HuttoParke is in a spiraling decline
The neighborhood is besieged by construction defects and crime, and homeowners can't sell.

HuttoParke, a subdivision in Hutto, Texas, is besieged by a plague of sorts, and one not associated with the economic decline. Because of construction defects and an unscrupulous builder, the neighborhood is in a spiraling decline.

The builder never disclosed the risks of urbanizing rich farmland. Home buyers never knew their homes were built on expansive soil with residual arsenic contamination from decades of cotton farming, where arsenic was used as both a pesticide against the boll weevil and as a defoliant to make it easier to harvest. Now they can't sell their homes. The law requires them to disclose all known defects and risks, and they can be sued if they don't comply. But the builder didn't disclose, and the law prevents the builder from being sued.

Foundations in these starter homes were never engineered to withstand the tremendous pressures of soil that contracts when dry and expands up to 30% when wet. The builder cut other corners to save money and offer a low price. Serious problems resulted, including foundation failures and mold contamination, making many homes uninhabitable.

Homeowners with the most worst problems were forced to move out and leave their house vacant. Now they can't sell at any price, and crime has moved in.

Even homes with no apparent problems yet are affected. Realtors have black-listed the neighborhood and refuse to list homes there. The vacant and rental homes have invited vandalism and drugs. HuttoParke now has a "reputation of being a ready source of illegal drugs." This has caused a spiraling decline of house prices. It also means a drop in the tax base that funds public safety and kids' education, and an increase in HOA costs for those remaining.

We captured part of the story from this Hutto Parke HOA newsletter.

 HuttoParke HOA Newsletter, 05/15/2009 -