Deed restrictions

[Bikehike]

Some people that move to The Villages really struggle with the deed restrictions. I don't think people realize the compromises necessary to live in a deed restricted community even though they are told upfront about the restrictions. I think they believe the restrictions will not be enforced. It seems like people that moved from a deed restricted community have certain expectations that differ from people that moved from a non-restricted community, and they disagree on the value and benefits of deed restrictions. The best example I can give is a person who moves into a patio Villa and has outgrown it in 6 months and they begin to modify the patio Villa to their needs. One example would be putting rocks in the front yard to be able to park three cars at the location. They rely on peer pressure to look the other way and not speak up or object to their interpretation of the rules. I think that's why a lot of opinions may vary and I'm interested to hear what people think?

People move here for different reasons some people want the lifestyle the activities some people want a nice place to live. I guess it depends on what your priorities are in that regard and what's more important to you.

This is just a general discussion I'm not looking for help or information about deed restrictions.

[vintageogauge]

They are common sense restrictions and should not be a problem for anyone to abide by. Putting rocks in your lawn to turn it into a parking lot is not common sense.

[Stu from NYC]

An hardly anyone reads them anyway

[frose]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

[retiredguy123]

An hardly anyone reads them anyway
I do

[Keefelane66]

As th OP referenced example of 3 vehicles at patio villa there are no ladies driving around reporting violations to deed restrictions it’s one neighbor turning in another quite simple those two ladies driving around could have no idea your lifestyle unless they live in your neighborhood!

[Kenswing]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

It’s called due diligence. The deed restrictions are easily found online.

[billethkid]

Compromise?
Pink flamingos?
What some had before moving here?

Never mind.....Answer is obvious.

[Bill14564]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

Your real estate person should have informed you that you were looking at a deed-restricted neighborhood. The restrictions are online, were likely presented to you before closing, and were certainly part of closing. If you weren't aware of them until after you closed then you weren't paying attention.

Allowing pink flamingos would be moving back to the 50s.

[tophcfa]

The deed restrictions are there for a reason, without them the Villages wouldn’t have the same look or feel. I just wish they wouldn’t be selectively enforced. Why aren’t the restrictions enforced that prohibits homes being used for activities other than single family residential use or running a business out of one’s home? Enforcement of those restrictions would stop the neighborhood disrupting short term renting of rooms in one’s home while they live there (Air B&B’s). I would rather have a neighborhood full of homes with little white crosses than a next door neighbor using their home as a revolving door of short term rentals.

[Bill14564]

The deed restrictions are there for a reason, without them the Villages wouldn’t have the same look or feel. I just wish they wouldn’t be selectively enforced. Why aren’t the restrictions enforced that prohibits homes being used for activities other than single family residential use or running a business out of one’s home? Enforcement of those restrictions would stop the neighborhood disrupting short term renting of rooms in one’s home while they live there (Air B&B’s). I would rather have a neighborhood full of homes with little white crosses than a next door neighbor using their home as a revolving door of short term rentals.

Take a look at the text in the restrictions concerning businesses. Mine only prohibits commercial activity that requires maintaining an inventory, equipment, or customer visits.

[tophcfa]

Take a look at the text in the restrictions concerning businesses. Mine only prohibits commercial activity that requires maintaining an inventory, equipment, or customer visits.

Wouldn’t renting a room in one’s home be considered customer visits? Sounds like what is being prohibited is designed to not keep people from working remotely online from their home, which makes perfect sense.

[Laker14]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

Nothing screams "21st Century!!" like a pink flamingo.

[Bill14564]

Wouldn’t renting a room in one’s home be considered customer visits? Sounds like what is being prohibited is designed to not keep people from working remotely online from their home, which makes perfect sense.

Technically, I suppose renters could be considered customers but I doubt that was the intent. All the things listed would require additional traffic to the home above what you would expect from a residence. Renters would not add any traffic.

But there's an easy way to find out - make a complaint to Community Standards and see what they tell you.

[frose]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

[golfing eagles]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

Good luck getting your property tax paid or having them **** off. Don’t think you’ll last long here

[coffeebean]

Your real estate person should have informed you that you were looking at a deed-restricted neighborhood. The restrictions are online, were likely presented to you before closing, and were certainly part of closing. If you weren't aware of them until after you closed then you weren't paying attention.

Allowing pink flamingos would be moving back to the 50s.

I took that "pink flamingo" comment to be tongue in cheek. We all know pink flamingos are tacky, tacky, tacky.

I've seen beautiful looking flamingos (not pink) that enhance the landscape and I have no objection to them. I am aware those nice flamingos are also against most deed restrictions in The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

Leaving?
You will not be missed……

[Marathon Man]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

1. No one tells you what you can and cannot do with your property. You told yourself what you can and cannot do the second you signed the contract agreeing to the deed restrictions.

2. Buh Bye

[Bill14564]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

If you are really that sure that you did not sign the deed restrictions then go ahead and put up your pink flamingo and see how it goes. If no one reports it then you're fine. If someone does report it then you can roll out your "**** off" attitude and your emphatic denial that you ever signed the restrictions that 70,000+ others have signed. You might be the one they forgot.

[coffeebean]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

You honestly did not know this is a deed restricted community until AFTER you closed? That really surprises me. Take a look around and you can tell this community is pristine. IMHO, deed restrictions is what it takes to have a pristine looking community.

