Feeding at the Pulte trough

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fix

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The wind blew, there was a loud noise, and cracks opened up in the kitchen and bedroom ceilings and walls. This is how Pulte fixes it:
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"That's no fix at all", you say?

You're right! A house that cracks when the wind blows needs more than some OSB board and a little spackling. There's a SERIOUS problem with the framing of this house that it can't resist wind without cracking.

Needless to say, a properly designed and constructed house doesn't crack when the wind blows. A Pulte house does. (Where do you suppose that the building inspector was at the framing inspection?)

CAVEAT EMPTOR--LET THE BUYER BEWARE!
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expert

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http://www.helium.com/items/1021826-roof-framing-designs-to-resist-wind
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flooring

I just finished installing 750 sq. ft. of Pergo laminate wood flooring in my Wysteria. About 2 years ago I put Pergo flooring in the study, which is about one quarter the size of the great room, dining room, and hall that I just finished.

I’m pleased with the product—Pergo. I’m pleased with the installation (if I do say so myself). The thing that I’m not pleased with is the WAY out-of-level concrete slab that is under the flooring. There’s more “break” in the concrete slab than there is on many of the greens here.

It wasn’t until I was past the “point-of-no return” (flooring bought and carpeting removed) that I realized just how out of level that the slab is—WAY out of level—WAY beyond the manufacturer’s specs.

I followed the flooring instructions—vapor barrier on top of the slab and one quarter inch gap at the perimeter (“floating”). The finished flooring “gives” in spots. You can hear “hollow” spots when you walk over it. It looks good now. I’m hoping that it will “settle down” eventually without the seams breaking and separating. We’ll see.
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graph

magpies

green

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Pulte “GREEN”

Sick:

o From the mold in your walls caused by defective stucco

o Because your roof blew off during the hurricane and all your belongings are ruined

o Because your roof leaks

o Because your slab is cracked and your floors aren’t level

o Of the shoddy concrete work

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.o From all those dollars paid for shoddy construction, including infrastructure and common property
o For having to repair or replace it

o From the dishonesty, recklessness and arrogance

o Of being treated like a child

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stock

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http://www.dojispace.com/stock-picks/pulte-homes-stock-price-PHM.aspx

44+ in 2006.
6.2 at close yesterday.

some say it's the economy.
some say it's the housing sector.
some say it's Pulte buying Centex.
Pulte says it's "goodwill impairment". (reference below)
I say that it's "goodwill impairment" also--poor product and poor treatment of customers.


reference: http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/residential-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-home-builder-stocks-pultegroup-inc-richard-dugas-centex-corp-stephen-east-ticonderoga-securities-new-home-construction-pulte-homes-3475.php

"Pulte has now written down $1.15 billion, or 83%, of the original $1.395 billion goodwill recorded, according to Credit Suisse."
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Pulte just doesn’t get it

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No company can survive producing a shoddy product. No company can survive without their customers’ good will. You’d think that Pulte would get it, ESPECIALLY with the MORE THAN $1 BILLION that Pulte has recently written off in goodwill impairment (http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/company-news-story.aspx?storyid=201011031306dowjonesdjonline000581&title=4th-update-as-pultegroups-3q-loss-widens-co-slashes-costs). Provide a good product and take care of your customers--the keys to success. ANY company knows that--except for Pulte Homes--Pulte just doesn't get it.

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floor

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I just finished installing (myself) Pergo, laminated "wood" flooring in 750 sq. ft. of the main living area of our house. The Pergo flooring is a good product. The problem is that the concrete floor under it isn't. It isn't level--by a LOT, GREATLY exceeding Pergo tolerances.

What choice does a homeowner have with a concrete floor that is poured WAY out of level? not much. You live with the undulations, the bouncing up and down, and the hollow sound coming from flooring that doesn't touch the concrete floor below. Besides the annoyance, you hope that seams and cracks don't open up in the "wood" flooring because of the WAY out-of-level concrete slab. And, you hope that the other shoddy construction that you've discovered in your house doesn't end up costing you more $ and frustration.

