An Arizona couple, Elizabeth Matthews and her husband, are in a legal fight after paying more than $400,000 to a home builder but still have two unfinished homes. The builder, Settlers West Home Builder LLC, run by brothers Andrew and Gabriel Carranza, stopped work and later filed for bankruptcy, leaving the couple frustrated and stuck.
The Dream Home and Guest House Plans
In May 2022, Matthews and her husband signed a contract with Settlers West Home Builder to build their dream home in the Catalina foothills for over $1 million. They paid $150,000 upfront as a deposit, mostly using a bank loan. The company started work, but delays soon began.
Later that year, the builder convinced the couple to also build a guest house on the property for more than $300,000. The couple paid another $150,000 upfront in cash after selling their old home, even though they didn’t have the money at the time.
Delays and Missing Money
The couple faced many delays, especially in getting permits. They paid more money for upgrades—$105,000 for the guest house and $60,000 for the main house—but construction barely progressed. Photos showed only the basic frame of the guest house by late 2023.
When the couple asked for their deposit back, they were told no. Settlers West Home Builder eventually filed for bankruptcy in December 2023.
Legal Action and License Revoked
After the bankruptcy, Matthews and her husband sued the builder for fraud. Before their case, at least 18 other complaints had been filed against Settlers West Home Builder. In February 2024, the company’s license was revoked.
Now, the couple faces the challenge of spending at least another $400,000 with a new builder just to finish the homes.
A Warning for Others
Matthews hopes their experience will warn others to avoid similar problems. Unfortunately, many Americans have lost money to property scams, including a couple who lost $15,000 on a house that wasn’t for sale and another person who lost $255,000 through a scam email.
Elizabeth Matthews and her husband’s story is a reminder to be cautious when working with home builders. Delays, missing money, and unfinished projects can lead to costly and stressful problems. It’s important to research builders carefully and protect yourself from scams.