Carolina Heritage Builders, of Matthews, NC (Newton: short sales, foreclosure, lender)

[jawz]

We purchased a new home from Carolina Heritage Builders of Matthews NC that is riddled with defects and code violations. We are reaching out to others to see if they have had problems with this builder or their home.

Looking to share our stories to help one another.

Some of the problems we have experienced:

• Leaking Roof
• Sloping Floors
• Creaking Sub Floors
• Defects in Foundation
• Insufficient Insulation
• Numerous Building Code Violations
• Plumbing Problems
• Inproperly Installed Hard Wood Flooring
• Poorly Finished Drywall
• Foundation Not Damproofed - Water Under House

Defects and Code Violations documented by professional engineers, including the NCDOI.

[jawz]

The builder refuses to make the needed repairs. We've been spending 10's of thousands of dollars making the repairs ourselves. We have photos showing the problems as well as living the nightmare trying to fix the house.

Picasa Web Albums - JAWZ

Buying from this builder was the biggest mistake we've ever made.

[chicagocubs]

WOW. Isn't there some kind of recourse that you can take? Have you talked to the lender to see if they will do anything?

Another vote for NOT buying new construction.

[Charlottean]

OMG I just looked through your photo album! I'll tell everyone in my office about this thread.

We all know who this builder is!

[scarlet52698]

Dear lord that is bad.

[Hendrix]

To all others who read this....please consider hiring a licensed home inspector EVEN when having your home built. They will spot things PRIOR to closing.

[pandorax]

He also just closed down his business and claimed he disolved his business without a lawyer and has no money mr. jeff newton has caused many issues with peoples lives. I can see here his homes are issue homes

[jawz]

To all: Thanks for responding. I have been busy with contractors trying to get the house fixed. Total nightmare. I'm sure Mr. Newton is not losing any sleep. I wanted to address some of the comments left.

1. Inspections:
We hired an independent home inspector. He did not find any of the major problems. I have learned that you can not count on a licensed home inspector to find structural problems, and they will not point out most issues that are considered cosmetic, although they will cost a lot to fix. Your best protection is to be familiar with home construction or hire a structural engineer. I'm seriously thinking to write a book with a "How to Inspect Your New Home". I've learned more then I ever wanted.

2. Recourse:
Binding arbitration in your new home contracts is something everyone should understand. We didn't. After paying over ten thousand on attorneys, we found that you can't sue unless you can prove fraud. Although we feel he defrauded us, it's another matter to prove it in court.
Congress is working on changing the laws to remove "Mandatory Arbitration" from contracts. Best protection, research the builder thoroughly before buying, as well as doing a thorough inspection on the home. Don't count on the inspector to find the problems.

We have learned that our house should not ever have passed the county building inspections. The inspector had charges filed against him by the NCDOI. That is what I had learned, not sure the outcome. None of this does anything to help us get our house fixed.

Question: Does someone know for sure that CHB is out of business? Scary to think he is still selling homes, after our experience.

Final thought: Warranties
New home warranties are a total joke. They give you a warm and fuzzy, but unless the builder is reputable and has good ethics, you can learn the hard way that you may not have anything other than a worthless piece of paper titled "Warranty". Again, best to make sure the builder is very reputable and that the house is thoroughly inspected before closing.

After two years, we are finally getting close to getting this house fixed. Currently out over $30,000, not counting legal expenses. Just repairing defects.

[Charlottean]

Most of their homes (specs) were removed from MLS (foreclosure I'm guessing) because the rest of what's left show them as Possible Short Sales and any offers need to go through the lenders. He is also listed with Coldwell Banker now.

[jawz]

I remember having to take classes on ethics. I could say something here, but I'll refrain.

Unfortunately, the NCREC probably can't do much to ensure that agents have good ethics. Difficult to measure and keep tabs I suppose.

I would not be surprised if he is "steering" his buyers to the homes he built. A practice that is not legal, correct? Conflict of interest, I would think. What do I know. Maybe a gray area?

It's amazing how one individual can destroy a family's lives. The consequences are far more devastating. For example, we were in the process of adopting a baby girl from Cambodia. She is now 3 years old and we have not had a "home" to bring her home to. Just one of many misfortunes we've encountered from buying a defective home from Jeffrey Alan Newton, aka, Jeff Newton, of Carolina Heritage Builders.