Such is the way that it is with a "master builder" Pulte house.
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mortgage

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National Mortgage News reports:

Pulte May be on the Hook for $323MM in Buybacks

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

A pool of $11 billion in mortgages with recourse to the nation's largest homebuilder may not have met investor guidelines and analysts project PulteGroup may be on the hook for as much as $323 million in buybacks from secondary market investors.

http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/dailybriefing/2010_217/pulte-may-be-on-1022061-1.html
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"water intrusion"

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In a November 3, 2010 conference call, Nishu Sood, Financial Analyst for Deutsche Bank AG, asked Richard Dugas, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Pulte Group, Inc., the following question:

“I just wanted to follow up on the construction, the warranty charges. I would expect on an ongoing basis in any given quarter you’re going to have a number of claims, this is an ongoing part of the business because of the complexity of the construction process, but a charge of this size kind of implies that there was something systematic, maybe among a product line or in a region or something. I was just wondering if you could be a little more specific in terms of describing the patterns or the (inaudible) of the claims that emerged here. Just on an operating basis, so we can have a better sense of what drove such a large charge in one quarter.”

Dugas responded:

“...We did not see any specific region of the country that jumped out at us. What was unusual here was the number of claims we received in a particular quarter that was completely unforeseen. Most of them related to water intrusion issues…”

http://seekingalpha.com/article/234565-pulte-homes-ceo-discusses-q3-2010-earnings-call-transcript?part=qanda

Good question, Mr. Sood! Too bad that you didn’t get a straight answer. Dugas, however, did admit that his company, which touts itself as “Master Builder”, has WIDESPREAD problems with water intrusion (bad stucco) in their houses.

Some “Master Builder”!

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BBB

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http://austin.bbb.org/article/local-homebuilder-faces-government-action-for-alleged-deceptive-practices-23107
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the doctor is in

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"Your hostility towards Pulte Homes is actually a potty-training issue. It has NOTHING to do with the structural capacity of roof truss connections, actual depth of lagoons versus plan depth, correctly mixing and applying stucco, censorship, propaganda, etc."

SCHH Amateur Psychiatrists Club
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stucco

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Class-action possibility increases interest in Sun City stucco lawsuit

By ALLISON STICE
astice@islandpacket.com
843-706-8138

Published Saturday, October 16, 2010

Lawyers representing a Sun City Hilton Head couple suing for allegedly defective stucco work say interest in the lawsuit has increased following a state Supreme Court ruling allowing homeowners to seek class-action status.

John Chakeris of Chakeris Law Firm of Charleston, one of four lawyers handling the case, said that since the Oct. 4 decision, he has received about 20 calls from Sun City residents who want to join the more than 140 homeowners he already represents.

Before the case can move forward as a class action, a circuit court judge must certify that there is a large number of Sun City residents affected by the stucco problems. A motion seeking class-action status is pending in the court. If approved, it could apply to more than 2,500 Sun City homes, Chakeris said.

Anthony and Barbara Grazia's suit was originally filed against South Carolina State Plastering LLC, which said developer Del Webb Communities and builder Pulte Homes Inc. were responsible for some or all of the damages. That action made Webb and Pulte a part of the suit.

Lawyers representing all of the defendants have requested more time to file a rehearing before the Supreme Court to try to overturn the decisionthat allowed the homeowners to seek class-action status, according to one of their attorneys, Vic Rawl of the McNair Law Firm.

Chakeris said the stucco problem in Sun City is widespread. An engineer hired to inspect a sampling of about 250 homes found the stucco could have been improperly applied in all 2,500 homes, he said.

"People are having problems that are not being addressed and now are left to the courts," Chakeris said.

