Utah city tells families to get out of their new homes

[@andyleo8418]

He needs to sell the house back to the builder. He's never going to get what he paid for it if he sells it later. It's considered damaged goods.

[@Ember3221]

I hope edge is willing to buy the house back.

[@andyleo8418]

@@Ember3221 they gave him the choice of selling it back or fixing it. He made the wrong choice the first time. Maybe they give him another chance.

[@KlassiclyRevampT]

The company won't buy it back for the same price they sold it to them for either.

[@modenasolone]

It just goes to show you that the laws are in place not to protect the consumer

[@jonathanstrauss8194]

@@modenasolone Another person made a comment that they're Offering 2 buy it back at market value

[@christinebee9781]

Never do business with any company that makes you sign a “non-disparagement” clause. You will get burned.

[@andrewpinkham9904]

no sh it.ummm my first thought was why would i have something bad to say

[@tygorton]

Kind of like the pharmaceutical companies and their super safe and effective vaccines.

[@Brian-pz3wh]

ANY non-disparagment clause should be legally unenforceable as it directly impacts your free speech rights as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.. Go to court and have it removed from the contract, and NO you should have run away as fast as you could upon first reading it.

[@scottmcshannon6821]

any company thats finds it necessary to include in a non-disparagement clause needs to go out of business.

[@TheOriginalChronic]

@Brian here is the thing, going by the definition of "disparaging", nothing stops them from pointing out the factual negative information. Considering words have meanings and courts get granular with that, most lawyers would easily be able to show that negative true statements are not protected by that.

[@NNic.]

Disparagement clauses should be illegal. People should be able to tell others about a bad experience with a company as long as the statements aren't false.

[@davidb2206]

It seems an infringement of the First Amendment right. Disparagement that is FALSE would be slander or libel anyway, under separate laws. Disparagement that is TRUE is not a violation of law.

[@roberthudson1959]

@@davidb2206 The First Amendment only bans GOVERNMENT restrictions on speech, not private ones.

[@TheSGBrown]

@@davidb2206 No, but if you SIGN AWAY your rights, it would be a violation of contract law.

[@micahlacombe2168]

Although I haven't seen the contract, It is safe to assume the non-disparagement clause was part of the warranty. IE, they guarantee the warranty on the home and will even buy it back from you, but you can't run out afterwards and destroy the rest of their business bc of one issue or bad contractor they may have used. It's pretty easy to point fingers at the builder here, but the city inspectors are involved here too... both houses should probably be removed if they cannot shore the foundation properly.

[@NNic.]

@@micahlacombe2168 I see what you're saying, and I think you're right about there being more than one responsible party here. I still think, though, that as long as any critical statements about a company are truthful, they shouldn't be allowed to be stifled. Just one or two criticisms wouldn't be enough to "destroy the rest of their business." That would only happen if there were numerous criticisms, in which case the company probably should go out of business.

[@blondie7240]

I worked as a waterproofer for a few years. Two things, first, that area is full of sand, we would regularly need to dig out cave-ins so we could properly waterproof the basements. And second, Edgehomes is the absolute worst company we had to deal with. They hire some of the worst of contractors, entirely incompetent. Many times we called them to ask how they wanted the house waterproofed and they would just be absolutely clueless, its as if the only requirement to be an Edgehome contractor is that you can fog up a mirror. I'm no house inspector, so I definitely miss a lot of stuff. But even I can find many mistakes when I walk through an Edgehome. Utah seriously needs to create new laws or enforce the current laws to make it so Edgehomes follow the same building rules everyone else does.

[@soaringvulture]

Aaah. That's why they have a non-disparagement clause. They must have been getting lots of valid trash talk from their earlier customers.

[@sirosagaming8228]

I just read that as Clint Eastwood.

[@stevelopez372]

Sure, but this is not necessarily a House problem but a Massive Geo-Technical Blunder. The problem lies with Soils Engineering and Grading contractors etc.

[@colton5bucks]

Yup. Edge homes is the laughing stock of builders

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

@@colton5bucks edge homes: building by the EDGE of a cliff.

[@kaw8473]

Something similar has happened in my city. The houses were built on unconsolidated sediments, above a creek and every year those people pay taxes on a tiny piece of the back lawn they don't have anymore. Get a survey, get water tests even on new homes.

[@sethwatson8952]

If it was still under warranty, and the builder offered all of my money back, I would take that in half a second and run as fast as I could. That’s the absolute best outcome the situation could provide.

[@davevaccaro]

It was an offer to "sell it back" which isn't the same as getting your money back. They would lose some money, which doesn't sound so bad at all when faced with a total loss. I agree, I'd get out as fast as possible.

[@janeblogs324]

Never heard of capital gains tax? Where I am they would be forfeiting 50% of the money they got back

[@Kenny-ly6kk]

@@janeblogs324 No because with a 1031 exchange, the capital gains would be deferred and they could go buy a better house.

[@davevaccaro]

@@janeblogs324 Crazy! What a terrible predicament.

[@riggs20]

You’re right. He really needs to take the money and run. And quickly in case the company goes bankrupt. He’s really hung up on this idea of the fact that this was their “forever home.” It’s sad, but he’s got to look at it like a bad relationship. He thought she was “the one,” but she’s not. It’s time to let her go and move on.

[@thegreen4me]

Any time somebody thinks it benefits them to put a "non disparagement" clause in the contract, they know that there's something they're hiding

[@lightweight1974]

Yes, that's a big red flag.

[@moniquemoore1270]

Right that's why I included a co write that explains my interests

[@Chris-cv1ll]

Doesn’t the fact that the house and property are not accessible mean that the company did not fully satisfy their end of the agreement.

[@cjsrescues]

If it's the truth it's not disparaging.

