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Once Its on the Internet, Its Out There Forever

If I didn't believe that before today, I definitely believe it now!

Well over a year ago, I posted about pending litigation against Richmond American Homes of West Virginia. At that time there were 10 homeowners filing suit over non-functioning radon pipes. Shortly after the post I received a call from the attorney representing these homeowners. He had read my post and we had an interesting discussion. That was that.

Today I was asked permission to be quoted in the next e-newsletter for AARST (American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, Inc.)!!! The editor had found my blog!!! Wow...who knew?

Thinking it might be a good idea to update the information from my 1 year old blog post, I found that the CBS Affiliate in Washington, DC, WUSA-9, had done a story just the other day about this lawsuit, so here's the link: http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=83411

I found out that a second suit has been filed on behalf of over 100 homeowners. Because this is all pending litigation, nobody's talking, so there's very little additional news to report at this time.

The original post I wrote in June, 2008:

Lawsuit filed against developer (edit/delete)

Good Morning!

Our local paper (Martinsburg, WV) has a story on the front page that M.D.C. Holdings, dba Richmond American Homes of West Virginia is being sued by 10 homeowners for allegedly failing to install functional radon pipes in their new constructions. It says that one homeowner claims that fake pipes were installed to intentionally deceive the building inspector!! WOW!

As far as I can tell there are no realtors/brokers named in the suit at this time.

I know that when I've shown new constructions, I've pointed out that pipes, not mitigation systems, were in place. I also have given my "Radon Speech" many times to prospective buyers of all types of homes (what it is, what it does, EPA recommendations, etc.)

I believe that Richmond American builds homes in other areas of the country and was wondering if similar allegations have been made. Anyone know of anything?

Thanks, Amy

Here is the link to the AARST Winter Edition:

http://www.aarst.org/radon_reporter/Radon_Reporter_Winter09.pdf

The upshot of this whole thing is that I think its wild that a post over a year old would generate any interest whatsoever! You just never know, do you?

Posted by Amy Salisbury West Virginia Realtor/Jefferson/Berkeley on 07/10/2009 04:40 PM

Comments (37)

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37 Comments on Once Its on the Internet, Its Out There Forever

JUL

Amy. No one may be talking, but lawsuits, unless the judge orderes the files sealed, which is extremely rare, are public record.

I'll see what I can find.

This is a good post to keep in mind. Things that people post, business owners etc., may (and hopefully will) be used for the good, or might even come back and bite 'em in the butt.

Your post seems to have a lot of good attached.

I've just read one blogger gloating: "They know or care little about the details and legal complexities of real estate advertising"

I'm bookmarking to read what Lenn finds out too!

Amy, you are so right! Once it's out there it's it's out there!!! The good the bad and the ugly. If anyone can find out more info Lenn will. Congrats on being asked to be in the AARST newsletter and secondly congrats on the shiny new

HI Amy,

The internet is timeless, and anything you post on it is indexed forever. Great way to demonstrate that fact, and congrats on the star! :)

-Lisa

Amy, you bring up something that we all need to be reminded of. Once posted, it's out there! This is a great example of it. Congrats on the feature girl!

Hi Amy ! Great reminder and worthy of a featured spot :o)

... if you post it - it's 'out there' !!!!

Cheers Amy !

Sheldon

You're absolutely right - I still come accross obscure questions I posted to blogs years & years ago about hobbies I have ...Makes you want to watch what you post on the web!!

Best,
Dan

So true, so true. So be careful what you put out in cyberspace, it may come back to haunt you!

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh

No you just never know. So a lesson for all of us - if you don't want "it" out there, be it a picture, quote, whatever - don't put it on the internet, because once it's out there, it no longer 'belongs' to you...

I have searched for topics and found many things that were outdated - sometimes they are still worth reading though, I guess yours was to someone!

Hi Amy -

What a great story! My momma always said I should mind my words.....even MORE important in the Internet age!

Amy - this is a great reminder that what we write will be out there for folks to see for a LONG time. You never know what good things they may find, or bad. I still get comments on an article I wrote in January 2007!!

Jeff

Amy - that must have been a pretty sureal moment to get that call! Just makes us remember to double check our facts before posting anything.

I have a lot of posts that draw regular comments that are a year or more old... they are new to the people that are just discovering them...

This is so encouraging! It's good to know that content that you've written can be found long after you've forgotten that you had even written it, and that it can bring you either publicity and/or business.