Bob Flaherty, a private home inspector who lives in Sun City, said he also has been fielding calls from residents concerned with their stucco as their five-year warranties on free repairs for water intrusion tick away.

Improperly installed stucco can cause water to seep in, damaging walls and causing mold. The problems arise when a thin sheet of tarpaper behind the stucco that's supposed to keep water out has been broken, cracked or nailed through, Flaherty said.

Flaherty has surveyed more than 50 homes with an infrared camera searching for water spots inside the walls. Of those, 13 percent have required major repairs, such as replacement of walls and siding. About 22 percent needed minor repairs.

Flaherty said his numbers could be skewed because homeowners often call when they already suspect a problem. Nonetheless, the sheer number of repairs required is "a big issue," he said.

A Del Webb statement released after the Supreme Court decision says the developer has already made repairs for isolated stucco problems. Representatives from Sun City neighborhoods where houses stucco repairs were done said homeowners have been pleased with Pulte's quick response.

"The few issues that we had were addressed immediately and repaired immediately," said Arlene Raftery, the representative for the Juniper Creek neighborhood.

Since January, Pulte has obtained 18 permits for repairs in Sun City, according to Beaufort County building codes director Arthur Cummings, although he said he did not know if all of those deal with stucco.

Cosmetic repairs don't require a permit, Cummings said.

In two or three instances, county inspectors or homeowners have contacted Cummings when Pulte didn't obtain a permit for major stucco repairs which were found while minor repairs were being made, Cummings said. In such cases, the permit fees are doubled, he said.

Read more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/10/16/1409959/class-action-possibility-increases.html#ixzz12cU3mwdH
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post

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my post on http://schhresidents.forumco.com/:

“Certain homeowners have contacted Pulte/Del Webb with questions about removing stucco from the holes in their ‘weep screeds’ at the base of their stucco-clad walls. These homeowners have notified Pulte/Del Webb representatives that certain home inspectors have told them that the holes in the weep screeds are for drainage and that the holes should not be coated with stucco. Such statements are incorrect. The stucco manufacturers for Sun City have confirmed that ‘the holes are for keying of the stucco and NOT FOR DRAINAGE.’ The stucco manufacturers further indicated that ‘finishing the accessories themselves (with stucco) is an aesthetic consideration.’”

March 26, 2008

Derek Morgan

Director Customer Relations

South Carolina Coastal Division

(NOTE: You can find Derek Morgan’s letter on this blog at http://peretired.blogspot.com/2010/06/nrc.html)

“The opinion released Monday reverses a Circuit Court ruling that struck down class-action status for a suit alleging improper stucco application, which caused water damage and rot.”

October 7, 2010

http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/10/06/1398514/state-supreme-court-sides-with.html

Y’all forget about what you hear from licensed home inspectors, licensed engineers, lawyers, SC Supreme Court, etc. Just keep believing Pulte letters, Pulte statements, TYSK emails, Sunsations, SCHH TV, NRs, CA BODs, BOD-appointed committees, etc. The "master builder" knows stucco, lagoons, roofs, etc. The "master builder" knows all things construction.

Want to buy a bridge in Brooklyn?

Why support a system that favors Pulte?

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http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/10/06/1398514/state-supreme-court-sides-with.html

State Supreme Court sides with Sun City residents seeking class-action status in stucco dispute

By ALLISON STICE
astice@islandpacket.com
843-706-8138

Published Wednesday, October 6, 2010

A state Supreme Court decision may allow Sun City Hilton Head homeowners to pursue a class-action lawsuit for alleged defective stucco work.

The opinion released Monday reverses a Circuit Court ruling that struck down class-action status for a suit alleging improper stucco application, which caused water damage and rot. A court must first certify the class before such a lawsuit can be filed. A Circuit Court hearing on that issue has not been scheduled.

