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Home Investigation Continues

WESH Joins Sentinel For Series

POSTED: 12:37 p.m. EST October 29, 2003

UPDATED: 1:42 p.m. EST November 7, 2003

ORLANDO, Fla. -- An extensive, year-long investigation into new home construction by WESH NewsChannel 2 and the Orlando Sentinel continues.

BUILDING HOMES: BUILDING PROBLEMS

Watch WESH NewsChannel 2 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. for more on the investigation.

INSPECTION VIDEO

Inspectors Show Problems

INTERACTIVES

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This is the first statistical assessment of new homes ever done in Central Florida and possibly the nation.

A leaky window, a major crack, hollow tile, crooked walls, toilets that aren't fastened down, loose drywall -- think these are old houses? Think again. These homes were all built in 2001. Each weeknight at 6 and 11 in November, we'll show you what our inspectors found in five Central Florida counties. Problems like poor, shoddy workmanship from crews under the gun to move on to the next home; cracks in concrete foundations, driveways, in exterior walls which can allow in moisture, mold, termites -- a whole host of ills; windows that leaked or where caulking was not properly applied or missing altogether. We'll show you county inspectors who rubber-stamp work without careful examination, builders who fight tooth-and-nail against making even the simplest repairs then never delivering, and a system approved by state lawmakers that makes it terribly difficult for homeowners to get any kind of relief. Stuck in this system, you'll see the homeowners with no one on their side, stuck with serious problems that no one -- not the county, not the builders, not even lawmakers -- seem to want to address. "I would pay you $10,000 to have not had to go through this whole thing," homeowner Dayne Matzinger said. The investigation continues tonight at 6 p.m. To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Jim Payne. Special Section: Photos, Videos & Resources

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