From Dream Homes to Nightmares: A Tale of Deceit in the North Georgia Mountains

Picture of Jason BrysonPhoto byChannel 2 News

In the tranquil seclusion of the North Georgia mountains, families were tantalized by a builder's promise of crafting their dream homes, their sanctuaries. Yet, their dreams were shattered when they were left with structures only half-realized and a pile of unpaid bills. The builder, having pocketed millions, vanished leaving homeowners asking: where has all the money gone?

Justin Gray, a consumer investigator from Channel 2, delved into the mystery surrounding Jason Bryson and his company, Higher Ground Builders. As the investigation unfolded, the law caught up with Bryson. Arrested and charged, he now faces a future threatened by decades in prison.

Rodney Jones and Chuck Capo, intended occupants of their retirement dream homes in the North Georgia mountains, found themselves in a quagmire. Work on their homes came to an abrupt halt in April 2022. "We were swindled,” Jones expressed his disillusionment.

Howard Wells, a retired law enforcement officer from Florida, echoed the sentiment. His retirement dream had morphed into a living nightmare. "The interior was nothing but bare studs," Wells lamented, showing Gray the skeleton of his would-be mountain retreat.

Howard and his wife Judy, like many others, had to acquire new skills, such as hanging drywall, to progress their stalled project. Judy was often overwhelmed with despair, Howard confessed.

Bryson and Higher Ground Builders had been engaged by both homeowners, along with dozens of others. The builder had, however, failed to complete any of the projects. Tom Brice, another victim, was of the opinion that the abundance of zeros in Bryson's bank account may have clouded his ethics.

Brice, with his wife, had planned to escape South Georgia's heat and bugs, only to discover that their new home had 24 major construction violations. Furthermore, they learned that vendors, despite being paid by Higher Ground Builders, were not always receiving their dues.

Unexpectedly, the homeowners were confronted with legal action from unpaid vendors. "We were served with civil papers. They threatened to seize and sell our house,” Wells divulged. He and his wife now have liens on their property worth over $27,000. Jones and Capo were similarly affected.

In March, Bryson's run came to an end with his arrest in Fannin County. A grand jury indicted him on 13 felony charges including conversion of payments for real property improvements and theft of services. Bryson, presently out on bail, also faces charges in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

When Gray tried to contact Bryson at his residence and a past construction site, he only managed to record a video of Bryson fleeing from the Channel 2 Action News team. Bryson, mired in debt amounting to nearly $3 million, has since filed for bankruptcy.

For the families left grappling with incomplete homes, the financial burden is staggering. Brice shared that the cost to finish his home was 80% more than his initial budget. Bryson, however, has deflected blame, citing inflation and alleging that some witnesses owe him money.

Jones and Capo, despite the setbacks, are still hopeful of seeing their dream home completed. They visit the site daily, sometimes to plant flowers or just gaze at the view, dreaming of what could have been.

Bryson's contracting license remains intact, and his wife, previously associated with Higher Ground Builders, has begun a new venture named Stand the Gap Construction. However, Bryson's bond agreement prohibits him from building until his trial concludes.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s website advises prospective homeowners to take precautions when dealing with builders. These include seeking referrals from trusted sources, obtaining written estimates from multiple contractors, and verifying references. Furthermore, it's crucial to have a contractual agreement in writing, establish clear start and completion dates, align payments with completed work stages, and importantly, refrain from paying for unfinished work.

Even as this saga continues to unfold, the victims find themselves in a precarious position. Not only are they financially drained, but they're also grappling with the emotional toll of their shattered dreams. This tale serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence when entrusting someone with the task of building not just a house, but a home.

Although Bryson's actions have left a trail of unfinished homes and broken dreams, the resilience of the victims remains unbroken. They are determined to see their dream homes completed, turning the mountains of North Georgia into their promised sanctuaries, one brick at a time.

About the Author

Surjes is a versatile writer, covering a wide range of trendy topics with an engaging and insightful style. She consistently captures the pulse of what's current and exciting, making her a must-follow author on Newsbreak. Away from the keyboard, Surjes applies her entrepreneurial spirit to her online health supplement business, PurePurity, where she offers quality, natural health products to a global audience.

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