[@tigresmom5654]

Yup

[@t.s.9656]

Instead of Edge Homes, the company should be renamed "Over the Edge Homes".

[@djjohnson5013]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@eagleeye2300]

You can't make this stuff up.

[@stevenstranger5688]

Living on the Edge Homes

[@ShadowGirl1126]

Or over the hill

[@trinaharrison526]

🤣😆🤣😆👏👏👏

[@pepeboy234]

Many people have nightmare stories like this one; however, the family should be thankful that they are covered under the builder warranty and get out and find a better home with a better view, It's madness to think that this property could every be sound or viable because it is a death trap.

[@MyWasteOfTime]

Crazy that there is a clause in their contract where they are not allowed to say anything bad about the home!!!!

[@mikejohn0088]

ya.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Kiss my a**, lol

[@whyyeseyec]

The irony is the city was so concerned about the safety and welfare of the homeowners after the houses began falling apart but not before they were built.

[@jmd1743]

The guy who said that the home would be a "forever home" is either ignorant or liar. Him and his wife will eventually be forced to move when they can no longer drive due to aging and the local pharmacy & grocer is a 15 minute drive. At that point it's better to live in apartment than it is to live in a assisted living center.

[@Dzanarika1]

Pure madness 😂😂😂

[@george2113]

Soil conditions are uncertain sometimes

[@BigBagOfNope]

@@jmd1743 So in your world elderly people don't live by themselves, delivery services don't exist, and in home caretakers don't exist. Got it.

[@l.plzsavethebeez485]

Someone most likely knew that this area would be ripe for slumping! You gotta know what's down there....from an expert or many opinions. Sometimes weather's overload of water can make a unforeseen problem!

[@FireCracker3240]

A "Non-Disparagement" clause? As someone who has a real estate license, I know that I would never sign a contract that had something like that in the verbiage. If something goes wrong, you have no recourse to protect yourself or to warn others about dishonest business practices. Just like these homeowners found out. If I am ever to build a new home, I will find the land myself and verify its safety before building on it. Beware of communities, especially on steep hillsides.

[@FocusingOnChrist]

Our landlord of 7 years changed management companies. They had a clause like this and refused to remove/amend it. We moved. No way! That tramples on the first amendment.

[@portagepete1]

lol freedom of speech makes this clause illegal.

[@RonJDuncan]

@@FocusingOnChrist The thing is that you can sign a contract to waive your rights, and sadly, it's enforceable in most cases. It's all the more reason to get an attorney and go through the contact carefully.

[@guysumpthin2974]

@@FocusingOnChrist sounds unconstitutional enuf to win a supreme court battle

[@JM-zg2jg]

@@guysumpthin2974 Not our current Supreme Court.

[@BASavage81]

The city and the builders need to be investigated. That whole area has known to be unstable for decades. Builders and municipalities have been known to hire inspectors, engineers that will see things their way.

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

A buyer talking to some grade eight kid in the area would find that out. But they never think to ask.

[@adrian_sanchez]

Still, who's house is it, the city's or the homeowners....they should still be able to live in it while it get's fixed.

[@jonathanlake6053]

@@adrian_sanchez I would say the land there is not suitable for building development full stop.

[@adrian_sanchez]

@@jonathanlake6053 it doesn’t matter, it’s theirs. It shouldn’t be up to them, full stop

[@Bewefau]

yeah but if they get sued sense it is the city that's your tax money there taking not the company's.

[@originalkingalpha5116]

📌Who in their right mind would purchase a house to live literally feet away from neighbors on both sides of the house, for 900k with at least a 30 year deed? That's absolutely incredibly insane! One could literally pay a fraction of that price, purchase land and build!🍻😂

[@MattyDread1]

Utards.

[@jonathanstrauss8194]

Gullible fools are everywhere

[@vinylpenguin2651]

It happens the same way in neighborhoods all over the country every year. The land can't support a house but the developers don't care. They find a surveyor who they can pay to say whatever they want. A friend of mine is going through the same thing in his neighborhood.

[@rudra62]

A surveyor only ascertains where the property lines are. What you mean is a site engineer or soil testing to ascertain that the ground is stable and won't slide or expand or flood or the like.

[@rudra62]

@Dannydolan88 That's why you hire your OWN inspectors and you pay them for the report. You make the offer on the house subject to the satisfactory report(s).

[@rudra62]

@Dannydolan88 Yes. If you don't have an extra $300K to spare, how are you buying a house? Even with 10% down, you need $30K. If you're spending that kind of money, spending 3% more to get it inspected so it doesn't fall apart right away is worth it. Also, I spent several HUNDRED, not thousands of dollars having my home inspected before I bought it a dozen years ago. Inflation hasn't hit THAT hard.

[@eckankar7756]

Same thing happening to a friend of mine in Phoenix. Bought a house new in 2020 and it started falling apart in a few weeks. Walls falling away from the rest of the house. He found boxes of take out chicken sealed behind the dry wall, evidently workers done with lunch stuffed the bones and sack there rather than carry it out. He's been in litigation ever since and can't live in his house. Several neighbors with the same problem. never buy a new home...not any more.

[@bug2011]

Best advice ever, including a new car, all junk and problems!!!

[@musiclover6842]

Not take out chickenn!

[@blehlee6745]

i live in Phoenix & i see sooo many new developments/apartments going up & I can’t help but wonder how many of them are structurally sound?….

[@eckankar7756]

@@musiclover6842 Popeye's

[@bucktooth002]

I'm grateful for having to build my own house. -didn't qualify for a mortgage in 2019

[@cognitiveresonance339]

For years I've been looking from the freeway at those houses on the hill in Draper and shaking my head. Worst place to live in a natural disaster. The only surprise is that it took this long.

