Bucks County Homeowners Band Together Against AmeriCorp Developer
By Anita Oh
MIDDLETOWN, Pa., (CBS) -- Homeowners in a Bucks County neighborhood say they were left high and dry by a developer, who made promises but never kept them. They've been pressing the issue for years with no luck, but now they're demanding answers and action.
Since 2005, neighbors say these brand new Middletown homes were for sale.
"There in the five hundred thousand dollar range," said Martin Allen a homeowner.
But now, homeowners like Martin Allen feel forgotten.
"You feel robbed," Allen said. "You feel cheated."
His property is one of 32 units in the Durham Ridge subdivision developed by AmeriCorp Homes. But though the company sold every unit, the development was never completed as promised, says Township Manager, Stephanie Teoli Kuhls.
"Things like the paving, some landscaping, some issues with the basins," she said.
Many had unfinished work inside too, but they ended up paying for private contractors after failing to get in touch with the developer.
"I'd say about 20 grand. We had to pay for all our floors out of pocket," said Nicole Fullbright. "We were extremely disappointed. We have 2 kids, this was our dream house, we saved up."
"They have been trying to reach him through phone calls and emails but at this point nothing is being honored," said Dee Patel, a homeowner.
Eyewitness News tried to get answers from the AmeriCorp Homes headquarters in Newtown, but were told the developer Ron Gualtieri was not available.
Now Middletown Township is getting involved declaring AmeriCorp Homes has defaulted on its $406,000 bond.
"The township is ready to step in and bid for the project," said Teoli Kuhls.
It relieves these neighbors, only to an extent, since the developer is in the middle of building a new property in Bristol called Island View.
"Somebody needs to take him down," Fullbright said.
"It looks like a scam to me," said Gurnam Bains, also a homeowner. "Stay away from AmeriCorp. That's my advice."
Eyewitness News also tried to reach the developer by phone, email, and Facebook, but got no response. The company now has 60 days to respond to the township about the defaulted payments, but if the township has to step in, neighbors here should see the work completed by this summer.
