Fw: Arvida Advises Buyers to Hire inspector

[Guest guest]

Dear Barbara:

Here's a link (and text) to the latest Arvida story. If you remember several homeowners have a class action suit against Arvida. They advise potential buyers to hire inspectors and the City's Building Official says it "differs" from code. Give me a break, either it meets code or it doesn't and he SHOULD know the difference. The subdivision has a big mold problem and some homwowners have moved out. I hope you are well theses days and I'll talk to you soon.

Sincerely,

Armstrong - President Florida Chapter

HomeOwners for Better Building (HOBB)

www.hobb.org

]www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=4494

Arvida advises new home owners

Houses built with decorative cement (stucco) were built using a technique that differs from Florida building code In a letter sent to customers Arvida advises them that they may hire an inspector to take a look at their home before closing on it because of techniques that were used in applying stucco to new homes. Homeowner, Debra Pueschel says that the problem on her home is repairable but a nuisance. 56K | High Speed

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Arvida, Florida's largest home builder, is now telling its customers that they may want an inspector to take another look at their homes to make sure it meets their satisfaction. In a letter sent to customers Arvida advises them that they may hire an inspector to take a look at their home before closing on it because of techniques that were used in applying stucco to new homes. According to the letter sent to customers, "We have learned that the application of the decorative cement finish to your home and the installation of some of your windows may differ in some ways from the technical requirements of Florida's building code. Although we believe that your home is being built to meet of exceed the prevailing building practices in the area, we want you to be completely satisfied with the quality of the home your are buying from us." The letter goes on to say, "To underscore our confidence in the quality of your new home, we are extending you the opportunity to have the home inspected by a professional inspection company of your choice before closing." Homeowner, Debra Puschel says that the problem on her home is repairable but a nuisance. "It's going to be a nuisance to repair." The house she says has, "Excessive cracks that are larger than a fine hair line. And they're basically chunking off. I mean chunks. And that should not be." Her house has the decorative cement (stucco) on her house that is mentioned in Arvida's letter. "These cracks were pointed out to Arvida when we first moved in. And they stated that it was normal wear. No it's not." According to Goldsbury, the chief inspector with the ville Public Works Department says, "it throws up a little red flag but they brought up the point too that it says differs [from the Florida building code]. But It could be more stringent than the code." But, the city of ville may never know because a change in state law has allows some builders to use their own inspectors. Arvida is the only company in ville allowed to use their own inspectors.ville code officials, however, say they are not concerned and Goldsbury says, "Homeowners should always be a little bit concerned but I don't think they need to be anymore concerned than with any other builder." When asked about the letter Arvida's ville president said that she had no comment regarding the story due to a pending class action lawsuit regarding mold and mildew. Sixteen homeowners have filed suit against Arvida.

Created: 5/29/2003 6:25:54 PM

Updated: 5/29/2003 8:09:53 PM