[coffeebean]

If you are really that sure that you did not sign the deed restrictions then go ahead and put up your pink flamingo and see how it goes. If no one reports it then you're fine. If someone does report it then you can roll out your "**** off" attitude and your emphatic denial that you ever signed the restrictions that 70,000+ others have signed. You might be the one they forgot.

Why does the OP insist he/she wasn't told of the deed restriction in The Villages? Why doesn't the OP go through his/her closing documents. The signed deed restrictions should be among those papers. Case closed.

[golfing eagles]

Why does the OP insist he/she wasn't told of the deed restriction in The Villages? Why doesn't the OP go through his/her closing documents. The signed deed restrictions should be among those papers. Case closed.

In all fairness, we all know what closing is like-----50 or 60 signatures on a mountain of paper. Probably that person doesn't remember signing deed restrictions and has now convinced himself he never was told about them or signed. Bottom line----it doesn't matter----abide by the deed restrictions, violate them and live with the consequences, or move. Three obvious choices.

[Altavia]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

It seems there should be a mechanism to update if approved by a majority of the home owners.

There are areas for example where far more than 50% of the homes have similar non compliances.

[Bogie Shooter]

It seems there should be a mechanism to update if approved by a majority of the home owners.

There are areas for example where far more than 50% of the homes have similar non compliances.

Majority of home owners? Can’t get a consensus on when dusk occurs.:1rotfl:

[Trayderjoe]

In all fairness, we all know what closing is like-----50 or 60 signatures on a mountain of paper. Probably that person doesn't remember signing deed restrictions and has now convinced himself he never was told about them or signed. Bottom line----it doesn't matter----abide by the deed restrictions, violate them and live with the consequences, or move. Three obvious choices.

I agree with the three obvious choices you cited. I would say in my opinion, that if someone forgets signing an important document in a pile of documents, it couldn’t have been that important to them at the time it was signed.

Based solely on anecdotal evidence it seems that when faced with the large number of documents that needs to be signed, there are those who don’t read every document, but glance and sign. I am not saying everyone does it that way, but I refuse to sign or initial any document that I haven’t read and understood. I will take as much of the sales person’s time or office time as I need. Blank spaces to be filled in later? The document is not ready for my signature.

[Stu from NYC]

I do

I am sure you do but think you are in a small minority of people doing so. I had a rough idea of what is allowed, but did not take the time to read thru the whole thing at closing (but should have) and have learned a lot more on here.

[Bill14564]

I am sure you do but think you are in a small minority of people doing so. I had a rough idea of what is allowed, but did not take the time to read thru the whole thing at closing (but should have) and have learned a lot more on here.

I did the same thing. At closing you are signing a stack of paper large enough you can measure it with a ruler. Much (most? all?) of it is standard boilerplate with your specific details filled in.

Is there really a chance that someone is going to notice a detail in one of those documents and decide they are not going to purchase the house? "I was really looking forward to buying this house but I won't do it if I can't put pink flamingos in the yard."

If someone wants to live in the Villages then this is the stack of paper they are going to sign. A buyer can puff up and say they are going to keep everyone here until they read and understand every paragraph but in the end either they sign it or they forfeit their deposit. There really is no negotiation: just like software EULAs, you click the button, sign the papers, or go somewhere else.

I did spend a considerable amount of time reading the details later. Fortunately, I never planned on raising a flock of pink flamingo statues.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I am sure you do but think you are in a small minority of people doing so. I had a rough idea of what is allowed, but did not take the time to read thru the whole thing at closing (but should have) and have learned a lot more on here.

Point being is you knew you signed a whole bunch of documents, involving lots of pages of stuff. You knew you didn't read each page of each document carefully, but you know you have them and signed them. If pressed, you would be able to check on your copy of those documents, to see what's in them when circumstances required it.

This frose person insists that he wasn't TOLD about anything. He signed documents, but has he even checked those documents to see what, exactly, he signed? Doubtful.

Or he's just making up a troll story for us to respond to, and doesn't even own property here in the Villages at all. That's always a possibility. He could be someone's grand-kid on summer break.

[golfing eagles]

Point being is you knew you signed a whole bunch of documents, involving lots of pages of stuff. You knew you didn't read each page of each document carefully, but you know you have them and signed them. If pressed, you would be able to check on your copy of those documents, to see what's in them when circumstances required it.

This frose person insists that he wasn't TOLD about anything. He signed documents, but has he even checked those documents to see what, exactly, he signed? Doubtful.

Or he's just making up a troll story for us to respond to, and doesn't even own property here in the Villages at all. That's always a possibility. He could be someone's grand-kid on summer break.

Not all that much for grandkids to do here, so a distinct possibility.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[MrFlorida]

I like the deed restrictions, that's why I moved here.

[retiredguy123]

I like the deed restrictions, that's why I moved here.
Me too.

Now, if they would just make the noise restrictions more measurable, and ban wind chimes. I could live with the pink flamingos.

[drcar]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

bye bye

[drcar]

I like the deed restrictions, that's why I moved here.

I agree with you, of course I did the correct thing BEFORE moving here, I asked questions and research The Villages, and there were no surprises when I arrived. When you make a life changing choice shame on anyone who states "I didn't KNOW!

[Kenswing]

I agree with you, of course I did the correct thing BEFORE moving here, I asked questions and research The Villages, and there were no surprises when I arrived. When you make a life changing choice shame on anyone who states "I didn't KNOW!