The suit against South Carolina State Plastering LLC was filed three years ago by Anthony and Barbara Grazia of Sun City and alleges negligent construction on more than 2,500 homes in the gated community that "would require ... stripping the homes of the existing stucco and recladding with a properly installed stucco system," the Supreme Court's opinion reads. State Plastering filed a third-party complaint against developer Del Webb Communities Inc., builder Pulte Homes Inc. and Kephart Architects Inc.

A statement from Del Webb says a third-party engineering firm surveyed the homes and repairs already have been made "in isolated incidents where a stucco issue was present."

Representatives for Pulte did not respond Wednesday to requests for comment.

W. Jefferson Leath Jr. of Charleston-based law firm Leath, Bouch & Seekings said the four attorneys in the Grazia case collectively represent more than 140 Sun City homeowners claiming stucco defects.

"If Pulte follows their standard course, they will take some action to prolong (the lawsuit), whether it be a petition to the Supreme Court to reconsider or some other action," Leath said.

Everett Kendall of the Columbia-based firm Sweeny Wingate & Barrow, one of four lawyers representing the defendants, said they may petition for a rehearing. They may also seek clarification from the legislature on its original intent in creating the law that he lower court used to deny class-action status.

Read more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/10/06/1398514/state-supreme-court-sides-with.html#ixzz11d7Qx8uN
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from http://schhresidents.forumco.com

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"To all: The subject of this topic is: "Why support a system that favors Pulte?" Stay on topic. Answer the question.

To all of the psychoanalysts, cheap-shot artists, and arrogant people who don’t know a roof truss from roof bracing, who say that experts like John Mann, licensed engineer, and Tony Kunich, licensed inspector and builder, don’t know what they are talking about, and who question our motives: I'm turning the tables, because I'd REALLY like to know. Why do THOUSANDS of people here who Pulte has screwed (excuse the pun) support a system that favors Pulte?"
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Crooked, incompetent, or both?

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Pulte Homes substituted two nails for hurricane clips in roof truss connections for houses that they built at Sun City Hilton Head, SC between 2004 and 2007. Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement approved this substitution. Calculations show that the two-nail connection is woefully inadequate for this hurricane-prone area, where, according to the SC building code, houses must be capable of withstanding 130 mph winds. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement approved houses for occupancy with known, but uncorrected, violations of the SC building code. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

In 2007 Gary Kubic, Beaufort County Executive, ordered more than 2,700 houses built between 2004 and 2007 re-inspected. 668 needed repairs. MANY connections had NO nails, one nail, short nails, nails that missed their target, nails in split wood, etc. The report for my house (see below) reads: “Need engineer letter for conventional framing.” The inspectors told my wife that “we will be contacted…” It’s been 3 years: no letter; no contact. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

Gary Kubic promised a full report of the roof truss problems. There has been no report. Beaufort County won’t answer if the re-inspections were for the garage roof only. Beaufort County won’t answer who is responsible for approving and inspecting timber retaining walls and timber bridges. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

In 2009 private home inspectors reported finding deficient roof truss connections in new houses built by Pulte Homes and approved by the Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

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"stuck-home syndrome"

from http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/09/08/1363696/report-takes-issue-with-roof-truss.html#ixzz0zhFeMJ8s

 jersey72

(2) As discussed briefly in the report.........based on my experience with structural defects in several developments..........many owners do not want to know about defects that could result in damage only in the event of some future occurrence such as a hurricane. This position typicaly results in owner support for the builder, no matter what.........which I have termed the "stuck-home syndrome" (that may not be readily understandable unless you are over a certain age). More importantly, such owners also prefer that none of their neighboring owners should know about defects either. The usual claim is that discussion of defects....in any house........ will detract from their property value. Some even contend that it is best to let homeowners insurance pay for any damage that might occur. The extent to which such claims may have merit is for another discussion. However, this is a real problem to be considered whenever design and construction defects are discussed for an entire development.