[@butchhaight]

Yep, at some point ALL those houses are going to be at the bottom of the hills!

[@supertruckertom]

Soil liquefaction is a thing when subjected to vibration. 50 foot deep friction piles probably would not be sufficient.

[@FloridaGirl-]

😱

[@commodoresixfour7478]

@@supertruckertom That's a pretty big issue for ships transporting things like that too, apparently. I had no idea until I saw a video about how it sinks them.

[@Belynda]

It’s these builders, such corruption right now. I live near Sandpoint, Idaho , pay attention to the name , Sandpoint, it’s on sand and a lot on flood plains. People from California are moving out here in droves and will buy anything. I heard they sold condos on the shore of Lake Pend O’Reille, sight unseen. We’ve had high water and they flooded. Some idiots from Californians purchased a house off of the main highway and cleared away all of the trees and foliage. The whole hill collapsed onto the highway below creating major problems because the plants roots held the Sandy soil together . They’re lucky because the county was going to charge them thousands for all of the damages. I hope these people have some legal recourse. People need to read everything they sign and for heavens sakes, check out the property they’re building your home on .

[@chigal0926]

I lived in Salt Lake Country for a few years. The amount of new housing being built is incredible. But it also piqued my suspicion that they were building too fast, and not considering geologic issues. Spending 900k for an uninhabitable house?!?!? I would be in a rage!!!

[@davidb2206]

Rage wouldn't help you and the increased blood pressure would likely shorten your life. What does it profiteth a man?

[@arlissyoung8899]

It's even worse here in Florida. The massive invasion and flooding in of people from the North has completely destroyed this State. They will pay any amount to live here with their houses inches apart just like they had back home. They have lined all of our rivers, water ways and lakes with houses inches apart just like where they came from. They have mowed down forests and woodlands for housing complexes and apartments. I watched them turn farm lands into housing complexes. These people will destroy everything in their path to get what they want at any price. They have completely destroyed all of their Cities and towns from up North now they are doing the same here. It's the saddest thing I have ever seen. They truly don't care how over crowed they make a place as long as they get what they came for.

[@mikejohn0088]

Would you be in a rage if the house was 300k and you were a working stiff? It's all relative pal.

[@erinaustin2157]

@@arlissyoung8899f you really feel that way, then you need to vote for people who will change the building and land policies. If it were not for them, none of those homes would ever be built. Blame the correct people for something you do not like and then take actions to work on it 💁‍♀️

[@daniellestoker]

Same here in arizona I call then toothpicks houses..

[@stella-gx8ne]

We just did an addition on to a garage. Contractor had soils tests done and engineers. That weight doesn’t compare to what a house is but he wouldn’t proceed with out it. We are on a flat area and the original house was built in 1997. No matter, he would not proceed without a soil test and an engineer approval. City inspector was stunned that the process took so long. Now I’m ever thankful that it did.

[@TrailBlazers757]

This happened in Utah some years ago. Someone built houses on a hill that was known to be a high landslide threat. The builders ignored it. Then there was a huge landslide.

[@torontocpl]

My farmhouse was built in the 1890’s and it’s still standing strong ...for those wondering how the original wood floors & beams are holding out.. up here in Canada 🇨🇦 it’s to cold for termites ..,

[@gsdalpha1358]

We have an 1895 Victorian Gothic home (with a turret - lol). Basement beams are massive, and exterior walls are triple brick construction. Two (now defunct) chimneys were actually integral supports for the center of the house. We removed chimneys only above the roof line. Funny story: we had to replace some plank flooring in an upstairs bedroom and uncovered multiple old gas lines used for gas lighting. Love the old place: nothing is exactly square or on center, and it's a bear hanging pictures in plaster over brick, but the house is rock solid. And we laughingly refer to the basement with its rooms and runs as the dungeon - ha!

[@jercasgav]

I live in southern Colorado, and we do not have termites except for in very rare cases. It is very dry out here, and in places that are dry there tends to no be termites either in many instances. The humid places seem to have the most trouble.

[@nikkapubess3349]

You're talking about your 1890s farmhouse on flat land and no termites. This video was about a new construction house and foundation issues. Boy you really are a special kind of dumb, aren't you.

[@debbiecurtis4021]

Hundreds of thousands of houses were built in the UK from about 1800 to1920, most are still standing strong.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

Poor termites. Lol. I hear you, my grandmother lives in the house she grew up in. And even theough her dad, was the second owner in 1940 something, that house which was built in 1912 is still standing strong!

[@jeremywithacamera235]

My wife and I purchased our first home, 8 years ago. It's about 100 years old. It's the "cookie cutter first home" for a young couple; Imperfections, which we've tackled, ourselves, slowly, while the family has grown. It's a humble home, but its ours, it meets our needs, and more importantly, our budget. We've seen a different in build quality between our 100 year home and these new, 'mass produced' homes.

[@randomvideosn0where]

My 70 year old cabin definitely has issues but I knew that going in and as it is old, I am not afraid to investigate/modify to suit my needs. Also it is amazing to see how tight the growth rings were back then vs now, probably 4x as many on a stick of lumber.

[@rudra62]

@@randomvideosn0where The growth rings being tight could well mean that it's a different kind of tree. Most wood used for construction today is pine because it's fast-growing. 70 years ago, they might have used something else, depending on what is common near that cabin, and what was available. Oak is common for building in some areas. In a home build as "emergency housing" during WW2 in south Texas, owned by my brother, we discovered much of it was built from CYPRESS!

[@Hebrew42Day]

@@randomvideosn0where That's a factor I hadn't considered in why the quality of homes is lower. The trees being used are of a lower quality, fast growing lumber not denser old growth lumber.