Exactly. I started reading this forum about five years before we actually moved here. I knew the deed restrictions before we even bought our lot.

[coffeebean]

I agree with the three obvious choices you cited. I would say in my opinion, that if someone forgets signing an important document in a pile of documents, it couldn’t have been that important to them at the time it was signed.

Based solely on anecdotal evidence it seems that when faced with the large number of documents that needs to be signed, there are those who don’t read every document, but glance and sign. I am not saying everyone does it that way, but I refuse to sign or initial any document that I haven’t read and understood. I will take as much of the sales person’s time or office time as I need. Blank spaces to be filled in later? The document is not ready for my signature.

All the closings (including our two Villages homes) I have been to, before any signature if affixed to a legal document, the document is explained to me so I have a general idea what the document is stating. Read all the documents at closing from top to bottom? Hardly. That would take a couple of hours and I would not slow down the process. I do, however, want to know the gist of every document I'm signing or will not affix my signature.

[Trayderjoe]

I did the same thing. At closing you are signing a stack of paper large enough you can measure it with a ruler. Much (most? all?) of it is standard boilerplate with your specific details filled in.

Is there really a chance that someone is going to notice a detail in one of those documents and decide they are not going to purchase the house? "I was really looking forward to buying this house but I won't do it if I can't put pink flamingos in the yard."

If someone wants to live in the Villages then this is the stack of paper they are going to sign. A buyer can puff up and say they are going to keep everyone here until they read and understand every paragraph but in the end either they sign it or they forfeit their deposit. There really is no negotiation: just like software EULAs, you click the button, sign the papers, or go somewhere else.

I did spend a considerable amount of time reading the details later. Fortunately, I never planned on raising a flock of pink flamingo statues.

In my case, we bought a new home and yes, there was no negotiation on price. I did not however, put down a non-refundable deposit. Perhaps because I bought an existing home from the developer, or something in the process changed, but in any case I would not sign a binding agreement unless/until all conditions were identified in that agreement which would be incumbent upon me to understand. If the sales agent told me that I had to do so or not be able to buy a home here, I would have walked away. Note that I very much enjoy living here, but I worked too hard to have the ability to buy a home here to blindly agree to unknown conditions. Having said that, if a person did blindly enter into such an agreement, then they lose any right to complain after the fact. They could of course choose to sell their home and leave, ironically, unless there was a condition on the timing of such a sale that was part of the documents they choose not to read before signing.

[coffeebean]

I like the deed restrictions, that's why I moved here.

Same here. The deed restrictions keep this place looking beautiful.

[coffeebean]

Me too.

Now, if they would just make the noise restrictions more measurable, and ban wind chimes. I could live with the pink flamingos.

Wind chimes work on my last nerve. It doesn't matter how beautiful they sound. Wind chimes, when they are "singing" is noise pollution to me because I do not want to listen to them. Agree about banning them.

[coffeebean]

I agree with you, of course I did the correct thing BEFORE moving here, I asked questions and research The Villages, and there were no surprises when I arrived. When you make a life changing choice shame on anyone who states "I didn't KNOW!

Agree......That is called "due diligence".

[golfing eagles]

Wind chimes work on my last nerve. It doesn't matter how beautiful they sound. Wind chimes, when they are "singing" is noise pollution to me because I do not want to listen to them. Agree about banning them.

I wonder if they'll pass the same 25 foot restriction on wind chimes as they did on car stereos

[Whitley]

I refuse to stare out the window all day on the off chance that a pink flamingo (aren't they all) lands on my lawn, resulting in the need for me to go and chase it off lest I get an HOA violation.

[Bogie Shooter]

I refuse to stare out the window all day on the off chance that a pink flamingo (aren't they all) lands on my lawn, resulting in the need for me to go and chase it off lest I get an HOA violation.

What HOA?

[Whitley]

I like the deed restrictions, that's why I moved here.


Really? Seriously? you moved to the Villages because they have deed restrictions. OK. I do understand it playing a part. In NY we had one man angry at the local government architectural review board.He wanted double pane storm windows with the woodenseperators snapped on so it looked like multiple panes. The ARB would only accept actual individual panes held in by the pins, putty and wood. He found something that was not addressed in the docs. You had to have your home either natural cedar, stone, or painted using colors in existence in 1903 (year the town was founded). It did not say you needed to pick one color. He painted each cedar shake a different color (total of 9 colors so it was an assortment of 9 repeating colors. Deed restrictions may have been good.

[Altavia]

Wind chimes work on my last nerve. It doesn't matter how beautiful they sound. Wind chimes, when they are "singing" is noise pollution to me because I do not want to listen to them. Agree about banning them.

A majority of people might vote to add that restriction ;-)

[Bogie Shooter]

A majority of people might vote to add that restriction ;-)

I am not aware that we have a vote?

[Stu from NYC]

All the closings (including our two Villages homes) I have been to, before any signature if affixed to a legal document, the document is explained to me so I have a general idea what the document is stating. Read all the documents at closing from top to bottom? Hardly. That would take a couple of hours and I would not slow down the process. I do, however, want to know the gist of every document I'm signing or will not affix my signature.

One would have to hope that the person doing the explaining is doing a fair job of doing so. If not good luck.

[coffeebean]

One would have to hope that the person doing the explaining is doing a fair job of doing so. If not good luck.

To be honest, the "explaining" of each document sounds more like a script. The closing agents must know these forms backwards and forwards and must say those same descriptions over and over and over.

