WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. -- When the nation's oldest homebuilder, Levitt and Sons, went bankrupt, it left behind a big mess for dozens of Central Florida home buyers. Several lost thousands of dollars in deposits, others have lost their home warranties and some are even getting threatening letters from Levitt's creditors.

At Jesup's Reserve in Winter Springs, the streets aren't done, the pool and community center are locked up and the sales staff disappeared. When Levitt and Sons filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it left behind a big mess for residents like Cyndi Summers.

"There's rotting wood, huge chunks of concrete, there's brick. All these are becoming overgrown," she said.

Technically, Levitt still controls the homeowner's association, but the employees on the board have been laid off and can't be reached. Cyndi even got a letter from a contractor threatening to put lien on her home because Levitt owes money.

It gets worse.

Some people who put thousands of dollars in deposits down for a new home have been told they may lose their money. It all depends on what bankruptcy court decides.

"If I would've known this, I would've bought somewhere else," said Pete Hooker.

Hooker had problems with his home and found out his warranty is now worthless.

"You buy a new house and you think you are gonna have a warranty like the one they promised you and they aren't doing anything to hold up their end of the bargain," Hooker said.

Levitt says it can no longer honor warranties, but its eventual goal is to try and build some homes or sell developments so that the work can get finished. Until then, people's deposits, their homes and lives are in limbo.

The residents at Jesup's Reserve have formed a group to try and deal with Levitt and their homeowner's association that doesn't really exist any more.

Jesup's Reserve isn't alone. There are several communities throughout Florida and the U.S. that Levitt and Sons was trying to build.

Levitt and Sons isn't the only builder having trouble in the slumping housing market, either. Just last week, Tousa, the parent company of Engle Homes, announced it is considering filing bankruptcy. The decision is delaying part of the town center project in Winter Springs. The company also left about 300 homes partially finished.