[@randomvideosn0where]

@@rudra62 That is a thought but the wall studs I have cut were definitely pine. I am using a fair amount of Red Oak because that is the majority of (usable) trees on my property and I love the look.

[@Budman_4044]

We have a 2 story brick house with a limestone foundation that was built in 1849. It passed the regular home inspection and the VA inspection. The VA inspector said it was one of the most solid foundations he ever seen in a home that's over 100 years old. This house is more solid than most of the newer homes we looked at. We were surprised to find out that it's only 12 years younger that the oldest house in Iowa.

[@mrsc1742]

The house has cracks every where and is sinking down a hill but....we still want to live in it. SMH

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

No first they are in shock. They haven't had time to process what happened. They want to see if it can be fixed. They need to lawyer up come up with a plan. That takes time. I think homeowner is being stubborn right now but my friends built their dream home and the town put up wind turbines nearby and they got wind turbine syndrome and his wife nearly died so they were forced to sell and the town treated them terribly. Eventually a judge ruled the turbines were never sited with zoning so they ordered them turned off permanently took ten years. They moved to the next town over redid a fixer upper and we're a lot happier.

[@al6r725]

I think their 'willingness' to keep the home ties back into the non-disparagement agreement, which that agreement is absolutely insane in and of itself for a home builder...

[@MyNameIsJeff-W]

$900,000 for a house like that? That is criminal!

[@TheOriginalCryptoPimp]

They paid $900k for the view not the home. They got what they paid for. I guarantee the view was hyped up during the sales process.

[@toomanymarys7355]

Probably for the view!

[@idadho]

This happened to an entire hillside development in Colorado Springs about 25 years ago.

[@Rhaspun]

I remember one time a house in San Francisco slid off of a hill. A burst water pipe had eaten away at the soil until finally the house slid and roll a bit down a hill. Of course the homeowner sued the city and the city ended up paying for the destroyed house.

[@danielboone6631]

Draper approved the building permits and the city inspector passed the inspections. Now the city blames the builder. Hmmmmm

[@Watchout-b6y]

Someone in the mayor office got some kick back money and got caught before they could get out of office. (Mayor)?

[@ergoone1098]

And the builder probably accuses the city. If so, they're both right.

[@chrism2042]

Thing is, many jurisdictions have so many CYA documents, it usually takes liability off of inspections dept. If there were civil engineers involved, the builder will point the finger at them.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Pas the buck at its best welcome to bureaucrat corrupt town govt americuh

[@Grammy52]

Do you really think city inspectors never get lied to and tricked by builders?

[@truneilson]

The wise man built his house upon a rock... even kids know it.

[@Harbalz]

🎵 The rains came down and the floods came up....

[@lynn7392]

A foolish man builds his house upon the sand. Matthew 7:28

[@Adroit1911]

It's likely he's from the west coast.

[@reconjitz]

The moment they said sand, that’s exactly what I thought of lol

[@Capohanf1]

@@lynn7392 TRUE BUT IT IS UTAH!!!!!! WHAT DOES THE BOOK OF MOROM SAY???

[@PaintingandExercise]

Even if they repaired the homes and they moved back in. When they go to sell, no one is going to want to buy the home for any price near what they paid for it.

[@kamX-rz4uy]

You'd be surprised how many buyers don't have proper inspections done or look at a home's history.

[@MystikAzn4vr]

Some of my friend's homes in Denver are like this too. Newer homes that needed redos and repairs 1-2 years later from poor foundation and rushed work.

[@gordonbesancon709]

the developer needs to pay every homeowner their expenses to move and the price of their home.

[@banesbox]

Between the builder, city & insurance companies, the home owners need to be fully reimbursed. Period.

[@HiloBoiz808]

900,000 dollars!?!?to live on a small lot on top of your neighbor.I don't get it.

[@brandon6541]

Literally, crazy how people can pay that much for these homes stacked up next to each other like that at least have some land or something with that money

[@aubreymuni8938]

The population explosion in Utah produced an absolutely insane market. Thousands over asking price with inspections waived for cramped subdivision homes or old homes with just some cosmetic adjustments has been totally normal.

[@umeng2002]

Lots of people are running away from Democrat states and cities.

[@melaniedenison9575]

@@umeng2002 Yet they still vote Democrat wherever they end up 🙄

[@SoloPilot6]

City people. It's a way of thinking. I'm in an area where the minimum lot size is something like an acre, the average lot size here is 5 acres, but to someone who wants a view and to live in town, they don't have a lot of options.

[@Ember3221]

They knew about the sand for decades. This is a common issue with homes in Draper which are built on the mountain. My parents’ home is on that mountain. My aunt had a home there too. Both homes have structural integrity issues.

[@tombarclay7108]

Can you say bribery and corruption? Sell it back to Edge, and sue the surveyors, city planners, and Edge for all expenses incurred in the move (hotel bills, etc), and include all legal fees.

[@Fordgroup00]

@@tombarclay7108 Yep

[@michaelciccone2194]

Isn't there a huge LDS TEMPLE in Draper? I wonder if there are structural issues?

[@yorgasor]

@@michaelciccone2194 Well, there are certainly integrity issues

[@eddilovee]

@@tombarclay7108 just go ahead and sue the country. Everyone is corrupt.

[@ddtstrc9678]

In the US when someone says I paid 500,000 for my home. What they really mean to say is I finance 500,000 and that's how much I owe to the bank😂.

[@AlisonCasilli]

If I am buying a home and in the contract there is a clause that says something about not talking about the bad things that happen (which bad things always happen...that is life) I am DEFINITELY going to step back and ask why that clause is even in there. Seems to me that was the first real sign not to trust that company to build a $900k house.

[@janncoons7445]

Don't sign anything with a non-disclosure. Definite signal that something's trying to be hidden or you are going to be taken advantage of.