[Djean1981]

We received our closing documents (including deed restrictions) via email, through DocuSign, in advance of our closing appointment.

[Velvet]

Really? Seriously? you moved to the Villages because they have deed restrictions. OK. I do understand it playing a part. In NY we had one man angry at the local government architectural review board.He wanted double pane storm windows with the woodenseperators snapped on so it looked like multiple panes. The ARB would only accept actual individual panes held in by the pins, putty and wood. He found something that was not addressed in the docs. You had to have your home either natural cedar, stone, or painted using colors in existence in 1903 (year the town was founded). It did not say you needed to pick one color. He painted each cedar shake a different color (total of 9 colors so it was an assortment of 9 repeating colors. Deed restrictions may have been good.

Yes, me too. I like the deed restrictions. They help, to a certain extent, for you to know what to expect of the community. Cut grass, trimmed bushes, no psychedelic colored houses etc.
But… no one told me about them either. I was given the specific deed restrictions AFTER I signed the documents, in fact, after closing. It did not bother me only because my parents already told me what it was like to be told what you need to do in TV.

When one says, no one tells me what to do with my property, really, what about property taxes? Right away someone is telling you what to do. Personal freedom only goes so far. However, I can understand the surprise of someone who has never lived in a deed restricted place to suddenly, without warning, be facing it. I recommend one try it for a while. They might get to like it.

[Topspinmo]

Some people that move to The Villages really struggle with the deed restrictions. I don't think people realize the compromises necessary to live in a deed restricted community even though they are told upfront about the restrictions. I think they believe the restrictions will not be enforced. It seems like people that came from a deed restricted community have certain expectations that differ from people that came from a single family non-restricted community, and they disagree on the value and benefits of deed restrictions. The best example I can give is a person who moves into a patio Villa and has outgrown it in 6 months and they begin to modify the patio Villa to their needs. One example would be putting rocks in the front yard to be able to park three cars at the location. They rely on peer pressure to look the other way and not speak up or object to their interpretation of the rules. I think that's why a lot of opinions may vary and I'm interested to hear what people think?

People move here for different reasons some people want the lifestyle the activities some people want a nice place to live. I guess it depends on what your priorities are in that regard and what's more important to you.

This is just a general discussion I'm not looking for help or information about deed restrictions.

Even community standards struggle with dead restrictions.

[MartinSE]

Yes, me too. I like the deed restrictions. They help, to a certain extent, for you to know what to expect of the community. Cut grass, trimmed bushes, no psychedelic colored houses etc.
But… no one told me about them either. I was given the specific deed restrictions AFTER I signed the documents, in fact, after closing. It did not bother me only because my parents already told me what it was like to be told what you need to do in TV.

When one says, no one tells me what to do with my property, really, what about property taxes? Right away someone is telling you what to do. Personal freedom only goes so far. However, I can understand the surprise of someone who has never lived in a deed restricted place to suddenly, without warning, be facing it. I recommend one try it for a while. They might get to like it.

Precisely. BTW, just curious did you buy a pre-owned home from a realtor, or a home from The Villages sales? I just ask, because our buying experience was excellent and we were not rushed, and we got to read everything and ask as many questions as we wanted, while staff brought us refreshments. It was the most pleasant home buying experience we have ever had. It always surprises me when someone says they didn't get to read the docs before signing.

I don't doubt you, I am just curious if some Villages sales staff are different or if the routine you mentioned was from an outside relator.

[MandoMan]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

Up front? They are all online. I read them and studied them and compared them before making an offer on a house. Didn’t you? You signed a form saying you agreed to them BEFORE you finished closing.

Most people in The Villages LIKE the restrictions. That’s part of what keeps our homes uniform and beautiful and keeps property values climbing. For those who don’t like them, there are plenty of houses for sale “outside” for much less money. If you don’t want to move because you like the amenities, then also make peace with the deed restrictions.

You may say, “It’s just some gravel” or “it’s just an extra parking place” or “it’s only a flamingo or a cross,” but if only you knew what your next door neighbors would do to their house if they could. They want to put a bathtub on end in the front garden with a plastic cast of your least favorite politician in it, as a shrine. And they want to use their replaced toilet in the garden as a birdbath. They think it would be cute. They want a life size black plywood cutout of a woman bending over to pull weeds (or something). They want to put a family of large smurfs in the garden. They want to rescue lots of pit bulls, or die trying.

[Worldseries27]

your real estate person should have informed you that you were looking at a deed-restricted neighborhood. The restrictions are online, were likely presented to you before closing, and were certainly part of closing. If you weren't aware of them until after you closed then you weren't paying attention.

Allowing pink flamingos would be moving back to the 50s.
it's very simple. Flamingos are out but man eating alligators in our ponds are in.
Who's running this asylum?
I know, i know.

[midiwiz]

Some people that move to The Villages really struggle with the deed restrictions. I don't think people realize the compromises necessary to live in a deed restricted community even though they are told upfront about the restrictions. I think they believe the restrictions will not be enforced. It seems like people that came from a deed restricted community have certain expectations that differ from people that came from a single family non-restricted community, and they disagree on the value and benefits of deed restrictions. The best example I can give is a person who moves into a patio Villa and has outgrown it in 6 months and they begin to modify the patio Villa to their needs. One example would be putting rocks in the front yard to be able to park three cars at the location. They rely on peer pressure to look the other way and not speak up or object to their interpretation of the rules. I think that's why a lot of opinions may vary and I'm interested to hear what people think?

