Builder Offers to Buy Homes Affected by Texas Landslide

The builder of a San Antonio development partially evacuated after a landslide in January has offered to buy back 27 homes.

Spokeswoman Valerie Dolenga said that Dallas-based Centex Homes is offering to buy back the homes because homeowners will likely need to remain evacuated for six more months. The homeowners had to leave Jan. 24 when a landslide began and a retaining wall split.

Centex, which is owned by Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Pulte Homes Inc., said once it has approval from city officials, it will build a new $5 million retaining wall to prevent future landslides. Construction will take six months.

Dolenga said because the evacuated homeowners will not be able to return until the work is complete, they are being offered a buy out and help relocating.

On March 10, about 80 homeowners held a news conference on the top of the street where the slope collapsed. Signs being held up included ones reading “Pulte Talk to Us” and “Watch for Falling Home Values.”

Resident Dell Hammett was not among those who had to evacuate their homes, but said she’s concernd about her property value, cracks in her walls and other signs of foundation movement.

“We’ve worked all our lives for nothing,” she told the San Antonio Express-News.

Carlos Pena has gotten a buyback offer, but he said that doesn’t address the stress his family has suffered.

“It’s not enough,” he said.