[@im1who84u]

Kinda like a pre-nup.

[@TheOriginalCryptoPimp]

That's silly. Not necessarily true. When I'm talking to business owners about the possibility of me acquiring their business we sign NDA's. That's a very confidential conversation that you do not want discussed outside of the meeting with the parties involved. I've signed literally hundreds of non disclosure agreements. It is certainly a case by case situation.

[@av8ionUSMC]

As long as the builder has offered to buy it back, what’s the problem? Awful they have to move out of their “forever home” but get out now, especially while you have an out. No repair would make me feel comfortable living on that hill.

[@rayRay-pw6gz]

They will not get all their money back . And the loss could be very costly . They could easily be looking at a 100K loss.

[@addamtate1230]

The problem is a house is the most expensive thing most people will ever buy. The stress, the time taken to move in and move out and find a new place, lose money. That, in my opinion is the problem

[@linzierogers5024]

Buy it back at what price?

[@radolfkalis4041]

@@rayRay-pw6gz as opposed to a 900k loss(house they can never live in). Sometimes you have to cut your losses

[@rayRay-pw6gz]

@@radolfkalis4041 yes , I do agree . Then they have to find a new place and start over. They also have to hire an attorney, which will add to the cost and stress . What I was trying to convey was all the suffering they are going to go thru. And the battle will be in years.

[@dsbennett]

Makes me even more grateful for our house. Built by a relative who is obsessed with over-engineering his houses. In the last city he lived in, it was a status symbol to own a Chandler home.

[@henrymorgan3982]

When most things were still built with PRIDE.

[@missilemedic]

@@henrymorgan3982 just depends on the person, pride or profit

[@zombieluka]

How lucky. I envy you. I'll never have the funds to have someone build a home that isn't wood between walls where you hear every single thing through the walls/floor. We're renting a house in Mesa that was built in the 90s and Christ is it horrible in that noise regard...

[@missilemedic]

@@zombieluka sounds like the same plague across NA, no affordable housing built in year; just popcorn ceilings or "luxury" apartments. It's a shame builders are always using the most affordable building solutions, but selling at highest profits possible. And we wonder why theres a housing crisis every 5 years.

[@jowbloe4700]

Then they named a city in Phoenix after him 😃

[@mmmonkay]

This is why my husband and I purchased a 105 year old home. Not the prettiest right now, and certainly cheaper than the rest but we love it and we’re making it exactly how we want and it’s in a great area. We looked at this development and thought it was such a pretty area but I didn’t want our house looking exactly like every one else’s newly built model home in a 30-mile radius. But to each their own.

[@kf4293]

Exactly what that last guy said. Builder contracts are _written one sided._ They protect the builder from basically everything, but offer the buyers *no* protection from delays, or anything.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Aren't soil stability samples done on ground before homes are built there..??

[@MrMrabaunza]

@@wbay3848 🤡

[@bug2011]

It's called fast tracking, ultimately to save time and money. How'd that work out ???

[@BenKlassen1]

Yes, but who knows how the home was built? Could have been built on unstable soil placed as fill.

[@shelleytaylor9524]

Soil samples were done in my neighborhood and the builder did the recommended dirt work on the first house and did nothing on the 44 other houses in the neighborhood and the inspector has since passed away and the builder is in the wind, the state office that has the licence information can't find the insurance policy number, so no one is being held accountable.

[@billmoran3219]

I bet the city didn’t put a stay on the mortgage, insurance and property tax those owner’s still have to pay even though they’ve been ordered out. The home builders who probably is also the land developers offered to buy it back but are they also going to pay the owners moving , storage and taxes already paid? Can’t believe they would have a no disparage about company in its contract, seems pretty wormy.

[@jenniferkimble8969]

This.

[@jonathanlake6053]

Why would a mortgage company finance this without a full building and land registry survey?

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

​@@jonathanlake6053Well, why would you give a 500k mortgage to a checkout girl working at Home Depot in 2008...?? Take a guess. We'll wait. A: $$$

[@deathblade909]

There is a whole lot of things to unpacke. 1. how did they city planning committe not review the soils report before they OK the plans. Usually you need multiple agency to approve the engineering before you construct 2. Did developer cut corners and city didnt catch it?

[@modenasolone]

Because many of these city inspectors are just someone who took a crash course in basic inspection. I have seen inspectors learn more from the legitimate tradesmen working on job sites than they did with the knowledge they brought to the job.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

My contractor builds Phius ultra energy efficient homes. They do not meet international code regs and the building I Spector is like duh derp you need more home heating or whatever. Often they were in the job soibg like an ancient doctor they have zero understanding of modern building for energy efficiency in fact the town asked my friend for a master class to teach the inspectors at least entry level understanding. When building inspectors are from 1960s 1970s constuction they just are looking for things dny modern builder knows how to address easily the big stuff like this is over their job competency.

[@adrian_sanchez]

Still, who's house is it, the city's or the homeowners....they should still be able to live in it while it get's fixed.

[@michaelmoore2196]

Remember, the city, and inspectors gave it all OK... the city and inspectors knew it... and let someone make millions.

[@rabbithowls71]

Same thing happened near me, in a very upper middle class neighborhood. A whole row of houses is now 1 house.

[@nickbono8]

I just recently bought a house, and I bought the smallest house on the list of numerous homes we looked at because it was the oldest and most structurally sound. Built in 1952, and it’s built like a tank. The other homes were 1970’s through early 2000’s and they were all looking like they had some sort of issue going on. New construction these days in these developments are cheap and rushed.

[@brandon6541]

Very no way these are quality homes when they are built in 2 days

[@euphoniahale5181]

Live in a home that I have to pay flood insurance for. But it’s been here for almost 100 yrs with 2ft hip walls. It ain’t going nowhere unless there’s a hurricane or earthquake that swallows it up.