People move here for different reasons some people want the lifestyle the activities some people want a nice place to live. I guess it depends on what your priorities are in that regard and what's more important to you.

This is just a general discussion I'm not looking for help or information about deed restrictions.

After legally dealing with Deed Restrictions for 4 years, what I can tell you is for themost part they are difficult to defend unless you "own the court". Many restrictions that are filed are not able to withstand the test of trial and most notably on the Federal level (There is federal governance over deed restrictions)

With that said, most restrictions are vague swiss cheese. They are in place because the generation changed, people from (sorry guys but it is true) other parts of the country invade the area and think it's a whatever goes. What we don't realize, as I learned myself, we came from a "leave it to beaver" type of area. No one did anything out of the ordinary, grass always perfect, weeds pulled, etc. we moved to Florida and wow who has chickens next door? why are they parking on the grass? ... answer is simple - not everyone is from the same place and has different structure.

The easy answer, even though it's taken wrong, is deed restrictions. Why is it taken wrong? truth of the matter - it does NOTHING for your property values. I have seen homes in a deed restricted area go for just as much as the next one - kept or unkept. The buyers do not care enough to effect the market pricing. All it really does is attempt to create a common ground of structure amongst the neighborhood.

Are they taken far too seriously? Absolutely! In an entire list of restrictions there are only a handful that matter. These guys have far over reached to whicih point a lot of the restrictions can be contested and defeated as long as it's not judiciated within the reach of TV. That includes Federal level - which would kill at least half the existing restrictions. Including the reclamation water, lawn ornaments, etc. aka the minor do nothings as they are called. The ones that would stand on either court are the work trucks, and things like that.

I spent all of those 4 years dealing in both levels and many situations. Don't get frustrated about it Things are able to be changed. This is why there are CDDs and it's not a HOA, the thinking was to escape the HOA bond of restrictions and other legal items - in checking with an old friend - no longer matters. Deed restrictions are Deed restrictions period.

[merrymini]

Good bye to all those that do not like the deed restrictions. Hope you find a happier place!

[Dabatts]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.


I had a copy of my deed restrictions weeks before I closed. I received them when I paid my deposit.

[paulajr]

Bye…if you move into ANY deed restricted area it is on you to know the rules. Because you didn’t pay attention doesn’t excuse your ignorance. Sorry…the rest of us all appreciate the beauty of this place and don’t want it changed.


don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

[Hape2Bhr]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

When and what will you be selling? I have a friend looking to move here. :read:

[airstreamingypsy]

Allowing pink flamingos would be moving back to the 50s.

Ironic, since the USA is headed toward the 50s.

[Maybelle]

Bye bye!

[sallyg]

Too lazy or uninformed to check? I suspect it's more like disregarding or entitlement.

[TomPerry]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.
Sounds like you didn’t do your due diligence before you bought. If you want a pink flamingo in your front yard, why didn’t you buy in a cheap trailer park?

[MrFlorida]

To all those who don't like deed restrictions , how would you feel if your neighbor liked to work on cars and change engines on his front lawn? Running air compressors and welding at all hours ? I'll take the deed restrictions knowing that this will not happen. And yes, it did happen to us at our last location...

[Velvet]

Precisely. BTW, just curious did you buy a pre-owned home from a realtor, or a home from The Villages sales? I just ask, because our buying experience was excellent and we were not rushed, and we got to read everything and ask as many questions as we wanted, while staff brought us refreshments. It was the most pleasant home buying experience we have ever had. It always surprises me when someone says they didn't get to read the docs before signing.

I don't doubt you, I am just curious if some Villages sales staff are different or if the routine you mentioned was from an outside relator.

I bought a pre-owned home from realtor who was very unhelpful in every way. She wanted control of everything even after the sale, to manage the property etc. For example, she did not want to let me have the house keys after closing and I had to get the title people involved. They were surprised, said it was not their business and I said if they wanted me to pay them, it was.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

So you didn't read your contract or your closing documents? It's very clearly communicated before you close if you simply read...I also refused to sign the page that says that they can amend them and notify me electronically at both of my closings and the Villages sent out a Sr. Sales-manager to try to persuade me otherwise to no avail. You must read what you sign, and if you don't understand it consult someone who does to explain it to you before you sign it.

[bilcon]

Buyer Beware! I am sure you heard of that legal term. There are plenty of places in the country to live besides TV, where there are no deed restrictions and you can put up 8' chicken wire fences with pit bulls behind them, and paint your house orange. I am all for Deed restrictions, and I knew them before I bought here. Just my opinion.

"I never made a mistake in my life. I thought I did once, but I was wrong."

[Two Bills]

For those suffering 'Pink Flamingo' withdrawal due to deed restrictions, you are allowed to have a whole flock of them in your back yard.
The front yard is purely for Little White Crosses.:angel:

[Laker14]

I don't necessarily agree with each and every restriction, however, I'll take the ones I don't love along with the batch, so that I can live in a place as neat and pretty as TV. It's not for everyone. There is no point in living somewhere that makes you miserable.

I'm sure there's a place for just about everybody, and fortunately for those who find TV to be not their happy place, it's easy to get rid of a home in TV. Just call a realtor.

