hydepark

I was a member of BBB last year. I haven't resigned up with them this year because I didn't get anything out of it. Probably my fault since I didn't really work the BBB angle. Now I have attorneys telling me I'm giving up way to much by being in the BBB? If I were a little bigger and could get REAL value out of the BBB then I would think it would be a great marketing tool that you could use to educate buyers about why the BBB is important in regards to homebuilders.

Many of the larger builders are leaving the BBB becasue they are bound to arbitrate there, BBB is free for the first day. AAA arbitration is so costly the little guy can't afford it, so they can't participate and that is what the big builders count on. They also do not own the arbitrators in BBB. In AAA they are the repeat clients and AAA makes a lot of money off them. The little guy is not going to be able to buy another house after AAA and the big builders get though with them. They come out in bankrupcy,foreclosure and ususally under secrecety aggreements,gag orders.

OK. Here we go! Texas Govenor's Race 2006! At the gate:

Position 1. Rep. Govenor Rick Perry

Position 2. Rep./I. Comptroller Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn

Position 3. Dem. Chris Be...oh hell, never mind-dems are so yesterday.

Step up and place your bets! Will it be Govenor Good Hair by a nose or that twice divorced and 3 times married and counting familiy values gal Carloe K Mc R Strayhorn to take the roses? I'm betting on Ricky because only a skank like CKMcRS would allow some slime-under-the-rock political hack to smear him with sexual inuendo.

But hey, what does this old time Liberal know what goes on behind those shady closed doors we all have come to know and love as the Republican Party? [Maybe I need to get a lobbyist?]

I do not mean to insult anyone's intelligence... but for if Kinky or Strayhorn to get on the ballot at all...you DO NOt vote in either state party's primary on Tuesday March the 7th..or in the runoff on Tuesday april 11,2006. YOU CAN NOt sign the offical petition if you are not a registered voter OR if you voted in the primaries. The state elecction will throw it out and neither of these canidates will get on the ballot. Petitions will be circulating durning March.

I personally would like to have a choice. I would like to have a choice other than the paper or plastic offered by the Domocracts or the republicans. I would vote foranyone to keep Perry out of office again. I am sick of politics as usual and when I see him hit the campagin trail with Delay in tow I get ill. We need choices and they will have to be carefully weighed and studied... the future of Texas is in our hands and I hope we can calmly and with great though pick the best for Texas and it's citizens.

...

Before permits are issued it might be nice to see who is appling for them and look into their past performance.

In my opinion, most of City Council has to be getting some kickbacks. After seeing Michael Berry's smugness on TV about it as if we are all just stupid citizens and don't know anything, I was very happy to see Shelly Sekula-Gibbs and Addie Wiseman stand up and question the entire Safe-Tow program regardless of their party affiliation.

Sekula -Gibbs is still tying to refer homeowners with defective dwellings to TRCC. Obviouldy she knows nothing about the agency. It is under investigation and is a buracracy set up by the builders, owned by the builders and written by the builders. It has helped no one and levied only one fine in it's 800 complaints. I wish she would look in to the agencies she is recommending homeowners go to for help or justice. It is a catch all to deferr the complaints that come before the council. It is an absurd recommendation that the public is going to get any help there. I thought she was smarter than that or was it just an attempt to deferr and get people out of in front of the cameras so she didn't have to deal with them, and looked like she had some answers ....which she clearly did not. TRCC serves no purpose other than to make money for the stae coffersc and cost the consumer time, money and flustration...the process gets consumers nothing except in AAA.... and it has done that. TRCC allows builders to circumvent the laws of this state.

The TIRZ for public works projects help is getting things done faster. The water line along post oak was not a high priority for the city. So the increase in property tax to the TIRZ members in the Uptown area will be used to pay for the upgrades.

The TIRZ is used where business leaders or wanting improvements that the city will not get around too. The projects are financed over time (hence 30 years of existence).

Could it be abused? Sure. Has it? Probably.

Also, the TIRZ can't enforce any type of zoning since that will trample on the jurisdiction of the planning commission. Also, the people of Houston have to vote to enact zoning. Everytime its been brought up has been shot down.