(3) Attempting to use the legal system to obtain compensation is difficult at best.......and only useful for very major, extensive defects (even if that). Trying to explain design and construction defects to jurors.......within the realm of attorneys and judges.......is literally an exercise of "Lost In Translation".

The Island Packet has undoubtedly run into serious negative feedback from the County and builder.......as well as real estate firms........and homeowners that are customers of the paper. Even though the paper initiated and ran with the valley truss story for 3 years (and deserves credit for hanging in there)........they have apparently made the "strategic" decision to back off. Though I can understand......with the paper being a relatively small business..........their hesitancy to carry on in the face of resistance from those with power and influence..........they might consider that this story is certainly not isolated to Sun City or South Carolina. This story is part of a problem that extends throughout the nation. It is somewhat muted now duriing the housing industry downturn. However, it will surely return in full force when housing construction starts up again.

John F Mann, PE

Ray Koenig in reply to jersey72

"This position typically results in owner support for the builder, no matter what.........which I have termed the 'stuck-home syndrome' (that may not be readily understandable unless you are over a certain age). More importantly, such owners also prefer that none of their neighboring owners should know about defects either. The usual claim is that discussion of defects....in any house........ will detract from their property value."

"Support for the builder, no matter what..." You got that right! The "stuck-home syndrome" is alive and well! As you say, it's age related. As for wanting "none of their neighboring owners to know about the defects either", that too goes with age and reduced cognitive powers. Folks here need to wake up and smell the coffee.

“The Island Packet has undoubtedly run into serious negative feedback from the County and builder.......as well as real estate firms...” Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement, Pulte Homes, and real estate firms (because they are aware of the problems, and aren’t “up front” with their customers) are responsible for this mess. It’s we homeowners who should be supplying the “serious negative feedback” to them. But, that’s not happening with a retirement community that has “stuck-home syndrome” and reduced cognitive powers.

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EXPERT

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http://t.co/u6LBuJ2
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facts

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FACT: Pulte Homes controls an existing 10+ year old community with 5,000+ homes and 10,000+ residents. The 7-person community association board of directors, with 4 Pulte employees, has final say over EVERYTHING in the community.

FACT: Pulte Homes cut corners on roofs here. They eliminated hurricane clips at roof truss connections. Thousands of roofs do not meet the SC building code.

FACT: Pulte Homes cut corners on numerous storm drainage lagoons. Tops were too low and bottoms were too high. Residents are responsible for the operation and upkeep of lagoons (common property).

FACT: Through binding arbitration Pulte has been found responsible for defective stucco here and was required to pay the owner full damages plus court costs. Hundreds of other stucco cases are pending.

FACT: Numerous other defects have been discovered: a collapsed retaining wall, leaking roofs, cracked slabs, sinking houses, etc.

FACT: Pulte uses its absolute power to spread propaganda and squelch criticism through community association emails (TYSKs), Sunsations (the community's slick magazine), and SCHH TV.

FACT: Pulte controls, but residents pay the bills (through community assessments).

FACT: SCHH residents don't care.

AMAZING facts aren't they? (ESPECIALLY the LAST one!)
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liar

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http://www.yumasun.com/articles/pulte-63024-home-company.html

"In a prepared statement, John Chadwick, the southwest area president of Pulte Group, said the firm “respects the concerns of the Arizona Attorney General and commends the Office for its ongoing efforts to protect consumers throughout the home-buying process.'' He said the company always has “operated in good faith'' with both its customers and the state."

a BOLDFACED lie. Pulte tells customers that they'll get financing, and then keeps their deposits when loans don't go through. How is that "acting in good faith", Pulte?
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Why?

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Dream? I'll have to think about that one. But, the part about being fed up--you got that right! Fed up with dishonesty, recklessness, and arrogance. It's PERSONAL. Not only did Pulte and Beaufort County pull one on LOTS of people here, but they pulled one on ME too. Eliminate hurricane clips in a hurricane prone area. Dig lagoons one ft. deep when they're supposed to be 5. Cheat on stucco. Then lie about it! I've ALWAYS had a problem with those who take advantage of others, ESPECIALLY seniors--whether it's magazine subscriptions, or home improvements, or something else. Now that I am one (a senior), It's more PERSONAL.