[lawgolfer]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

Pink Flamingos and similar statuary are one of many reasons The Villages has deed restrictions. Cars sitting on concrete blocks in the front lawn are another. The overall effect of the restrictions and the resulting appearance of the neighborhoods were major factors in the decision by most of us to move to The Villages.

I did have a laugh over the subject of pink flamingos. Fifteen years ago, when we began our search for a place to retire, we first looked at Las Vegas. The major development we initially agreed to consider seemed to have everything--several golf courses, a community center, access to medical care etc.

We arranged a visit. We were met by a representative of the developer and were given a map, passes for golf and the community center, coupons for free dinners etc. The representative laid out a route on the map to the area where homes were being built. We set off on our great adventure with a handful of brochures showing the houses from which we could choose, and with the hope we had found the place where we would live for the rest of our lives.

We followed the map to the first turn. As we made the turn, we were confronted by a house with a white gravel lawn and with 10 or more pink plastic flamingos scattered throughout the white gravel.

My wife yelled at me to stop and to turn around. We left and never looked back.

[mkjelenbaas]

Some people that move to The Villages really struggle with the deed restrictions. I don't think people realize the compromises necessary to live in a deed restricted community even though they are told upfront about the restrictions. I think they believe the restrictions will not be enforced. It seems like people that came from a deed restricted community have certain expectations that differ from people that came from a single family non-restricted community, and they disagree on the value and benefits of deed restrictions. The best example I can give is a person who moves into a patio Villa and has outgrown it in 6 months and they begin to modify the patio Villa to their needs. One example would be putting rocks in the front yard to be able to park three cars at the location. They rely on peer pressure to look the other way and not speak up or object to their interpretation of the rules. I think that's why a lot of opinions may vary and I'm interested to hear what people think?

People move here for different reasons some people want the lifestyle the activities some people want a nice place to live. I guess it depends on what your priorities are in that regard and what's more important to you.

This is just a general discussion I'm not looking for help or information about deed restrictions.
A d your point is?

[xcaligirl]

An hardly anyone reads them anyway
Because "they" feel it doesn't apply to them! Quite frustrating....

[Dilligas]

An hardly anyone reads them anyway
That is precisely the problem. Those that don't read them, think they are entitled to do what they think is right. In this situation, common sense is always up for interpetation.

[Dilligas]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.
Don't let the door hit you in the behind. You should have sold last year when you could have done so within a month. The fact that you did not read your closing documents is your fault not TV's.

[Lancer]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.

[Daddymac]

the restrictions are ridiculous and outdated I wish they would give you these things up front instead of after you close. Not to be allowed to have a pink flamingo on your lawn in florida is just stupid. I would to see them brought up to the 21st century.

You are one of the people who should NOT LIVE IN .. TV

[Indydealmaker]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

Your closing agent provided the deed restrictions as part of the title prep.

[Laidlaw193]

frose…..don’t let the door hit you in the a**. Good bye

[Holpat39]

don't tell me about paying attention.. when someone tells me what i can or cannot do with My property they better be paying my property taxes, or **** off. and real estate people are only selling "a lifestyle, not a home" and only are about the commission, there was never a mention of these restrictions before, during or after closing. we were told about them when we were getting our ID cards. I can only hope that someone will come to their senses and fix this..( i know, it's not broken) can't wait to leave!!

What a lousy attitude. We were told right up front regarding deed restrictions. What made you think you could live in this beautiful community without some type of restrictions to keep in conformity with the neighborhood. Deed restrictions keep home owners from making planters out of old used tires or wheelbarrows. Painting their houses red, white and blue, Planting sunflowers in their front yards. Deed restrictions are here for a good reason.

[mikeycereal]

What about yard gnomes?

[BigSteph]

A neighbor has a brass "wind chime." They are older -- I think they cannot hear it, but I do. Many houses away, it sounds like a single bell (dinner bell, school bell).

At times, when the blows, it is just a steady Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding. I want to throttle that neighbor, but I am trying to be decent. More and more, I'm feeling indecent.




Me too.

Now, if they would just make the noise restrictions more measurable, and ban wind chimes. I could live with the pink flamingos.

[BigSteph]

In my neighborhood, South of 44, a neighbor or two (depending on whose gossip you hear) replaced their entire yard with Zoysia. My significant other confirms one person has done it.

I don't care, I like Zoysia. The thing is, I want to do it too. I was told I could not.

I suspect it is expensive to re-sod. I wonder if that person will be required to re-sod with St. Augustine.

If you can change your grass, I think I'll start by overseeing with Bahia. I follow a guy on U-Tube who swears a mix of Bahia and St. Augustine go well together.

Fun with deed restrictions.

[BigSteph]

Oh man, this is my third post on the matter. I'm triggered.

Sorry.

[golfing eagles]

What about yard gnomes?

The two old ladies with the clipboard take care of them:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[njbchbum]

It seems there should be a mechanism to update if approved by a majority of the home owners.

There are areas for example where far more than 50% of the homes have similar non compliances.

If you are referencing the historic Villages - you're correct! Laen ornaments are permitted there according to their deed restrictions! You can look them up at the External Deed Restriction rules page - Lake County page 6 of 51 pages here https://www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/images/compliance-standards/LadyLake-LakeCounty_Rules.pdf?v=202011

And about that "mechanism" - these are deed restrictions implemented by the Developer - not HOA rules.

