Tanner residents want answers after bankruptcy

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NORTH AURORA – Dan and Betty Stanciu love living in Tanner Trails subdivision.

But they are not too happy with their home builder, Neumann Homes, which filed for bankruptcy last fall following the slump in the housing market. They bought their home in 2006.

“Neumann left us in a lurch,” Dan Stanciu said.

For example, he said Neumann had promised to replace the walk leading from their driveway to their house. They ended up spending more than $1,000 of their own money to get the job done.

The retired couple was among about 100 Tanner Trail residents who attended a meeting Wednesday to find out what was happening with the subdivision in light of the bankruptcy.

The village hosted the town hall meeting at the North Aurora Activity Center.

Village officials are drawing on a $1.8 million letter of credit posted by Neumann to finish public improvements like curbs, storm sewers and streets.

“That should be wrapped up before the snow flies,” Village Attorney Kevin Drendel said.

One good thing is that the subdivision was substantially built out before Neumann filed for bankruptcy, Drendel said.

Tanner Trails homeowners now look to establish a board of directors for a homeowners association.

“The builder is out of business, so the homeowners association is being run by a management group,” said Tanner Trails resident George Karagianis. “We are trying to get control of our association.”

Karagianis purchased his home in 2004.

He said the association’s board would control the rules within the subdivision.

“We don’t have control. It seems to be a bit unfair for the builder to be calling the shots,” Karagianis said.