Buyers are left with unfinished dream homes as Owings contractor, Paul F. Summers, ceases construction i

 
 Locked sales office, above, and emptied
model home, below, alert homeowners
that all is not well in the Myrtle Woods sub-
division.
 

n Myrtle Woods, a subdivision off state Route 4 in California.

According to homeowners living in what was to be a 55 plot subdivision off Patuxent Boulevard, they knew something was not right when services like grass cutting ceased, the construction trailer was locked and the model home had been emptied of all furniture.

While reports indicate Summers is no longer in business, information

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regarding his company is sketchy. Phone calls have not been returned and the Web site is empty. It is believed, but not substantiated, that the company has not filed for bankruptcy.

St. Mary’s County land records show site plans for Woods at Myrtle Point dated October 2004. Harry Knight, the permits coordinator for the county, believes developing the property dates back to the late ’90s. Land records indicate Summers obtained the property from Eagle Top Partnership LLP in negotiations that reportedly spanned a seven-year period of time. 

“He overburdened himself, a homeowner, who prefers to remain anonymous, said about Summers. “We do not know if he is bankrupt; we just know he is no longer doing business. We are very concerned about our community,” he added. “We have been left in the dark.”

“We decided we need legal representation,” said, homeowner Margie Krouse, describing a decision made during a homeowners’ meeting on Sept. 17. The association will meet again Wednesday, Oct. 1.

“We have concerns about funds and services, Krouse said.”Summers has deposits that we put on a swimming pool and association dues,” she added, explaining dues are used for services like cutting the grass and common electricity.  “Many of us are doing yard work, but we don’t know about anything else. It is a bad situation,” she said.

Knight explained the county sees circumstances like this as situations between a business and buyer.  “We would not get involved other than to keep records up to date, and, if we have P.F. Summers permission, to transfer the building permit from the contractor to the buyer,” he said.   On the other hand, the county is not interested in empty buildings deteriorating and is keen to see buyers empowered to move forward.

“I am working for a homeowner now, not the contractor anymore,” plumbing contractor Steven Tull said, indicating that, in this circumstance, some Myrtle Woods homebuyers have been able take charge of their situation.

“It’s too bad,” said subcontractor Ellis Heckler of Bachoe sewer services. “Summers was a good contractor, built good houses, and I know. I’ve worked with a lot of them.”

Mitch Miller, of Miller Built Contractors of Carroll County, is completing the home