[frose]

When and what will you be selling? I have a friend looking to move here. :read: a designer begonia

[frose]

To all those who don't like deed restrictions , how would you feel if your neighbor liked to work on cars and change engines on his front lawn? Running air compressors and welding at all hours ? I'll take the deed restrictions knowing that this will not happen. And yes, it did happen to us at our last location...
my neighbors were ok with it when I repaired their car and got them going again, even with welding the broken part back together. (exhaust broke) saved them 1200$

[Velvet]

my neighbors were ok with it when I repaired their car and got them going again, even with welding the broken part back together. (exhaust broke) saved them 1200$

Depends probably on how often you make noise, once a month for an hour or two okay - but every day, you’d have to pay me more than $1200 to make it worth my while.

[Laker14]

What a lousy attitude. We were told right up front regarding deed restrictions. What made you think you could live in this beautiful community without some type of restrictions to keep in conformity with the neighborhood. Deed restrictions keep home owners from making planters out of old used tires or wheelbarrows. Painting their houses red, white and blue, Planting sunflowers in their front yards. Deed restrictions are here for a good reason.

Sunflowers? I love sunflowers. Oh well, you win some you lose some.

[frose]

so on the advise of all you great people of tv, I did go over all my closing paperwork and did not find any deed restriction paperwork until I got to the paperwork from the sumpter sales office when i received my id cards, well after the closing. No real estate agent, title company employee, attorney or any one else told us about the scope of the restrictions.. i don't mind restrictions to keep the place looking good, in fact I insist on them.. It's the ridiculous restrictions that I have an issue with.. my 26 year old lawyer grand daughter has to go to the family pool because she is not 30. I'm not going to go over all the ones i have an issue with, but that one is glaring.

[Marathon Man]

my neighbors were ok with it when I repaired their car and got them going again, even with welding the broken part back together. (exhaust broke) saved them 1200$

My money is on: After you are gone, you will continue to make negative comments about our community on this forum. Just like so many others. They just can't stay away.

[frose]

My money is on: After you are gone, you will continue to make negative comments about our community on this forum. Just like so many others. They just can't stay away.
I have no negative comments about tv. It’s the people who believe they are perfect I have an issue with

[golfing eagles]

so on the advise of all you great people of tv, I did go over all my closing paperwork and did not find any deed restriction paperwork until I got to the paperwork from the sumpter sales office when i received my id cards, well after the closing. No real estate agent, title company employee, attorney or any one else told us about the scope of the restrictions.. i don't mind restrictions to keep the place looking good, in fact I insist on them.. It's the ridiculous restrictions that I have an issue with.. my 26 year old lawyer grand daughter has to go to the family pool because she is not 30. I'm not going to go over all the ones i have an issue with, but that one is glaring.

OK, I'll bite:
WHY is the adult pool restriction of 30 "glaring"????

This is primarily a 55+ community, so what restriction would you place???? I suspect your cutoff age is 26, and next year it would be 27, etc.

You've never seen 20-30 year olds horsing around at a pool, yelling, running, jumping in dangerously close to some 90 year old who is just standing there? There are plenty of family pools she can go to, and if you open your wallet a bit, country club pools as well. I think you would find the overwhelming majority of Villagers support the age restriction.

[frose]

This is why this place is awful. The “people “ are really out for themselves and do not have an understanding of what is fair. Too old to change

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This is why this place is awful. The “people “ are really out for themselves and do not have an understanding of what is fair. Too old to change

"what is fair" is that people who choose to move into a planned community learn what the rules are before closing. They don't wait to be presented with the information. They ASK. In advance.

I spent a year asking, and didn't understand the answers. I didn't get why anyone would care about pink flamingos. I also didn't understand why, once it was explained about pink flamingos, why the rules were only enforced if residents tattled on each other.

In fact, I -still- don't get that. I hate that part of the system. The only way you can get someone to comply with the rules is if you or a neighbor turn against the other neighbor and submit a complaint officially. That doesn't make for friendly neighbors. It pits them against each other and absolves the ARC and Deed Compliance folks from responsibility.

That said, I knew what this place was about when I moved in. That was our choice - to learn the rules, and then decide which rules we could live with and which ones were deal-breakers.

It was another reason why we live in the area we do. We still have restrictions, but they are not as strict as the rest of the community. We do have some really -nice- flamingo statues and other lawn decorations on the neighbors' lawns - one next to us is amazingly realistic and awesome to see. I like that we're allowed to express our creative side here, that we don't look like Stepford, and no one can accuse anyone on our side of being with the Borg. We still have to keep our lawns mowed, we still have to get permission to widen our driveways, and so on and so forth.

[golfing eagles]

"what is fair" is that people who choose to move into a planned community learn what the rules are before closing. They don't wait to be presented with the information. They ASK. In advance.

I spent a year asking, and didn't understand the answers. I didn't get why anyone would care about pink flamingos. I also didn't understand why, once it was explained about pink flamingos, why the rules were only enforced if residents tattled on each other.

In fact, I -still- don't get that. I hate that part of the system. The only way you can get someone to comply with the rules is if you or a neighbor turn against the other neighbor and submit a complaint officially. That doesn't make for friendly neighbors. It pits them against each other and absolves the ARC and Deed Compliance folks from responsibility.

That said, I knew what this place was about when I moved in. That was our choice - to learn the rules, and then decide which rules we could live with and which ones were deal-breakers.