I suspect that John Mann, PE, may have had it too (http://www.structural101.com/Valley-Trusses-Sun-City-SC.html). Pulte, Pulte's engineers, Beaufort County's Office of Building Code Enforcement, even The Island Packet. ENOUGH is ENOUGH! When you know the truth, and you're a person of integrity, there comes a point... In John's case, it may have been that John just got tired of seeing a good young inspector like Tony Kunich getting beat up in the press by people who were NOT doing the job that they were supposed to be doing. Maybe he just got tired of people spouting off about something that they don't have a CLUE about. When you know the REAL deal, it can make you crazy.

No, I don't have any interest in entering the rat race again; but, I'm NOT going to "lay down" while people take advantage of me and others. It's PERSONAL.
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on-line

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John Mann, PE, structural engineer, Belmar, NJ, has followed the roof truss connection problem at Sun City Hilton Head, SC since the story first broke in 2007 in The Island Packet. His report, analyzing design inadequacies of nail and wood screw connections is on-line at http://www.structural101.com/

click on the "valley truss report" hot link.

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a note about legal and ethical considerations:

Licensing laws in all 50 states require that individuals practicing engineering be licensed by the state. Obtaining a license requires demonstrating the necessary qualifications (e.g., an engineering degree) and experience, and passing exams (engineer in training at the end of college and engineering practice after 4 years' experience under a licensed engineer). Licenses must be renewed annually or semiannually. Besides a renewal fee, most states require continuing education.

It is technically illegal to provide engineering services, including rendering a professional engineering opinion, without a valid, active engineering license to practice in that state. This notwithstanding, I am:
* a retired civil engineer with a degree in civil engineering and 40+ years experience practicing civil engineering
* Before I retired, I held active engineering licenses in SC, GA, NC, VA, MD, DC, DE and PA
* a HOMEOWNER living in a house that I bought from Pulte/Del Webb at Sun City Hilton Head, SC

When a barber retires after 40 years' cutting hair, just because he doesn't have an active state license to cut hair, doesn't mean that he can no longer cut hair. When an engineer with an engineering degree retires, after 40 years' practice in engineering, it doesn't mean that he's no longer an engineer; it simply means that he can't practice engineering (e.g., provide engineering services, including professional opinions, for a fee) without an active engineering license.

As a retired engineer with an engineering degree, and a past career of 40+ years practicing engineering, and AS A HOMEOWNER, I have had, and will continue to have, MUCH to say about the shoddy construction at SCHH.


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thanks

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Thank you, John Mann, PE, for your report, "Evaluation of Valley Truss Connection Design for Wind Uplift Resistance", Sun City - Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC, August 17, 2010, John F. Mann, PE,
1212 Main Street, Belmar NJ 07719.

With your superior qualifications in this subject area, your 32 years' experience, and your in-depth review and analysis of design of valley truss connections in houses at SCHH, your authority as an expert in these matters is unparalleled.

Your conclusion that valley truss roof connections at SCHH are woefully under-designed should be a "wake-up" call for SCHH homeowners, Beaufort County, SC officials, ALL public officials, and the public, in general, particularly those homeowners living near the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. ALL of us look forward to your report appearing on www.structural101.com soon.

Once again, on behalf of all residents of Sun City Hilton Head and homeowners all along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, I thank you for your learned, comprehensive, and critically-important work on this subject.

Sincerely,
Ray Koenig
PE, Retired
Bluffton, SC
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John F. Mann, PE, Structural Engineer, Belmar, NJ

Pulte stock

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Stock analysts say that "despite being the largest homebuilder in the U.S. with operations in more than 50 markets, Pulte Group suffers from high cyclicality in the industry. The company also faces intense competition from the resale of existing or foreclosed homes, as well as available rental housing. Furthermore, the sub-prime mortgage crisis continues to adversely affect its sales and pricing in the homebuilding business."

