be fixed so it does not cause further damage by rewarding those who helped cause the crisis and who can well fend for themselves.' The report outlines how corporate homebuilders steered more and more of their customers to subprime and high-cost mortgages through their own mortgage subsidiaries as the housing bubble grew. For example, subprime loans through the nation's fifth-largest builder, Los Angeles-based KB Home (KBH), increased 405 percent from 2005 to 2006. At the nation's second-largest builder, Miami-based Lennar (LEN), subprime loans increased 158 percent during the same time period. As the builders pushed more risky mortgages, they also fed the housing bubble with record housing starts absorbed by speculators. In major markets such as Phoenix, Las Vegas and Fort Lauderdale, one in six new homes was sold to investors, artificially inflating housing costs. 'Corporate homebuilders profited from the creation of this crisis,' O’Sullivan said. 'They should not be further rewarded with a multi-billion dollar bailout.'The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of 10 million workers who produce 5  percent of the U.S. economic output. For copies of A Multi-Billion Bailout for Those at Fault: Corporate Homebuilders, the Housing Crash and the Mortgage Crisis, and a state-by-state look at the mortgage and housing crisis impact on jobs and foreclosures, email jhay@liuna.org or call 202-942-2285.

Source: Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)
Jacob Hay, 202-942-2285
jhay@liuna.org

A shocking court decision might free builders from responsibility for home defects

Phoenix, AZ. -"...Yep, these are lousy times to be a homeowner — and it may get much worse in this state. That's thanks to a recent court decision that consumer advocates believe will dramatically weaken new homebuyers' rights. The ruling basically lets builders off the hook for construction defects, saying that unless homeowners have a contract with their builder, they can't sue him...Many homeowners simply do not have contracts with their builder. Instead, they contract with a developer — the guy who assembles the land, deals with city codes, handles sales, and hires someone else to do the actual construction. That guy, the builder, does much of the work, but he's not actually on the contract. And now that means the builder's likely off the hook...If the decision stands, advocates say, it could create a giant loophole affecting the majority of new homebuyers in Arizona — 'millions of owners,' in the words of one lawyer...'If this decision stands,' writes John F. McGuire, the lawyer arguing the case, 'Arizona will become the only state where an owner is left without a remedy while the builders who caused the construction defects walk away with no responsibility.'...As with many infill projects today, the developer was merely a limited liability company, formed specifically for the project at hand. After selling the units, the LLC essentially closed up shop. ( Under Arizona law, the individuals who form the LLC aren't personally liable for anything that goes wrong; they may have the bucks, but homeowners will never get a penny.)...To consumer advocates, the case could have a major impact. That's because, for insurance and tax purposes, few homes today are developed and built by the same entity. Even big companies, like Pulte (PHM) and KB Homes (KBH), tend to form separate LLCs for each project. Pulte Construction may have built your home, but you probably bought it from an entity like Pulte Desert Vista Bloom LLC. The court is saying that only a single entity that both builds and develops is responsible for construction flaws. And if that stands as law, why would anyone choose to both build and develop?...builders and developers often win cases by wearing down the buyer. The more roadblocks they can throw up, the more likely a homeowner is forced to abandon the fight...In an amicus brief on behalf of the Arizona Consumers Council, attorney Lisa Borowsky argues, 'If the decision of the court is left to stand, countless Arizona homeowners will surely be left with no legal recourse for damages resulting from the defective construction of their homes.' You'd think that kind of rhetoric would catch the attention of state officials. You'd be wrong. Although the appellate court decision makes it clear that homebuilder liability may be ripe for legislative debate, the Legislature has all but ignored it...Could it be because homebuilders are always among the top donors to state legislators? Or because homebuilder associations enjoy enviable popularity among politicians?"...
Published: March 13, 2008 

Question About Homebuilders “Astroturfing” - the Practice of Creating Phony Grass-Roots Organizations for Political Campaigns

I would like to share a false and insulting e-mail sent to me by Kevin Williamson, Deputy Managing Editor, National Review :

“‘I’m working on a story about ‘astroturfing,’ the practice of creating phony grass-roots organizations for political campaigns. I was pointed to your blog as an example of this. In fact, I am told that you are not a disabled veteran and may not even exist. Is there anything you can do to show that you are who you say you are? I’d be grateful for any help you could give me.’”

Here is my response to Mr. Kevin Williamson of the National Review:

"Well Mr. Williamson,
I suggest you perform your own due diligence and get back to me; then we can discuss the liar you consider to be your source of information (most likely from the homebuilding industry no doubt). I'm real all right; created by shoddy, unscrupulous homebuilders who decided to take advantage of the wrong person. Sounds more like you are trying to create an instance of 'astroturfing' than exploring the fact that the majority of homebuilders are dirtbags who have prayed upon their customers’ whether they be Republicans or Democrats! Are you gong to become party to the injustice being inflicted upon homeowners by their builders utilizing ones political orientation to further victimize these poor people? If this is the case, you are no better than the criminal homebuilders who have taken advantage of these decent hard working Americans while shamming your own political party and publication."

