TH Properties of Harleysville Suspends Operations: Home Builder...

A Montgomery County home builder with major developments throughout region has closed its doors, leaving customers to wonder what will happen to their unfinished houses.

[MonkeyMomma]

What a nightmare!!! Good grief - what a freakin' nightmare for these folks. There's no way to protect yourself against something this outrageous. What condition are these Whitfield Estate housees currently in now?

[Hazelnut Lane]

We were less than 48 hours away from settlement. We have yet to hear from THP. This is an awlful nightmare that we are experiencing. Our current home settles next week and we are without a place to go. We just want answers and a phone call.

[West End Resident]

Only surprise is that it took this long. Anybody knowledgeable who dealt with their representatives could tell that many of them were unqualified amateurs being driven by "go-go" entrepreneeurs who were out to build an empire quickly, regardless of quality r how much they paid for it. "Overextended" is the word - build here, build there, put up a big new building in Harleysville for their offices, etc. But no one seasoned or experienced in alrge companies or from dowenturns in the economy was in the management.

At least now we won't have to put up with those stupid THP ads on the Turnpike's tollbooths and billboards in the area any more. Good riddance !!

[West End Resident]

Hazelnut Lane wrote:

We were less than 48 hours away from settlement. We have yet to hear from THP. This is an awlful nightmare that we are experiencing. Our current home settles next week and we are without a place to go. We just want answers and a phone call.

You might be glad and better off if you don't have to go through with it - unless the new house is complete and ready to go ? If so, then THP will probably be happy to take your money ! But what about warranty repairs and the like - who will do those then ?

Otherwise, there are lots of rental properties out there these doays - some in the same neighborhoods !

[4REAL]

I'm sure his/her point is they put money down on that house and now they won't be able to close. I had a house built and you end up having to put down a considerable amount of cash. They could be out a nice chunk of change here. I feel for you guys.

[Change the State Laws]

The state has changed the laws to protect people/consumers from Home Improvement Contractors but has not with builders. Its time for the law to change to protect consumers. In reality, though, the Builders Association will never allow any Pa law to go on the books protecting the consumer. Lots of luck to those who are headed toward a financial disaster due to the folding of this builder.

[Kelly7]

There are so many new houses sitting empty or in various states of construction. Buyer beware! I've seen alot of houses (not sure who built them) that are not constructed very well.

[elliottbuildingg roupsucks]

Change the State Laws wrote:

The state has changed the laws to protect people/consumers from Home Improvement Contractors but has not with builders. Its time for the law to change to protect consumers. In reality, though, the Builders Association will never allow any Pa law to go on the books protecting the consumer. Lots of luck to those who are headed toward a financial disaster due to the folding of this builder.

I was one of the last houses to close from a builder who went under two years ago. He took deposits on 70 homes in PA and NJ and screamed bankrupt. He left millions in unpaid contractors debt and I am still fixing their mistakes today. If I were anyone on the market for a new home-just stay away from these developers. The subcontractors do garbage work(half of which you will never see). Get a lawyer to review and modify your contract. Looking back on it there are so many better options that we can now take advantage as consumers. You're much better off buying a qualityy modular home or fixing up an existing home versus building with these developers who sub out to the lowest bidder. When we brought complaints to the Attorney General they said there wasnt a basis for an investigation-70 deposits, no houses and no basis for investigating someone? ridiculous.

[Just saying]

Rumor has it Haines and Kibblehouse (h&k)contractors is looking to get into the housing business and since they are owed so much money, they are just going to financially take over THP.

[RonMania]

OMG,OMG my Mcmansion will never get finished!!!!!

[JoisyGirl]

There are tons of EXISTING homes avail able to be purchased. I don't get why so many go for these cheaply built new houses.

[Dennis Mac]

The people that are really F'd are the first ones who've closed on a property.
Expecting a "neighborhood", now they'll have a Martian landscape to look at.

If you haven't closed, you may still recoup (some of) your costs.

[city resident]

It's hard to figure this story out. Are these UMT homes finished or not? Why are families under distress?

[Kevorkian]

These things are built lit git man. Grade 3 lumber and illegals doin the finishin.

[Chris Casey]

THP, where do you start? Shoddy workmanship, using illegals, and building homes that aren't as sturdy as a house of cards. That's why "Caveat Emptor" has relevance here. The deal was true good to be true, and now the buyers are stuck.
What a shame.

[Geez]

Did they ever start the developement in Pennsburg on the golf course? I am not surprised to hear this about the mennonite mafia. Came up too fast and not as strong as they should have been.

[West End Resident]

Geez wrote:

Did they ever start the developement in Pennsburg on the golf course? I am not surprised to hear this about the mennonite mafia. Came up too fast and not as strong as they should have been.

The one on the east side of town, just south of 663 ? Yes, I've been by there 4 or 5 times over the past month. It's all torn up, lots of pipes scattered around, a few buildings partway up. I just couldn't see how or why they were doing that in the present economy and credit environment - now we know why ! Also, I don't think they're Mennonites - I could be wrong, but they don't seem like the type - just too "in your face" and "Aren't we great ?" kind of thing.

[gdd]

Chris Casey wrote:

THP, where do you start? Shoddy workmanship, using illegals, and building homes that aren't as sturdy as a house of cards. That's why "Caveat Emptor" has relevance here. The deal was true good to be true, and now the buyers are stuck.
What a shame.

You want a better laugh. One of their supers had their own home built by international homes in harvest fields development on east texas road.

[Pennsburg]

H&K was loading up all of their heavy equipment today @ Northgate. It looks like the golf course will look like Ballenrose did in Blue Bell back in the early '90s.

I feel truly sorry for those people who are in those houses now, if they have to sell, they are in trouble! 1/2 finished houses and muddy lots will turn into rotting carcasses and overgrown fields.

The builder is required to put all deposit moneies in seperate escrow accounts to those who have settlements pending. Does that mean THP did that? Your guess is as good as mine.

What really makes me pig biting mad is the lies the Hendricks' put forth "Misunderstand about ownership structure" for an 1Mil plus IRS lein and "Wachovia is getting out of the mortgage business" for them calling a $20m loan. Right. My loans are fine with Wachovia, but then again, I am in compliance!!!

The Hummers, Vipers, trips for the office staff - paid for by cheap subcontractors.

There are too many unknowns buying in a development under construction! Too much risk, buy an existing home, fix it up.

[mcwhat81]

What a nightmare! I cannot even imagine what it must be like for those of you caught in the middle of this. What a mess. Hopefully you get answers, and soon!!

And those of you mature souls that think it's comical...what goes around comes around...:)