Stock analysts have it wrong. The reason that Pulte stock has fallen from $45/share to less than $10/share in the last 5 years is because of its poor product. Google "Pulte shoddy" and see for yourself.

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Pulte "green" technology

another roof leak

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Subject: RE: water leak from bathroom light & ceiling
Date:8/9/2010 9:17:31 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
From: HILHeadWarrantySvc@Pulte.com
Reply To:
To: Rkoenigsc@aol.com

Dear Ms. Koenig,

The Pulte Home Protection Plan (Warranty) provides for a five(5) year warranty against water intrusion, such as roof leaks. The original close of escrow of your home was 10/15/2004, making your home well over 5 years old, and therefore no longer under warranty for this issue. You can contact any reputable roofer or handyman you wish at this point.

Sorry we could not do more for you on this issue.

Sincerely,

Sam Smith
Warranty Agent
Coastal Carolina Division


To Pulte, the “masterbuilder”:

YEARS AS A HOMEOWNER: 40
NUMBER OF HOUSES OWNED: 3
NUMBER OF ROOF LEAKS: 2 (BOTH WITHIN THE PAST 5+ YEARS)

A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE QUALITY OF A PRODUCT IS: DOES THE BUILDER STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT?

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Subject: water leak from bathroom light & ceiling
Date: 8/7/2010 11:18:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
From: Rkoenigsc@aol.com
Reply To:
To: hiltonheadservice@delwebb.com

This morning we found water on the floor and a wet ceiling surrounding our light fixture in the bathroom.

Our address is 58 Redtail Drive. Our phone #'s are: **************************.

Thanks,
Jenny Koenig
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arrogance = Pulte/Wentworth fights residents

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Sunnyside Up for July 22, 2010

Does it sometimes seem the world is upside down?

That is the case in a dispute between residents at the cul-de-sac end of Coburn Drive East and the Sun City Administration. The gist of the dispute is access from the maintenance yard to the cul-de-sac. The original plans as permitted by the county showed that permanent access to Sun City would be provided through the existing paved path leading to the golf cart path near the 14th fairway. A berm would be installed to block access to Coburn Drive. Del Webb applied for and received a temporary permit to access Coburn by leaving a portion of the berm at the cul-de-sac open. Once construction access was no longer needed, the berm would be completed. The latter was never done. Instead, the company constructed a road and eventually a gate to provide access. What they failed to do was get the necessary permits for this change in plans from the county.

The continued access quickly became a thorn in the side of the residents. All the maintenance equipment now rolled through what should have been a quiet neighborhood, but nobody was at the gate to prevent unauthorized contractor vehicles from entering. Eventually that gate was locked and things quieted down.

Then a new management company and a new Executive Director arrived. The maintenance folks convinced the executive director that access from the yard via SC 170 to Sun City was dangerous. Why it was more dangerous for employees to use SC 170 than it was for residents exiting thru the Del Webb Blvd gate is a mystery. The maintenance department offered a simple solution. Re-open the gate and allow all maintenance vehicles to get into Sun City without going out on SC 170. The residents protested and the fight was on.

The property owners submitted paperwork to the administration making their case that this access was illegal and unauthorized. They pointed out that their property values dropped considerably because the gate was there but all to no avail. Instead, the administration hired a lawyer to deal with the problem. Just consider, our administration wasted our money to pay a lawyer to fight residents with a legitimate complaint.

One of the residents also hired a lawyer and eventually paid thousands of dollars to answer the administration lawyer’s efforts to keep that gate open. Did the residents have a legitimate claim? All the paperwork said so. The county advised the administration that for every day the gate was open a fine would be issued.