It was another reason why we live in the area we do. We still have restrictions, but they are not as strict as the rest of the community. We do have some really -nice- flamingo statues and other lawn decorations on the neighbors' lawns - one next to us is amazingly realistic and awesome to see. I like that we're allowed to express our creative side here, that we don't look like Stepford, and no one can accuse anyone on our side of being with the Borg. We still have to keep our lawns mowed, we still have to get permission to widen our driveways, and so on and so forth.

You tell 'em!

Resistance is futile:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You tell 'em!

Resistance is futile:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

We resisted. If we hadn't we'd be in a courtyard villa somewhere near/at the O'Dell Circle.

[golfing eagles]

We resisted. If we hadn't we'd be in a courtyard villa somewhere near/at the O'Dell Circle.

Not your brand of resistance, that of the OP

[Stu from NYC]

This is why this place is awful. The “people “ are really out for themselves and do not have an understanding of what is fair. Too old to change

So be happy you are not a part of this awful community. Wow still wondering why you care to post so much?

[Daxdog]

Some people that move to The Villages really struggle with the deed restrictions. I don't think people realize the compromises necessary to live in a deed restricted community even though they are told upfront about the restrictions. I think they believe the restrictions will not be enforced. It seems like people that came from a deed restricted community have certain expectations that differ from people that came from a single family non-restricted community, and they disagree on the value and benefits of deed restrictions. The best example I can give is a person who moves into a patio Villa and has outgrown it in 6 months and they begin to modify the patio Villa to their needs. One example would be putting rocks in the front yard to be able to park three cars at the location. They rely on peer pressure to look the other way and not speak up or object to their interpretation of the rules. I think that's why a lot of opinions may vary and I'm interested to hear what people think?

People move here for different reasons some people want the lifestyle the activities some people want a nice place to live. I guess it depends on what your priorities are in that regard and what's more important to you.

This is just a general discussion I'm not looking for help or information about deed restrictions.

I’m sure your agent drove you around looking at houses and if you didn’t notice how things look around here and you didn’t say what are the rules for living here you must not have been paying attention. Also some people have selected listening.

[Laker14]

I have no negative comments about tv. It’s the people who believe they are perfect I have an issue with

Are you still planning on leaving once your one year "sentence" (a term you used to describe the IRS treatment of the sale of your home) is up? If so, have you decided where you will find joy and happiness next?

[golfing eagles]

Are you still planning on leaving once your one year "sentence" (a term you used to describe the IRS treatment of the sale of your home) is up? If so, have you decided where you will find joy and happiness next?

I think you misspelled SPREAD :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Bill14564]

OK, I'll bite:
WHY is the adult pool restriction of 30 "glaring"????

This is primarily a 55+ community, so what restriction would you place???? I suspect your cutoff age is 26, and next year it would be 27, etc.

You've never seen 20-30 year olds horsing around at a pool, yelling, running, jumping in dangerously close to some 90 year old who is just standing there? There are plenty of family pools she can go to, and if you open your wallet a bit, country club pools as well. I think you would find the overwhelming majority of Villagers support the age restriction.

Are you advocating a change in the restriction to be safe from 30 year olds who might be horsing around?

I grudgingly accept that this is a rule but I haven't yet heard a good reason for it. I am a bit over 30 but I could still jump into the pool dangerously close to some 90 year old who is just standing there. I have also been with 20-somethings that are much more respectful than the 70 year olds who are allowed in the neighborhood pools.

If the rule is to prevent certain activities then write the rule that way. As it is, that particular rule seems to be intended to prevent envy and jealousy: We can't let those young people in here, they make us look bad and our spouses won't stop staring at them!

[frose]

Are you still planning on leaving once your one year "sentence" (a term you used to describe the IRS treatment of the sale of your home) is up? If so, have you decided where you will find joy and happiness next?
Oh yea. House is up for sale now. I close on the new one the end of the month. That one is in North Carolina.

[frose]

Are you advocating a change in the restriction to be safe from 30 year olds who might be horsing around?

I grudgingly accept that this is a rule but I haven't yet heard a good reason for it. I am a bit over 30 but I could still jump into the pool dangerously close to some 90 year old who is just standing there. I have also been with 20-somethings that are much more respectful than the 70 year olds who are allowed in the neighborhood pools.

If the rule is to prevent certain activities then write the rule that way. As it is, that particular rule seems to be intended to prevent envy and jealousy: We can't let those young people in here, they make us look bad and our spouses won't stop staring at them!
I understand that any age can get unruly but 30 really. Make it 21. Dam you can vote at 18 but need to be in the kiddie pool at tv. They let these exercise people in the adult pool jumping up and down, why don’t they need to be in the sports pool. I thought that’s what they were for. I’m just that some of the rules are truly ridiculous. But the place is beautiful. Expect for the unkempt palms. That’s a whole different topic.

[Laker14]

Oh yea. House is up for sale now. I close on the new one the end of the month. That one is in North Carolina.

Good luck to you. North Carolina has some very beautiful areas, and a wide variety of geography, from the coast to the Smokies.

[Bogie Shooter]

I understand that any age can get unruly but 30 really. Make it 21. Dam you can vote at 18 but need to be in the kiddie pool at tv. They let these exercise people in the adult pool jumping up and down, why don’t they need to be in the sports pool. I thought that’s what they were for. I’m just that some of the rules are truly ridiculous. But the place is beautiful. Expect for the unkempt palms. That’s a whole different topic.

Time to stop digging…………