[@catbriggs8362]

You are wise. I'd never buy a new home. And I would especially never buy a home on the edge of an elevation with a view.

[@jimda4910]

This is a typical problem in Utah Construction. I moved from California to Utah and quickly found out they don't do proper soil mitigation before Construction. For example in California you would be required to remove 6 ft of soil and replace it properly compacted for the weight of the new structure. In Utah they just grade the dirt flat and start building. Remember Hamlet Homes?. They built three-story condos on swampland without soil mitigation and their buildings sunk into the swamp and fell apart. I warned them but they wouldn't listen.

[@earlcortright8918]

TV

[@henrymorgan3982]

You would be a great consultant for these fiascos.

[@therealmichaelphelps]

In Oregon where I live, they dig until they find granite or hard rock. My parents house took two extra months to construct because they kept digging and digging through soft soil about 15ft deep and found it. That house has 15ft concrete foundations. We learned later that anything else built on the property eventually sagged into the ground like fence lines but the house is solid after 15+ years.

[@pyrioncelendil]

What's really interesting is if you look at this particular location on Google Earth, there's a map pointer nearby with a listing for the home developer. You'll never guess who it is.

[@SquishyZoran]

I’m stunned they don’t do soil mitigation out there!

[@RyanHawley76]

The non disparagement clause should be enough to expose the corruption of $$$ taking advantage of working people. But we know how this will end.

[@supertruckertom]

A $900k home is not working class. He would likely be legally considered a Qualified Investor. That is someone smart enough and wealthy enough that they can buy risky securities and have no recourse if they lose money.

[@paulo7200]

Its probably nonenforceable / void as contrary to public policy, unless the judge is part of "the cult".

[@johnniemcbride2772]

Companies should NOT have a legal right to sue for "disparagment" due to buyers telling the truth about the poor decisions and quality of products they made and sold. The city of Draper and the state of Utah need to sue this developer and change the laws to allow buyers to tell the truth publicly. When they do something this bad, they deserve to pay the price.

[@moonbladem]

If you're not aware of the term "planned obsolescence", you should look it up. It not only concerns appliances and electronics but apparently, homes now too.

[@sastrugi4471]

If the city said get out and the city approved the building permits, the city owes the people a full refund.

[@Fordgroup00]

Yep. Lawsuit time

[@SmokyOle]

Here's the thing about the government. If you sue the city and win, you are literally just going to get your taxes raised on you to cover their loss and mistake. This is why government is bad idea 99% of the time. You are going to pay to fix this mess even if you sue because the house(government) never loses.

[@sastrugi4471]

@@SmokyOle we are the government, that's why we also pay for its mistakes.

[@stephaniehowe0973]

They condemned it. They gave original permits on the basic idea Edge knew what it was doing. They clearly dont

[@Grammy52]

Even if the builder lied to the city to get permits?

[@Watchout-b6y]

Sell it back to the builder and move some place else. Easy end of story.

[@mytravls]

Yeah, like the builder will but it back. I’m sure on this one the loans aren’t backed by the same company.

[@Twitchguy]

Builder isn’t even offering the original price because home prices have dropped significantly since last year so these people would be taking huge losses

[@MrMassee]

@@Twitchguy housing is an investment. No guarantees.

[@Twitchguy]

@@MrMassee true but there’s laws that ensure you’re investment is legal otherwise it’s just scamming people which is likely happened to these people. Sold land and a house that appear to be not what was promised. No reason too loose everything when someone breaks the law or is negligent. Does that mean they won’t take a loss no but the company who sold them bad land /did shotty work shouldn’t be allowed to profit either by buying it back cheap only a year later when their company/ work is also being investigated now either

[@eckankar7756]

In the past 5 years, NEVER buy a newly built home. No more quality craftsmen left, they all retired and now it's 20 and 30 somethings that simply don't care.

[@jimburns348]

Not going on camera means you got something to hide.

[@susancross5192]

Or you`re having a bad hair day

[@NNic.]

Or you just want to be careful with your wording so you don't say something that might be misunderstood. That's how I am. I'd rather thoughtfully construct an email rather than speak in person where I might stumble over my words, if it's something important.

[@hotbam37]

From what I see only one person in that town was willing to go on camera.

[@SoloPilot6]

No, it can also mean that you don't want to be edited into saying something that you didn't actually say.

[@mikejohn0088]

Congress does that.

[@dannyestes832]

Had a house builder here that would build several houses with same foundation in a row. He would set the steel before foundation pour and inspector took a look and drive off. All the guys working would step into the rebar, pick up the steel and walk it over to the next form. Pour the cement on inspected form with no steel. The only house that got steel in the foundation was the last one in the group.

[@erinaustin2157]

There are a couple of abandoned neighborhood KZbin “docs” of a similar or other situations like this one. So due to building on unstable ground, some building on or near toxic areas, others the builders either ran out of money or went to jail and the neighborhood has been completely left to rot. It’s pretty sad to see actually. Gorgeous homes either completed or mostly completed, and then left to nature to die :(

[@roberthepburn7461]

The home builders need to repay the homeowners plus expenses

[@Claws716]

I never understood having that much of a house and live so close to people.

[@SomeRandomGuy369]

Some people find it safer. Like if the house got broken into with someone home. Or if someone was hurt and no one but neighbors to help. Like for instance you work on your car and the jack started slipping and you didnt die yet but your yelling and are stuck and will probably suffacate in a few min. You can live alone but no one can help you.