Casimiro got his share of TRIZ money in 2003 and ask for nearly a quarter of a million 2 weeks ago at the agenda metting.The Mayor pulled the item # 30, way to go Mayor White.

nmain: look on HOBB.org ...Powers gave top rating to K&B homes after all the fines the courts suits filed against them..there is an article about Powers ratings.

A good builder belongs to the Better Business Bureau. I wish we could compile a list of quality, ethical builders and promote them. Quality homebuilders do not have to make excuses. They also stand behind their word and their work. They care.They are proud of the houses they build... and the owners are proud of the homes they bought.

story in the Chronicle today about a builder who is barred from further city projects

INCOMPTENCE IN CITY CONTRACTS

>>>

If you archive the houston chronicle for 2/14/02 Kim Canon .....Jorge Casimiro and Tom Thibodeau as Stature construction did the same sort of thing to the city of bunkerhill police station. It had $120,000 dollars worth of mold remediation and the project was 7 months behind. The city fired them... so they just change the name to University Development and are back at the city coffers once again trying to get this city to enter into more contracts with them. The city has a bond company to protect them from this sort of incompetence... we the public have no one.

University development got appropriated 1.3 million in 2003 and they were back at the agenda meeting 2 weeks ago trying to get another $500,000 (for a subdivision called southway), from afforable housing and the water and sewer fund. There is a woman named Hilda Delgado that is the President of this company. Whose job is it to investigate the companies the city does business with? Who ever it is they have let this city down miserably.

Thank you Mayor White and Councilwoman Ada Edwards for pulling this appropriation from the agenda and trying to do the right thing. It is refeshing to see our officals in action, not just saying what they are going to do. I judge them by their actions and they proved they care what happens to this city and I was very proud of them both

The papers should have applaued them, they deserved our thanks for stopping this "shuck and jive" corporate umbrella, these people hiding under different companies to avoid responsibility.

I want to know who gets all this money? Don't you? They will be back how will we know next time what the name of the new company will be ? Watch the agendas for the city meetings and try to help and watch out for these people.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. All this hoopla over prayer in school...........I think it's parents abdicating responsibility for teaching their children what they should learn at home. If parents want the kids to start the day with prayer, have a family prayer before the kids leave for school. Any gathering that's school related, a moment of silent reflection is fine. But don't push a diety. My tax dollars should not be spent on preaching. There. I feel better now.

My hope is that people will not split their votes and we get stuck with Perry again. That would be horrible.

Wednesday two weeks ago, Perry kicked off his campaign...what better place than the Greater Houston Area Homebuilders Ass. ... who else was there, but our smiling and waving Tom Delay. Now did the Governor kick off his campaign there:

a.

because the TRCC( Texas Residential Construction Commission) is being investigated and he wanted to reassure his largest supporters or

b.

was it just to get more money from the builders and their backing to reasure himself he had the power in this state to be re-elected.

If you go to www.hobb.org there are numerous articles from around the state in reference to this investigation. They are all must reads and speak volumes for the lack of concern for consumers in this state.

Please read and become informed.Buyer Beware...

The investigation of the TRCC is extremely important, not only to those owning defective homes but to those considering purchasing new homes. Most Texans are unaware of the new laws and how adversely they will be effected. Most are not aware that... in their earnest money contracts, and purchase agreements they are giving up their seventh amendment rights. They have no right to sue the builder... Add in the TRCC and homeowners find themelves in an intolerable situation.

Chapa's sentencing is now Jan. 20th at 10:30AM in Judge Ellison's court. As Chapa has plead guilty, he most likely will serve time... any other thoughts?

NORMAN CHAPAChapa's sentencing has now been put off to March 20,2006. I am sure if I was convicted, I could just keep putting off my going to jail.

Who's on first?

How much money has been appropriated from city of Houston funds,

to University/Tremont /Stature construction/ Simon Homes/ Carlisle Homes, ect.....ect...ect....

Whose responsibility is it to find out who these monies are actually going to..and why they need so many different identities?

How can University Development get appropriated money, when it's CEO is Jorge Casimiro,

Yet the President, Vice President and Director are listed as one Hilda Delgado (Casimior's name does not appear with the Texas Comprollers office as an officer of said company)

Yet

Hilda Delgado's address is listed, with the texas comptoller as 3311 Yupon and that is actuallyTremont Towers another of Casimiro's fiascos' address?

