ABE -- Tuskes Homes (Allentown, Scranton: sales, homeowners association, insurance)

[FivePointsGolf]

For those considering a move to Allentown / Bethlehem / Easton area, where Tuskes Homes is a prominant local developer (copied from an earlier post):


By all accounts, Tuskes builds a nice home. I work in the building materials industry, so I am familiar with some of the practices of builders to save money and influence local codes toward that purpose. Examples include joists and trusses being laid 24" on-center (rather than 16"), using OSB instead of plywood and the seemingly-standard 2x4" studs on exterior walls. Tuskes has not conformed to these lower standards, thankfully. We love our home.

But here's the rub: once you buy from Tuskes Homes, you are at their mercy. Recently, all residents of our community received a letter from a property-management group informing us that we all now belong to a homeowners association, along with the obligatory bill for dues. Nevermind that nowhere in our contracts does it state that we would be required to join an association: if we did not pay, we faced possible liens on our properties. Initial attempts to reach Tuskes to discuss the matter were largely ignored by the builder. Not until the homeowners united (in essence, forming an association), did we get attention. The collection of dues has been delayed, but the HOA will be imposed. Surprisingly, Pennsylvania laws are on the side of the builder. We will be required to join or face a lien or be forced to move.

More recently, and more importantly to us, is an issue that effects the property value of our home and that of our next-door neighbor. Not listed in the development plans, Tuskes began construction of a water tower directly across the street on a hillside facing our property. Nevermind the unsightliness of the thing-- that's actually not the concern. It's this: they cleared trees and land for its construction last fall and this Spring's rains revealed a serious flaw: there is not adequate drainage to accomodate the run-off of dirt and sediment. Subsequently, our property-- and that of our neighbor-- has been deluged by water and sediment. In May, a portion of my driveway collapsed where the run-off gathers. I immediately attempted to contact the builder, but never got closer than his secretary.

I have written 5 emails, sent a complaint to the PA attorney general and contacted my local congressional representative. All this is in motion as I type, but three months later, there has absolutely zero response from Tuskes to rectify the problem.

It's simple, really. Tuskes failed to provide a drain pipe beneath the driveway of the residence across the street, as they built that home with the intention of quick-sale prior to the construction of the water tower (no, the homeowner was not informed there would be a mammoth water tower in his back yard). Without the drain pipe, the water channels directly into my yard. My driveway collapsed, there's dirt and stone and clay everywhere in my yard and I have the added benefit of uncontrollable weed growth from all the seedlings that have naturally washed down every rain storm.

And Tuskes continues to ignore us.

It's easier to see than to describe. Have a look:

Tuskes Homes Fails to Provide Adequate Drainage

Sorry for the rambling message-- I am doing everything in my power short of retaining an attorney to rectify this problem. I have read posts in this forum from folks looking to relocate to the PA mountains and looking at Tuskes Homes. To the former, I say "good choice-- welcome!", but to the latter I caution: do so at your own risk.

[karen_s]

I tried to open your link but couldn't.

Did you try through the Better Business Bureau (I see Tuskes has a page): Better Business Bureau Reliability Report

I also found this in a search:
HomeOwners for Better Building

You could try writing to your local paper if they have an action column where they will intervene (our paper is the Express Times and they have a columnist who does articles about business disputes and attempts to resolve them). If Tuskes is concerned about their image, some negative publicity may help you get resolution.

I'm sorry you are going through this. Water issues stink!

[KristyLiz]

We lived in a Tuskes community (Sand Springs in Drums, PA) for 3 years and although we liked our house, the customer service was HORRIBLE!! The worst!

We moved before there was a HOA, but, we are getting billed for it! Two years later, and we are getting billed for a HOA we were never part of.

Nice product, crappy customer service.

Good luck!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by KristyLiz

We lived in a Tuskes community (Sand Springs in Drums, PA) for 3 years and although we liked our house, the customer service was HORRIBLE!! The worst!

We moved before there was a HOA, but, we are getting billed for it! Two years later, and we are getting billed for a HOA we were never part of.

Nice product, crappy customer service.

Good luck!

Actually, FivePointsGolf currently lives in Sand Springs in Drums, which is the Tuskes community he's referencing. I truly do feel sorry for the predicament that he and his neighbors are in. Flooding issues and an unforeseen mandated HOA? Totally awful.

[KristyLiz]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Actually, FivePointsGolf currently lives in Sand Springs in Drums, which is the Tuskes community he's referencing. I truly do feel sorry for the predicament that he and his neighbors are in. Flooding issues and an unforeseen mandated HOA? Totally awful.

Really?! That's awful. I wonder where theya re putting up this water tower thing?

Sand Springs has its own water supply, which I guess they thought was a good idea, but it really has been one problem after another.

I wish him luck.

[FivePointsGolf]

Originally Posted by KristyLiz

Really?! That's awful. I wonder where theya re putting up this water tower thing?

Sand Springs has its own water supply, which I guess they thought was a good idea, but it really has been one problem after another.

I wish him luck.

