Round Rock firm falsely promised home ownership, suit says

By Juan Castillo

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

A Round Rock-based real estate firm defrauded homebuyers by falsely promising them ownership when the houses were actually owned by the firm’s owner and his wife, the state attorney general’s office said Wednesday.

In a lawsuit filed in Travis County, Attorney General Greg Abbott alleges that Fern Hernandez Realty Inc.; its owner, licensed real estate broker Jose Fernando “Fern” Hernandez; and his wife, Odessa S. Hernandez of Georgetown; participated in a scam that targeted Spanish-speaking homebuyers.

Jose Fernando Hernandez declined to comment Wednesday.

State investigators said Hernandez advertised his brokerage services on Spanish-language television and radio. Fern Hernandez Realty sometimes did business as Su Casa el Sueño Americano, which means “your house the American dream.”

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