Then we have Tremont Plaza Inc. address 1115 Oxford St.

Regsitered agent Hilda M. Casimro ....address 1115 Oxford St?

President and director of Tremont Plaza is Hilda M. Casimiro address 3311 Yupon?

Yet, Hilda Delgado has a new business address. it is 550 westcott. That is across the street from Knox Street, another Casimiro develpment with known defects.... see Houstonsnitch for pictures and history..

HCAD has Ms. Hilda Delgado living at 1115 Oxford?

Who is this woman?

Why is the city giving her money from afforable housing, TRIZ, and water and sewer funds?

Ms. Delgado is also listed as President and director of Rodriguez Investment Development Corporation, also listed at... Tremont Towers address 3311 Yupon?

What are her qualifications? How old is she?

Why is Norman Chapa, convicted of federal charges, the registered agent for University Development, Rodriguez Investment, Tremont Homes, Tremont Homes Texas LLC?

.

"AGENDA - COUNCIL MEETING - WEDNESDAY - JANUARY 18, 2006 - 9:00 A. M.

COUNCIL CHAMBER - SECOND FLOOR - CITY HALL

901 BAGBY - HOUSTON, TEXAS"....

"30. ORDINANCE appropriating $264,695.15 out of Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund and $255,000.00 out of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Affordable Housing Fund; approving and authorizing Developer Participation Contract between the City of Houston and UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT, INC for Construction of Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Lines to serve Section Six of the Southway Subdivision, CIP S-0800-13-03 & R-0800-13-03 - DISTRICT E

My wife and I are looking to buy a piece of property close to the Heights area but south of I-10 to build house/townhomes for ourself and her parents . However, we have not done a whole lot of research on the area, the cost of building such projects, what to watch out for, or which buider should we contact, etc etc. Is there any good resource that someone can point out to us with regard to what we want to do. Thanks in advance

Please go to HOBB.org and learn what the arbitration clause in a new home contract means and how much it can cost you. Also, go to the same webpage to find out about builder warrenties. I hope I have helped you.

Does anyone know how much corporations pay JD Powers for their endorsements? I've gone to their website in addition to their parent company's web site http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/ NYSE/MHP but I can't figure out what rate they charge for a product endorsement. I've always been curious about Powers and how they have evolved into a company whose endorsements are unquestioned as being un-biased. It would be interesting if anyone had any knowledge about them.

nmain: look on HOBB.org ...Powers gave top rating to K&B homes after all the fines the courts suits filed against them..there is an article about Powers ratings.

I think Hokieone is on to something. There are a lot of complaints about a lot of builders, and when you're a huge builder like a Perry or whatever you're going to statistically have more complaints. In a perfect world it wouldn't happen, but it does.

The house I lived in as a teen was a total piece of crap, but it wasn't designed and built by a chain, it was designed and built by an architect for himself. Since he never anticiptated anyone else living in it, he half-assed everything. Light switches in one room that controlled outlets in other rooms, huge gaps in the window casements, no insulation in the attic at all, and probably a lot of thing I never knew about.

In large part, it comes down to the pride of the builder. The last two places I've lived were just a couple of blocks from each other. One was a 1930's building rehabbed in 2003. The other was a new building built in 2005. You can totally tell that the people who worked on the 2005 building took a lot more pride in what they were doing than the other building. In the 2003 rehab I found garbage (empty cigarette packs, empty tape dispensers, rags) in the walls and even in the empty space below the air conditioning unit. The electrical sockets were overtightened and cracked. There was something under the carpet in the living room I never identified, the laminate on the kitchen counter peeled off in six months, and just a few weeks after moving in a fire standpipe exploded a few floors above me, flooding my apartment (I never thought to buy flood insurance since I was on the 25th floor). In the 2005 place, everything is perfect. And I mean absolutely perfect. Even all of the screws in the light switches and outlets face the same direction. The builders have even been back twice to make minor repairs to things that weren't yet broken, but they thought might break before their time. Again, I think a lot of it depends on how much pride and money people have in their work.

