I am on the board of a homeowners association whose members have experienced enormous building defect issues, and this problem is popping up all over--not just in Hillsboro, but anywhere with new construction since 1995 or so. You need an agent who knows something of this problem as well as a good home inspector.

Fri Jul 4 2008, 16:42

Randy Meyers, the president of Brownstone Homes did build a great townhome back in the day when attached dwellings really started to heat up in the mid '90s. The Brownstones at Murrayhill in Beaverton was his first large townhome community in 1995 that sold like gangbusters! The quality seems to have suffered over the year...especially in comparison to so many other builders out there. Examples in Hillsboro such as the brownstone/townhomes built by Arbor Custom Homes in Orenco Gardens or Stonewater built by Legend Homes have out sold the Brownstones. Another large complaint from consumers are creaky floors, no bathroom on the 1st floor of many of the available plans & lack of integrity when it comes to enforcing the CC&R's and By-Laws of the communities.
Although, you get what you pay for & the Brownstones are much less $/per sf. than most builders out there.
If you want to purchase in the Hillsboro area there are many great buys out there right now...especially new construction. There isn't a builder out there right now that isn't offering an incentive to buy one of their homes.
I wouldn't say it's not "safe" to buy Brownstone Homes but always remember when you purchase a home it's an investment & you must consider the "resale" of the property....If you've heard bad things about the builder whose to say other buyer's haven't as well.

Wed Mar 12 2008, 21:42