Mold, construction issues delay opening of LISD school
Leander ISD officials say a new elementary school will not open in time for the 2007-2008 school year as planned. Officials say a number of things affected the delay of Grandview Hills Elementary School, including: -- Mold found behind an outside brick wall.-- Excessive rain causing construction delays. -- Construction and site issues with the City of Austin. Grandview Hills was already a source of controversy for some LISD parents who have been concerned about the school's safety because the site once housed a chemical company.

Arbitration ties consumers' hands
Unhappy customers used to threaten, "I'll see you in court!" That often won't work anymore. These days, consumers are increasingly forced to resolve disputes via mandatory binding arbitration. Unfortunately, though many people now are covered by binding-arbitration agreements, most don't know what they are, how they work, when they come into play or who would decide the fate of their complaints. Businesses love binding arbitration. For them it's a faster and cheaper way to settle disputes and a great way to generate debt collections.

Mortgage Bankers Association calls for more FBI agents, prosecutors
With an industry database showing a 30 percent increase in loans involving suspected mortgage fraud in 2006, the Mortgage Banker's Association is asking Congress to set aside $31.25 million over five years to hire more FBI investigators and prosecutors.

Two Units Never Worked Properly Because Of Poor Installation
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation fined an air conditioning contractor $6,000 for substandard workmanship on an air conditioning system the contractor installed in a residence in Alvord. Despite complaints from the consumer, the contractor failed to correct several mechanical integrity deficiencies.

Thousands of Houston buildings at risk for fire, collapse
11 News Investigates discovered thousands of local places not passing those inspections and not obtaining a certificate that makes them legal. And while the building owners aren't fixing the problems, city inspectors often do little or no follow up; putting Houstonians at risk...11 News Investigates obtained city records showing more than 20,000 buildings in Houston have gone more than five years without passing the required inspections. So who's not minding the store? Houston's Code Enforcement division in the Department of Public Works. "At the very least ot looks like an agency that has operated with gross incompetence," Texas Watch spokesman Alex Winslow said. Texas Watch is a government watchdog group. "It's unconscionable, it is irresponsible and the people of Houston deserve much better," he said.

Court Affirms Award Despite Objections by Prevailing Homeowner
A Texas appellate court affirmed a $29,500 arbitration award for a homeowner against a roofing contractor, upholding an arbitration provision in the parties' contract and denying the homeowner's efforts to vacate the award as too low. Teel v. Beldon Roofing & Remodeling Co., No. 04-06-00231-CV (Texas Ct. App., 4th Dist.)...Teel sued Beldon Roofing and Remodeling for breach of contract and breach of warranty, complaining that incomplete roof repairs led to water intrusion and mold contamination in her home. Beldon moved to stay and compel arbitration, citing the arbitration provision in the parties' roofing contract, which expressly incorporated the Federal Arbitration Act. That motion was granted.

Lawmakers Vote Multiple Times For Others
There's been a lot of debate at the State Capitol on bills relating to voter integrity. Some lawmakers are pushing for measures such as requiring voters to show a photo identification before being allowed to cast a ballot. But the integrity of one person, one vote doesn't apply at the legislature. CBS 42 found many lawmakers vote more than once. "I certainly noticed. There appears to be far more votes on the tick board than there were people in the room," capitol visitor Laurel Weiss said. Arnie and Laurel Weiss were baffled when they came to see the legislature in action. "It seems very inappropriate and they should do something about it," Arnie Weiss said.

Unlicensed Contractors Caught on Tape
Unlicensed contractors accused of taking thousands of dollars from unwitting homeowners and we caught how they do it on tape! These contractors are breaking the law and are leaving their customers in the lurch. Darlene Burton is left with a big mess after she hired Jimmy Yellock of Universal Trades Construction to build an addition to her home. She tells Troubleshooter Diane Wilson, "Everything he did was wrong, everything he did except the wall in the bathroom has to be redone."

New York State Consumer Protection Board Public Hearing on Home Repair and Improvement Contracting
New York is taking the initiative to try to learn how New York State can better protect consumers who contract for home improvements.  CPB is inviting consumers, industry representatives, home improvement contractors, state and local government officials, law enforcement, and other interested parties to offer comments.

Lennar Division President Reacts to Defective Home Claims
Hull says Lennar knew about the problems before homeowners complained. Lennar offered him about $10,000 dollars for the missing square footage. Hull wants Lennar to buy his home back. Bottoms said in response, "I mean, we are not in the business of buying homes back.  We want to be able to take care of our customers and be able to provide a high level of customer service." Pro-sight Inspections says it found similar structural concerns in at least three other Lennar homes. Lennar says those homeowners are a small minority compared to thousands of satisfied customers across the country.

Water woes
As recently built stucco houses continue to rot from moisture damage, critics say a change in the building code won't solve the problem and will make it harder for homeowners to sue. After cutting away a section of stucco from Dean and Gayle Dworak's Hugo home Monday, Bruce Boerner scraped at soggy oriented strand board he found underneath. The stucco home, built in 1998, has significant water damage. The Dworaks may sue the builder of their million-dollar home.

Broker Posts Lennar Complaints on Website
If Mike Morgan is the voice for defective homeowners, then his website is his megaphone.  Morgan says he gets 10 to 15 thousand hits a month on www.defective-homes.net.  "Those hits come from consumers that are having problems.  They also come from a lot of people that are looking to buy homes that are researching Lennar."

South Carolina - Lennar Homes in the News
North Charleston City Officials say there's nothing they can do to please unhappy Lennar homeowners. But the number of complaints continues to grow, with many residents alleging the City could have prevented their problems...Lennar homeowners allege their Wescott Plantation homes passed inspections without ever being inspected by North Charleston Officials.

Lennar Homes Investigation Continues
Lennar homeowners allege their Wescott Plantation homes passed inspections without ever being inspected by North Charleston Officials. The complaints have been ongoing for years. And the pressure is increasing on one of the country's largest home builders..Lennar. "In the last week since the reports have started here in Charleston..our internet emails are coming in are about 75% from South Carolina," said Mike Morgan. And the complaints are the same... faulty trusses... structure violations... and in some cases...feeling flat out lied to by Lennar.

Mom Turns into Mortgage Fraud Sleuth
Georgia - She used to be a DeKalb County stay-at-home mom. Now she is a nationally recognized mortgage fraud expert and her mission is to spread the word about taking back control. Mortgage fraud can work dozens of ways but here is one typical scenario: Fraudsters move in and flip a house again and again, driving the price up on a property that is not worth it. The fraudsters get big loans from banks and the banks, many times, end up eating the loss. The community suffers from un-sellable eyesores that sit empty for years.