PRIDE, Amen

One builder in particular has numerous companies and entities......it is Stature Construction

Company, University Development, Tremont Homes, Tremont Custom Homes, Tremont Custom

Construction, Tremont Tower Condomium Ass., Terrace Tower, Northbough Village Neighborhood

Association,Inc, (this one lists as director, Norman Chapa who was convicted of felony charges convicted

awaiting sentencing), and Carlisle Homes. They have about 25 other names they go by, to take advantage

of homebuyers. You can pull all this information up on the Texas Comptrollers Web page. It is the same

people over and over, occasionally even the poor old mother's name appears.

Houston has the poster Child for bad building

One builder in particular has numerous companies and entities......it is Stature Construction

Company, University Development, Tremont Homes, Tremont Custom Homes, Tremont Custom

Construction, Tremont Tower Condomium Ass., Terrace Tower, Northbough Village Neighborhood

Association,Inc, (this one lists as director, Norman Chapa who was convicted of felony charges convicted

awaiting sentencing), and Carlisle Homes. They have about 25 other names they go by, to take advantage

of homebuyers. You can pull all this information up on the Texas Comptrollers Web page. It is the same

people over and over, occasionally even the poor old mother's name appears.

Houston has the poster Child for bad building

One builder in particular has numerous companies and entities......it is Stature Construction

Company, University Development, Tremont Homes, Tremont Custom Homes, Tremont Custom

Construction, Tremont Tower Condomium Ass., Terrace Tower, Northbough Village Neighborhood

Association,Inc, (this one lists as director, Norman Chapa who was convicted of felony charges convicted

awaiting sentencing), and Carlisle Homes. They have about 25 other names they go by, to take advantage

of homebuyers. You can pull all this information up on the Texas Comptrollers Web page. It is the same

people over and over, occasionally even the poor old mother's name appears.

Houston has the poster Child for bad building

P.S.

A good builder is someone who who builds a home he is proud of, one that someday might make the historical register.

Two of my best friends own a luxury building company and what sets them apart from others is that they are less worried about expanding the profit margin as they are making sure the client gets EXACTLY what they want and making sure that whatever their name goes on is as perfect as possible. In the volume they build, they rely on word of mouth and every single one of their customers would gladly meet with a prospect and give them rave reviews.

Where gross builders go wrong is that they don't build for people, they build for profit. Profit isn't bad, but they are to a point where pissing of 15% of their customers doesn't mean anything because the other 85% either doesn't care or doesn't know. That, and they can afford billboards and commercials where as the people who get screwed, can't.

This isn't exclusive to gross builders of course. There are many low volume companies that simply build for as cheap as possible, sell for as much as possible and then move on. You'd be surprised how many builders have had to start NEW companies and fold the old ones just to keep going.

Amedeuz,

Sadly, I have found no one cares about this topic, until it falls on their door step.

FYI

There was a great article in the Houston Chronicle on 11/25/05 about the builders getting out of the Better Business Bureau... they do not want you to have a place to check on them AT ALL. The article also explained what the bad builders are doing here in Houston. It is a very well written article by Purva Pattel.

The same topic was also covered on the Defenders on channel 11, the 10 oclock news on Tuesday. The National President of the Homebuyers for Better Building was on the show, as well as the TRCC director who said the TRCC had failed the consumer.

The Novemeber issue of Texas Monthy all so lists the rights... you know longer have.

Unfortunatly, no one seems to read these, listen or want to be informed. They do not understand they could be next. Most are not even familiar with the new laws in Texas.

Our elected officals know exactly what is going on and by turning a blind eye they condone it. Our elected officals also accept the very large donations from the builders.

You can view this information at Hobb.org.

I feal your pain...