Did the administration quit? Not by a long shot. They decided instead to file for a permit to make this access legal. Of course, this involved more work for their lawyer, more money out of your and my pockets.

Even correspondence from the county zoning office pointing out that the access was illegal and that residents would have to agree to a change failed to make an impression. Where does this issue stand today?

The gate remains locked. I don’t think that Pulte, and they are the successor to Del Webb, will ever construct the berm required by the original plans. The residents on Coburn Drive are out thousands of dollars for legal fees. The real irony is that these good people not only had to pay for their own lawyer but also paid for the opposing lawyer through their association fees.

It does seem that the world is upside down.


Carl Lehmann is a resident of SCHH who writes a weekly column for Bluffton Today.
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probabtion

Court of Public Opinion

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The Court of Public Opinion decides MANY matters. Unlike traditional court, in the CPO, "innocent until proven guilty", "beyond a reasonable doubt", “inadmissible evidence”, etc. don’t apply. Matters are decided based on history, experiences, impressions, etc.

Pulte Group (aka Pulte Homes, Del Webb, and Centex) and community manager Wentworth (with STRONG business ties to Pulte) have records of shoddy construction and shabby treatment of their customers. Any company, or community association, including the SCHH CA, with poor records that operate in secrecy, with gag agreements, loyalty oaths, propaganda, censorship, etc., can be expected to be viewed poorly in the CPO.
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Dishonest, reckless, and arrogant Pulte Homes

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Building code violations/roof truss connections and bracing
The building code rightfully classifies this area as the highest susceptible to hurricane damage. Houses must be designed to withstand a 130 mph wind. Pulte (on paper) substituted 2 nails for a hurricane clip in roof truss connections; but, in MANY houses MORE THAN HALF of the roof truss connections had less than 2 nails, short nails, nails that missed their target, nails in split wood, etc.

Pulte denied repeatedly that there was anything wrong with the roof truss connections. In 2007 more than 2,700 houses built between 2004 and 2007 were re-inspected; 668 needed repairs.

DISHONEST, RECKLESS, AND ARROGANT PULTE HOMES.

Building code violations/ stucco
Pulte continues to deny that there are widespread problems with stucco here. Look around. How many stucco problems have you observed? Is this just "the tip of the iceberg"? A recent story in The Island Packet tells of mold infestation because of defective stucco. It tells of a home inspector who, using infrared photography, has found excessive moisture between exterior and interior walls in several houses. The single case that has been arbitrated resulted in damages IN FULL being awarded to the homeowner.

The building code requires that building materials be mixed and applied according to manufacturer specifications. Tests ORDERED BY PULTE HOMES of samples taken from several houses here showed too much water and not enough cement. The homeowner’s attorney and their expert believe that stucco in MANY houses here was mixed and applied improperly. Derek Morgan in a “to whom it may concern” letter states that stucco weep screeds "ARE NOT FOR DRAINAGE". This is NOT TRUE.

DISHONEST, RECKLESS, AND ARROGANT PULTE HOMES.

Phase 5 lagoons
In 2005 Phase 5 residents began contacting Pulte Homes about problems with Phase 5 lagoons. Pulte steadfastly denied that there were any problems with the lagoons. As-built plans show that tops of lagoons were built as much as 2+ feet too low. In late 2008, as a result of YEARS of hard work and persistence by a few homeowners in the Aster Fields neighborhood, Pulte agreed to fix SOME of the problems. When lagoons were drained, large areas were exposed that had been excavated to only one foot deep, while the approved construction plans called for the lagoons to be 5 feet deep.

DISHONEST, RECKLESS AND ARROGANT PULTE HOMES.

There are other examples of shoddy construction here.

As homeowners, are these Things that You Should Know (TYSK)? You won’t see them in a CA TYSK email, read about them in Sunsations, or hear about them from your CA, NR, or on SCHH TV.

Who represents YOU, the homeowner?
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