[@Rhaspun]

@@SomeRandomGuy369 Yep. Neighbors can be a help during an emergency and keeping an eye on other houses. I had friend who bought some land with acreage. He let the farmer next door work part of his property. To give it the appearance that someone is around much of the time. Otherwise a house standing alone can become a target for robbers.

[@alexdegaston422]

Any anti-disparagement clause should be unenforceable in case of fraud or negligence.

[@johntamburo2334]

If the contract was a form contract, and the picture in the article suggests that it is, the clause is unlawful. See 15 USC §45b, the Consumer Review Fairness Act.

[@Dfgbuiiyyyybb]

When the builder says we’ll buy back your home because it’s going to slide down the hill the answer is YES.

[@carsi7282]

Who is the land developer? They are the ones responsible to pay for the testing to ensure the land is stable. The City and the States both bear responsibility for allowing development on unstable land. It isn't the homebuilder itself. They just get the geological reports and work off them. The land developer bears most of the responsibility. But of course, once the development is finished, the legal corporate entity shuts down and they rename themselves as a different legal entity for the next development. It's shady business that no politician seems to want to correct. These politicians have no problem having the taxpayer pay for the legal damages while the corporate developer (and political donor) rakes in a fortune but bears no responsibility. Same tactic in P3 projects.

[@Starfish2145]

Edge homes …the builder

[@eddilovee]

It’s a dirty grimy world. Human beings are sick.

[@Honkahonky]

@@Starfish2145 developer and builders are 2 completely different things. Sometimes the builder's is also the developer in few circumstances. Developer almost never got involved in the house building,

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

The homes were still under warranty so that at least covers homeowner up to a point with this uninhabitable issue. He can take a buyout and move on or he can sue.

[@richardfabacher3705]

@@Honkahonky My subdivision has homes built by 3 builders other than the developer. A developer often sells-off lots when wanting to start building somewhere else.

[@mcsuchnsuch]

Maybe the state inspector got a envelope from the contractor to get the permits without any hassle?

[@ronjaeger6870]

In Redding Ca. where I live they had a development years ago where they had sinking houses due to lack of compaction on sidehill homes . The title insurance was who got sued for the land being sold when those lots were not buildable as sold . The insurance company ended up buying the houses back because of the fraud involved in certifying the lots had properly compacted building pads. I would think that this is a similar situation created by the developer. I would think the city would also be culpable if they have had other issues in that same area will the soils reports compaction etc.

[@Rhaspun]

Yes. The city is supposed to test the soil after compaction.

[@mangos2888]

I have things I dislike about my 2021 home but oh wow. My condolences to these families.

[@LeDank]

Extremely low build quality is a plague here in Utah. I see all these shoddy looking construction projects everywhere and just shake my head at the amounts people are paying for the homes. These customers don't know any better and they're being taken for a ride... all the way to bankruptcy in some cases.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

If you're a fool, a fool and their $$ are soon parted.

[@gman3745]

That's what happens when you put a house in an Old Lake Bottom just think what's going to happen when we have a big earthquake how many houses are going to sink into the sand because it's built on an ancient Lake Bonneville

[@artisallthat]

Something similar happened in Canada. Sink holes started appearing and people were run out. Sell your house if you can because none of the people who owned those houses can live in them.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Sink jokes also huge problem in Florida built on limestone one man was asleep his bedroom literally fell into earth swallowed up body unrecoverable. Awful.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Sink jokes sorry my spell check hates me

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Sink holes

[@al6r725]

@@WindTurbineSyndrome Thats the nature of FL, having a giant aquifer underneath the state. Plenty of fresh clean water though! Nestle thinks its entitled to the water for free and then can sell it at a profit, but thats a different story all together lol....

[@mike-tg8dw]

I've seen the same thing in Idaho. People building big homes on sand hills. Absolutely crazy. Take the buyout and sue for damages. What else can you do.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

You'll never sew the $$ again. Ask any RE lawyer.

[@joesolis2]

I’d love to see the pre-build Geologists’ report and find out whomever signed off the foundation inspection.

[@karatsurba4791]

Isn't it an obvious red flag when your builder has a non-disparaging clause in sale agreement ?

[@kimcwhite6509]

Oh my word, I feel so bad for that man and his neighbor! I hope he just sells the house back to the builder and walks away. It's not worth the headache. I lost a home to mold and insurance wouldn't pay. It was heartbreaking and horrible. We lost almost everything including furniture. I wish these families the best. I'm so sorry💙

[@musiclover6842]

The mold couldn’t be cleaned?

[@matthewellison581]

@@musiclover6842 it could

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

@@matthewellison581 unless it's been left unchecked for any length of time...mold buildup can in fact cause serious health issues

[@matthewellison581]

@@clairelivefreeordie2551 it can of course but it can also be removed

[@matthewellison581]

@@clairelivefreeordie2551 I've done it. I'm a general contractor

[@OnePok3monMast3r4gam3rs]

as a future geologist they should had done soil samples, checked the surrounding area, stabilized the soil, build proper retaining walls downhill to prevent this from happening.

[@magneric]

I doubt the builders wanted to spend the money to get the foundations properly engineered and just did some cookie cutter diagram to all the homes which the city approved.

[@nightlightabcd]

When ever anyone and company tries to sell you anything with the contract stating that the buyer can not disparage the seller, then you know it's a scam! Sounds like another case of deregulation.

[@willishadams]

People would be shocked at what's going on in Southern Utah. Entire neighborhoods thrown up overnight. Companies/subs/contractors with no experience that all started within the last couple years to get in on the housing boom. Literal house wives and teenage burnouts of wealthy individuals got their contractors license and started building. I have a post construction cleaning company and have been doing that solely for the last 5 years. The things I see being quickly covered up in these high 6, low seven figure homes...

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Please note, Levittown was done extremely fast, too. I think the walls were built off-site...? Much smaller houses, too.