Hi Amy -- Radon systems, esp. during new construction, are so inexpensive to put in, it defies logic, but then again, there are a lot of things that defy logic. Thanks for the incredible post.

Amy... Yes it is here forever unless deleted by the author. Congratulation on your story.

JUL

Hi Amy. That can be good... or bad. Sometimes I wonder why some authors did not delete some material. Aloha, Lana

Amy, Congrats on the feature!!! ;-) Yup! you are right, Google has a lo-o-o-ong memory...

Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN

Lenn - In the WUSA-9 piece, some of the neighbors were quoted, but as far as the attorney representing them (who I know and have worked with), nothing. And of course, Richmond American isn't saying anything either...

Carla - Both times I got phone calls on this post, my stomach did a little flip; my mind immediately went to, "Oh gosh, what did I say???" LOL!

Lee and Pamela - Thank you, I'm honored to be quoted in the newsletter, and I agree: if anybody can find out more info, Lenn can!

Lisa - Thank you!

Thanks, Kris!

Thank you, FunnyBrit!

Dan - Yes, it definitely does!!!

Patricia - Truly true...could be kinda scary!

Christianne - A lesson I've tried to hammer home with my teenagers!

Bridget - That's what I keep saying. This post wasn't even very good...I think it was only the second time I'd ever posted...

Coleen - Your momma is a smart lady!

Jeff - Wow, 2007! As Bridget said above, people will find your work if its what they're looking for!

Kim - If you only knew how surreal it was! Alone in my office, juggling phone calls, a client who had walked in, and a last minute babysitting gig with my granddaughter! Surreal almost covers it...!

Lane - That's awesome!

William - It is encouraging, and important to remember what you've put "out there!"

Chris - You said it! This story really made me mad when I first heard about it. It will be interesting to see what happens with the progression of the lawsuit.

Roland - Thank you!

Lana - Yes, good point...some posts should just go away...:)

Thank you Michael!!!

Amy you're right. Once it is out there, it is OUT there! In our area, our builders are not putting in this kind of system. But I still try to get buyers to do their own inspection on their new construction home. The typical response is, "Why should I do that? It's a NEW home AND I'm getting a one year home warranty."

They seem to forget that PEOPLE built that house!

Great post!

How very true. The good news is that a post written a year ago can get you media coverage today. Congrats on the feature.

Great story ! Thanks for sharing this... is amazing the power of the search engines and the Internet ! Congrats on the exposure !

Amy - a great reminder for all of us to remember..congrats on your feature star!!

Interesting... It is really amazing how advanced searching is now from only a few years ago...

Once it is posted online, it really is there forever. I am sure this information was Googled and they found you.

I agree with Bob, they are man made and i get the buyer to do comprhensive inspections also. Congratulations on putting yourself in position to get lucky. Luck happens to those who plan for it.

Yes, things on the internet are out there forever. People need to realize that is true of photos that they put on the web. Just hitting delete does not remove them...they can still be found!

I still get calls on local community events blog posts I wrote a year ago, too. It's amazing what is out there, and we must be careful what we post.

Amy, great point about stuff staying out there FOREVER!!

It's true, and how cool that you will be quoted. Just goes to show that if you post it, they will come.

I posted a cheesy testimonial about a skateboard ramp I bought for my son 7 years ago and if you google my name it STILL shows up! LOL!

I thought radon systems were relatively inexpensive to install. Why cut corners like that?

This is why blogging is great PR :)

Amy: I'll chime in... forever, and ever, ever, and ever, and ever... like any small town.

JUL

Bob - don't know that there were actual "systems" installed at all...

Integrity - Very awesome, thanks!

Christopher and Stephanie - I agree, thanks!

Thank you, Rebecca!

Mary - Truly amazing

Sharon - I'm sure you're exactly right.

Thanks Joe!

Jean - Exactly! If only teenagers would understand this concept...

Erica & Gary - absolutely!

Tammy - apparently that's true (just watched Field of Dreams the other day...very quotable movie and one of my favorites!)

Loree - Oh that's funny! You have learned this lesson!!

Russ - Who knows???

Demos - Right on...or should I say, write on? :)

Rene - Yep!

JUL

Amy: It's totally strange to be contacted on blogs like that. I remember getting an email from our state representative in the state legislature over a public health issue in my area. He sent me his written statement as if I were a newspaper like the Washington Post. One of those moments when you scratch your head and think, "It was just a blog."

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