Kristy-- the water tower is up the hill on Stone Ridge Rd. Here's a pic:





The Bobcat you see might be described as Tuskes' answer to our complaints after a recent storm. In reality, it's them cleaning up so potential home buyers don't witness the mess their lack of foresight (and engineering skills) has caused. The driver of that Bobcat, as well as another out of picture on a sweeper, as well as the workers who water-tested the tower, all are subcontractors who have witnessed our dilemma first-hand and have told us they will mention to a Tuskes site manager. Note in this pic: the hill beside the driveway across the street, to the right of the telephone poll, you can see where the mulch was washed away. This is the path of water from the hill. From there, it crosses his driveway, the street, and settles into our drive and yard.

Hope everyone can see from this pic that we do our best to maintain a nice landscape. Just off-picture to the right is a garden of weeds (mostly an invasive lil son-of-a-gun called nutsedge) that has taken hold and cannot be eradicated. I believe the weed seedlings have been carried down by the runoff and blame Tuskes for this as well.

As for the water tower: the new patio homes off Long Run Rd. are reportedly dreadfully lax in water pressure. While we on Stone Ridge lament the unsightly monster on the hill, those homeowners down below are rejoicing at the prospect of a normal shower and abiility to wash cars or water lawns. I'm told the pipeline connected to nearby CanDo park two weeks ago.

By the way, Kristy-- due to the homeowner uproar of the mandated HOA, sales manager Gene Bodough was let go from Tuskes. He deserved it, as he certainly lied to a number of potential buyers, but in essense he was the sacrificial lamb offered by Tuskes to appease 74 very upset homeowners.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes. I'll post any progress, should we begin to see any.

[FivePointsGolf]

Originally Posted by karen_s

I tried to open your link but couldn't.

Did you try through the Better Business Bureau (I see Tuskes has a page): Better Business Bureau Reliability Report

I also found this in a search:
HomeOwners for Better Building

You could try writing to your local paper if they have an action column where they will intervene (our paper is the Express Times and they have a columnist who does articles about business disputes and attempts to resolve them). If Tuskes is concerned about their image, some negative publicity may help you get resolution.

I'm sorry you are going through this. Water issues stink!

I tried, but was unable to post that link on an original post. No problem in a reply, however, so here it is:

Tuskes Homes Fails to Provide Adequate Drainage

My experience with the BBB on issues unrelated to this has been less than favorable. Generally, they contact the business, are told it's being fixed, and close the matter. This is why Tuskes' report lists them as satisfactory. I assure you, there are about 100 homeowners in this development who would not agree with this assessment. We're hoping to have more success with the AG.

The Times Leader responded a week ago, but no follow-up. I'll be calling them today. WFMZ in Allentown has not responded. Neither has WBRE nor WYOU or WNEP. All will be getting calls from me today. I hope I possess the power of persuasion... as it's only me and two other neighbors who are fighting this fight.

[MJCM]

I've been looking at neighborhoods in Tatamy and Nazareth where Tuskes recently built nice looking homes. Are there any members of this forum who could share their experiences with the Tatamy Hunt development or any other Tuskes development in the area? What problems have you experienced with the homes, neighborhood, etc.? Your input would be much appreciated.

[KristyLiz]

Originally Posted by FivePointsGolf

By the way, Kristy-- due to the homeowner uproar of the mandated HOA, sales manager Gene Bodough was let go from Tuskes. He deserved it, as he certainly lied to a number of potential buyers, but in essense he was the sacrificial lamb offered by Tuskes to appease 74 very upset homeowners.

Mean Gene should have been given the ax long ago - he was a snake!!

That whole water system that Tuskes put in there has been nothing but problems. I lived down on Sand Springs Drive and across from my house was that water filtration house. When we first moved in, we had brown water, and I used to wait by the window until I saw someone enter the water house and I'd run out (babies in tow!) and drag them inside to see my brown water - it was horrible, and I got nowhere.

Eventually, they fixed all the problems and the water was fine, but now I see that's not the case and they are still having to erect water towers to get the water right.

I'm really sorry this is happeneing - it really is a nice community.

BTW - just today I got ANOTHER bill from the HOA! Again, we moved back in November 2005! Unreal!

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by MJCM

I've been looking at neighborhoods in Tatamy and Nazareth where Tuskes recently built nice looking homes. Are there any members of this forum who could share their experiences with the Tatamy Hunt development or any other Tuskes development in the area? What problems have you experienced with the homes, neighborhood, etc.? Your input would be much appreciated.

Can you tell me exactly where the Tatamy Hunt development is located? Because the area right above Tatamy near the closed bridge in Stockertown is sinkhole central and I'd be afraid to move too close to the creek in that area if it's the development I'm thinking of. In fact, sinkhole insurance is a good idea in much of the Tatamy/Forks/Nazareth area as a precaution.

The Tuskes development in Upper Nazareth was heavily protested by the community when it was proposed. Again, I'd look at issues of water and runoff very carefully too.

Many of the new developments in this area have storm water issues. There is a flood watch in effect for eastern PA now, so it would be a great time to check out potential homes and see what is wet.