Does that help Mr. Williamson?!

I look forward to hearing from you and your so called source...

 

 

Homeowners Marooned in Half-Finished Housing Developments Due to Builders Over-Speculation

On behalf of a nationally syndicated reporter wishing to develop a story, I'm looking for homeowners marooned in half-finished housing developments because the builder has had trouble selling the rest of the lots; preferably where Toll Brothers (TOL) is headquartered - Pennsylvania.

If you would like to bring some national attention to the situation your developer or builder has placed you in and fit the above description, I urge you to email me at Inspector12@gmail.com. Don't hesitate. Your actions will make a difference in the struggle towards homebuilder reform and accountability.

Thank you,

Inspector12

The Proposed Drawdown of the St. Johns River is for Development Irrigation; Not just for Drinking Water the Poor Parched People of Overdeveloped Orlando were Promised by Builders!

Today, I’ll be calling attention to my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida and the surrounding counties, on down to Central Florida revealing bold greed and irresponsibility by the usual suspects; homebuilders and local governments.

An initial request to aid people in Orlando with their drinking water shortfall (brought on by rabid over-development) has revealed a ploy to get developers the water they need to irrigate lawns so they can continue to overdevelop Orlando at the expense of North East Florida residents. The next thing you know, developers will be clamoring to continue overdeveloping the Jacksonville area and we in turn will be forced to beg water to satiate our thirst from Georgia. Oh, that’s right; Atlanta is already dried up…

Here is a time line break down of the issues:

Central Fla. Officials Eye St. Johns River's Fresh Water Supply
Posted: 4:28 pm EDT September 5, 2007
Updated: 6:04 pm EDT September 5, 2007

“Many people who live along the St. Johns River wonder who would want to drink the river water. Residents in Central Florida near Orlando, where they're facing a water shortage, have the answer – ‘We do.’ Officials in Central Florida have been considering taking fresh water from the St. Johns River and a tributary near Orlando and using the water for drinking. However, some local environmentalists said they are not sure about the idea, saying taking water from the river could affect the water quality in Jacksonville…‘This is being driven by Orlando and Central Florida, and that's who is giving the marching orders. We up here better get our acts together because this is being crammed down our throats and these decisions are being made right now,’ said Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon…If the plan is approved, Central Florida could remove about 262 million gallons of water - enough water to fill 400 swimming pools - every day. The Water Management District said the water removal should not have a big impact, and that the idea is just one plan being considered.”…

Let battle over siphoning St. Johns River begin
Last modified 2/29/2008 - 6:01 pm originally created 030208

“…With a renewed interest in the river, the St. Johns River Water Management District and Central Florida then stirred up a hornets' nest with plans to withdraw up to 260 million gallons of water a day out of the river and its main tributary, the Ocklawaha . The opposition in North Florida has been fierce. How will taking that much water out of the river affect the river's health? With that much fresh water out of the river, how will salinity levels change and how will that affect fisheries and wildlife? Why doesn't Central Florida control growth that is outstripping the ability of the Floridan aquifer to provide potable water? Why aren't other sources of water considered instead of gambling with the river's health?...An additional 18-month to two-year scientific study was ordered to determine what the withdrawals would do to the river…And along comes Seminole County. It's asking the water management district for a permit to take 5.5 million gallons of water a day from the river - now, not after the study…the Jacksonville City Council, with the approval of Mayor John Peyton, authorized legal action to stop the permit. The St. Johns County Commission voted to join Jacksonville, and the Clay County Commission ordered staff to look at getting into the fray…Neil Armingeon, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, says the aggressive approach by local governments is something he has rarely seen in his career of environmental work. His organization also is likely to take legal action. The fear is that one permit will lead to another, which will lead to another.”…

City, Riverkeeper file legal action against water taking
03/05/2008

“Let the legal recourse begin. In response to a permit request by Seminole County that would allow the withdrawal of 5.5 million gallons of water a day from the St. Johns River to be used for irrigation, St. Johns Riverkeeper and the City of Jacksonville both filed administrative hearings to challenge the permit before a Tuesday deadline…In addition, St. Johns Riverkeeper officials announced Tuesday that along with filing an administrative hearing, the group had joined the Public Trust Environmental Law Institute of Florida to pursue other legal action that could potentially derail any future permits from being acted upon by the St. Johns River Water Management District until proper studies are completed…'We could not take the chance that the Governing Board would do the right thing and deny this permit,’ said Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon, referring to what would have been a March 11 agenda item on the permit by the District’s Governing Board…One potential attempt is a now-deferred bill sponsored by Council member Bill Bishop that was vetted during Monday’s Finance Committee meeting…The bill was ultimately deferred by the committee because it wasn’t also assigned to the Rules Committee…However, such an effort was applauded by Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon ‘We’re very appreciative of the City taking this step,’ said Armingeon. ‘We don’t trust the District’s science. We think it’s driven by politics.’”…

JUST SAY NO! No to Over-development! No to more over-development! No to draining the St Johns River! No to squandering our natural resources! No more poor to negligent representation!  No to builders and developers! No to mismanagement and GREED!!