[@alexojeda9048]

Any time a contract has an NDA-type clause is the time you should walk away.

[@husky500cr]

Utah is a beautiful place. I used to ski there every winter. Back in the early '80s, I visited my best friend's older brother. The home building company was building new homes down the street from him. He pointed out to me they were building homes right up against the mountains in the avalanche chutes.

[@Bewefau]

hmmm what was you doing with his older brother it wasn't just skying :o

[@jmc8076]

@@Bewefau Didn’t take your morn drugs? Too many or too much social media?

[@stella-gx8ne]

Homes at the base of big Cottonwood Canyon? What could go wrong😮

[@kharris0465]

One typically learns that the housing and real estate industry in America is a scam after they buy their house. That is what happened to me. Major water damage. Black mold. Stench. My condolences.

[@juliethompson8685]

Still wants to live in the house....with the foundation cracks and all? Remember the condo that collapsed in Miami? Man....I so feel for these folks, but sell the property back.

[@eckankar7756]

His 'forever home' maybe just fall down on him and forever is shorter than he thought.

[@LDaw_96]

That entire mountain is a sand burm. When they started building on that hill I was so mad. The tiniest quake and whole neighborhoods will be sliding down the hill and guess who’s tax money will bail out rich people at the top of the hill?

[@lajuanneal1691]

Why’d they choose this headline? Instead, shouldn’t it be “Developer builds brand new homes prone to collapse”?

[@patrickwest6876]

Can you imagine working and saving your entire life and moving into a beautiful home with a great view and this happens.

[@mikejohn0088]

Getting married does the same without the view.

[@Adroit1911]

I've been expressing how silly it is that draper zoned 'Sand Mountain' as residential. The wise man builds his house apone stone, the fool builds his house on sand.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Well cape cod is a sand peninsula many homes built here. The ocean coastal erosion is biggest oroblem

[@SanguineBlackBlood]

I’m sure the company that built these homes knew they would sink into the ground and because of this they paid less for the land, however they covered it up when getting building permits and then sold houses knowing they would sink eventually. It’s a tale as old as time.

[@tomservo5007]

oh ffs, they must have tested the stability of the ground before building on a hill

[@ErictheHalf_bee]

Don't worry, the developer will be fine. The industry is well-represented in and well-insulated by the state legislature.

[@davidb2206]

Some of their brothers and family members are IN the state legislature. It works well, just like in the third world.

[@iamanempoweredone6064]

Who was the geologist that signed off on the “ok to build” certificate? That person is in a lot of trouble

[@pg_jem]

As someone who lives in this neighborhood. This is near the ancient Bonneville shoreline. So the area is extremely sandy. Not surprising that when the snow and rain makes it way through the soil it will shift. Developers will obviously overlook issues like this and just build away.

[@Mrshoujo]

These houses aren't built with basements and soil studies weren't done.

[@stella-gx8ne]

Give a look see at what’s happening in around Las Vegas. Pretty scary.

[@moonfairy74]

The wise man built his house upon a rock, the foolish man built his house upon the sand...

[@eckankar7756]

Or a land developer wanting to make some quick cash builds on sand.

[@lt2547]

I bought a home that the wise man seller built on a rock, praise the Lord!

[@Thequietone974]

In Virginia Beach they built high dollar houses on former “ swamp land “. One of the developments was called “ running man “. I agree , you’ll have to run to get out of your house as it goes down …. Sand , hills, swamps , what could go wrong ???

[@cruisecontrol7911]

😩😭

[@michealsteve3699]

You’re beauty wish I could watch you smile 😊

[@mikejohn0088]

That is why you do not build near the beach....any beach with the ocean at the front door or on the desert floor.

[@sheepman6291]

My wife are first time home buyers and are in a similar situation. We can't even afford a home, and we are currently living with our in-laws. I'm an elector-mechanical engineer.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Dreadful nightmare I am so sorry. Are you suing?

[@1juanitosully]

@@WindTurbineSyndrome Si

[@suegreen4123]

Same thing happened in Boise, Idaho. They built big beautiful homes in the Boise foothills, and the land started moving.

[@kevindashid]

People blaming the builder are pretty ignorant. This lies with the city. They permit homes to be built there. Sounds like the builder is working with the buyers

[@MicroMountainsDude]

Greedy builder meets greedy city and everyone looses. Every one covering their own backs. Telling the tax payer to deal with it. Builders and city are guilty period.

[@ConstantGardener-q9q]

Isn’t there a zoning department that defines what kind of soils they can build on? How did the developers get approval from city officials?

[@supertruckertom]

$

[@PeterLawton]

I think that is the wrong department.

[@marlenebulger6822]

I was in UT late 70's and people that built homes on a mountain were shocked their houses were breaking in half and going to fall down the mountain. Almost 50 years later, I see UT hasn't improved how and where they can build. I hated UT.

[@yeahgirl11]

What made you hate UT?

[@marlenebulger6822]

@@yeahgirl11 the Mormons

[@DonJulio4649]

At least the builders owned up and gave them an option of selling the house back to them or to repair it. Buyer needs to realize there’s other places on earth that you can settle at. Yeah it’s unfortunate this happened and he thought he found the spot but that place will never be worth the same. Take the small loss and move on to another house. Why would you want to live at an area knowing it has weak soil underneath. There needs to be an investigation toward the construction company and city regarding about giving them ok to build in the first place.

[@kungazopa2831]

Rediculous to build & buy a house on a cliff edge! IMO pure stupidity.

[@PetCactusA_HarmlessLittlePrick]

If a company, organization, entity, or individual includes a non-disparagement clause you should -reuuse- refuse to do business with them.

[@2EternityButterflies]

Can't believe they built on sand. Unreal!