Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20580

March 19, 2007

Dear Ms. Majoras:

There are serious legal concerns that need to be addressed by the Commission. The issue is the omission of material facts on advertising for real estate that is located in state designated high risk landslide hazard zones.

Mountain slope properties in Western North Carolina are being marketed in national and local newspapers as prime real estate investments. The development companies sponsoring these advertisements are not disclosing to prospective buyers that all 21 counties of Western North Carolina are located in state declared high risk landslide hazard districts. This lack of disclosure is unfair and puts the public at a serious disadvantage.

In September 2004 fifteen counties in Western North Carolina were declared federal disaster areas after storms activated 140 landslides. These landslides caused loss of life and extensive property damage. Although there has not yet been a repeat of the wide spread devastation of 2004, there is growing evidence that homeowners all over the region are experiencing severe property loss.

The following development companies advertise mountain property for sale in Western North Carolina.

cliffscommunities.com
thesettings.com
ultimacarolina.com
reynoldsmountain.com
mountainaircc.com
ginncompany.com
scenicwolfresort.com

Landslides are frequent, dangerous, and uninsurable events in Western North Carolina. The public expects and the law should require that any information that would affect the value and safety of real property be revealed. For more information about landslides in Western North Carolina, please visit WNCSOS.COM

Thank you for your interest in this very serious matter.

Sincerely,

Lynne Vogel
(828)689-3045

Enclosures