I've finally found a forum in which to vent about a builder. Do NOT EVER buy a home from Lovett Homes!! Do not be fooled by their product. Granted they build a nice home, but their customer service absolutely sucks. All Frank Liu cares about is making money...period. We bought a home pre-construction from them in the museum district. After waiting 6+ months, lo and behold my wife and I discovered 4 12-foot tall utility meters about 6 ft from the back of our house. Now the back of our house, as in many patio homes, is facing the street so these meters present a tremendous eyesore. We were never informed that these meters would be placed there nor were we ever given a detailed survey of the development. Perhaps we should've known better and asked for a survey, but the sales lady actually recommended our lot to us. At any rate, I've never been treated so disgracefully in my life. Even during construction of the house, the sales lady was rude, impatient, and never aimed to please us. Now we are trying to terminate and get our earnest money back. After some inquiries we discovered that Lovett has been involved in a lot of litigation and basically treats any customer who is dissatisified like piece of dung. Once you sign that sales contract and they have your money, they pretty much say "screw you, now we have your money." So what makes a good builder? My answer: customer service! Listening to the buyer and at least trying to accomodate your needs. So learn from my mistake and no not give Frank Liu any of your business!!

Hello Haif, my wife and I were considering going to Dubai in the next coming months(March most likely). My question is, would it be safe for two African-Americans to travel to Dubai right now. Thanks.

I just spent two weeks there, it is a beautiful. I met a lovely couple from Nigeria. The husband was working on a project there for three months. No one seemed to bother anyone. Out on the beach are the beautiful highrises, the water is pale green, the pools are chilled, the food is great. Things are expensive... and the traffic right now, because of all the construction is worse than Houston, don't drive it is not worth it.. Stay near where you play, so you don't have to deal with the traffic...and don't miss the night Desert Camel rides, the sun goling down over the dunes is majical. If you dress appropriately you can go into the churches there. One of the Churches has a group of Muslems that will sit and let you just ask questions. The UAE is very forward thinking.....People from all over the world will be there and a lot of fun expats.... Have a great time! I did.

I was told that a high-rise was coming at the corner of Yale and Center St. (next to Washington Av. almost accross from the Social). Has anyone heard about it?

Does anyone know the status of the Reparian or has that project been scrapped?

I'm pretty sure those guys live here in Houston, they just didn;t feel the need to claim as visited.

Honduras

Mexico

Canada

Holland

Demark

Sweden

Switzerland

France

Italy

China

Japan

Guam

Singapore

Maylasia

Belize

Dubai

Boy did you get that right! There is no one to protect the consumer and the harder we work the more big business and "paid for offices"make. It is so hard not to become apathic, the greed of these people is insatiable.

Rick Casey's artilce in todays' paper is a fine example of how our legislators look out for themselves and vote against help for others.

I make a mean cheese torte-it needs "know" reforming.

...and "know" one is checking on what you do if you don't count your absolutely horrendous spelling and grammer.

My hat is off to you.

Your ability to zero in on the core issues is remarkable.

It is quite obivous you are the more educated, and intelligent.

Yeah, well...listen: just a few things.

1. If you want to reply to someones post, click on the "reply" button beneath the post. That makes it easier to separate what you are replying to.

2. Yes, Red only speaks for himself...many times, however, he articulates what many of us are thinking-as I feel safe saying in this instance.

3. No one is mounting a personal attack against you-certainly not me. I don't even know you. No one has accused you of uncivility.

4. We are, as Red pointed out, civil to one another 99% of the time. I am one of the more outspoken Liberals and frequently attack the conservative viewpoints I read in this forum. I also detest bad spelling and grammer. However, I don't attack the Conservative and I don't attack the typist.

5.We get your point. I receive email alerts when someone posts in a topic that I have subscribed to. Your redundancy at times has caused me to simply delete many of the emails I see with your name attached.

6.I don't know of a clearer way to describe my point of view to you. I hope I have been civil.

[bTW I responded to your misspelling of tort in the Real Estate Center Website thread. I now blame you for having a torte in the oven even as I type this at 11:05 PM! I hope you are happy with yourself! ]

You are correct my spelling and grammar leave a lot to be desired. I am terribly dyslexic and it takes me a very long time to post. I guess you guys need to explain to me exactly what you consider exceptable posts. or should I just send them to you privately let you decide if they are worthy, and if they are up to your standards.

My suggestion is Nottingham subdivision in the 77450 zip code. It is Katy, good schools, quite neighborhood. Defiantely in your price range. I can vouch for it, it's where I live. Go to www.har.com , and check it out.

Don't forget to factor in the HIGH taxes in the city!