Deed Compliance

[PattyPan1]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.

I was steaming mad and called the office to see who complained. They told me that there were approximately 30 complaints registered that day by the same person. All the complaints were around the Buttonwood area.

Of course, the complaints were made anonymously.

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.

[Matt and Gail]

Try to follow the deed restrictions that are part of our community! Look around the standards are pretty evident (IMHO) in most areas. This happens all the time in all neighborhoods, but it all starts with a presumed violation.

No negative thoughts toward the OP, just sayin....

:boom:

[CatskillBill]

You said, and I quote: "If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off". Bad attitude. That's why people turned you in.



Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.

I was steaming mad and called the office to see who complained. They told me that there were approximately 30 complaints registered that day by the same person. All the complaints were around the Buttonwood area.

Of course, the complaints were made anonymously.

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.

[KeepingItReal]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.

I was steaming mad and called the office to see who complained. They told me that there were approximately 30 complaints registered that day by the same person. All the complaints were around the Buttonwood area.

Of course, the complaints were made anonymously.

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.

No worries, apparently deed restrictions don't really mean anything anyway. Villages Realty has a for sale yard sign in the back yard of a house for sale backing up to Pinellas just a few houses up from the Morse gate and nothing has been done about it. Sign has been there a while now, guess we can all use a for sale yard sign also if the Villages Realty can do it with no problems..

Anyone selling their home should now be free to place a yard sign also if they desire...

[queasy27]

You said, and I quote: "If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off". Bad attitude. That's why people turned you in.

I think the OP meant that if she in fact agreed that her lawn had problems, she wouldn't be angry about a complaint being filed.

What bothered me about being reported a couple of years back is that the specific violation did NOT contravene my deed, however the compliance person was ignorant of the rules. The second time he came back, I showed him my deed, but he said the community "matrix" overrode it. The third time he came back, I called the compliance office while he was there and had the person I spoke to before re-explain the rules to him.

In the OPs case as well, it doesn't seem as though the compliance person who came by had any authority to make a determination about whether or not there was an infraction -- it's just: (1) somebody complained, (2) here's your written warning.

[Jayhawk]

Try to follow the deed restrictions that are part of our community! Look around the standards are pretty evident (IMHO) in most areas. This happens all the time in all neighborhoods, but it all starts with a presumed violation.

No negative thoughts toward the OP, just sayin....

:boom:

Agree 100%. We all signed the deed with the restrictions and rules. Follow them or .........

If you were in violation, I am satisfied that someone reported it, whether it was 1 or 30.

Keep America and The Villages Beautiful !!!!!!!

[samhass]

I think it is so wrong of Deed Compliance to depend upon neighbors turning in neighbors before something can be rectified. The Villages set the standards, and they should be making homeowners comply based on their findings..not mine.. . That is not my job and I would not be willing to hurt a neighbor. It is their job, and I wish they would step up to the plate. The current "complaint driven" procedure pits neighbor against neighbor, and that is a disgrace and a cop out by TV. Community Watch used to police things, and that worked for me.

[graciegirl]

No worries, apparently deed restrictions don't really mean anything anyway. Villages Realty has a for sale yard sign in the back yard of a house for sale backing up to Pinellas just a few houses up from the Morse gate and nothing has been done about it. Sign has been there a while now, guess we can all use a for sale yard sign also if the Villages Realty can do it with no problems..

Anyone selling their home should now be free to place a yard sign also if they desire...




It has to be reported before Deed Compliance can act.

I have no sympathy for people trying to evade deed compliance. It is one of the main reasons many of us bought here..

[Challenger]

I think it is so wrong of Deed Compliance to depend upon neighbors turning in neighbors before something can be rectified. The Villages set the standards, and they should be making homeowners comply based on their findings..not mine.. I live by someone that grossly violates standards, yet I refuse to be the one to turn them in. That is not my job and I would not be willing to hurt a neighbor. It is their job, and I wish they would step up to the plate. The current "complaint driven" procedure pits neighbor against neighbor, and that is a disgrace and a cop out by TV.

It is not you hurting the neighbor. they are the sinners. their acts will deminish your values it left unreported(over time).

[Jayhawk]

It has to be reported before Deed Compliance can act.

I have no sympathy for people trying to evade deed compliance. It is one of the main reasons many of us bought here..

You speak the gospel, sistah!!!!!

:bigbow:

[DonH57]

These many anonymous complaints seem to strike one village or neighborhood one after another. This seems to be a trend. Last week while in the garage I happen to notice a lady driving a red older Chevrolet walking around between yards with a notepad writing things down. At first I accessed maybe someone trying to drum up landscaping business. I never seen her go up to the doors of houses. A neighbor three houses came out and I couldn't hear the conversation. She drove off. I haven't got to speak to him yet but a know he didn't call the sheriff so who knows. The lady was driving a red chevrolet cavalier.

[Wandatime]

Sometimes a person gets a complaint on them and they want revenge so they stomp up and down the street writing up the transgressions of everyone else in the neighborhood.

[maryanna630]

I just do not understand why, when you agreed to the restrictions and wanted to buy here, that you feel resentful when someone reports you for a violation. Anonymous, not anonymous, it is YOU who are in violation. Please explain to me why you should be upset and not the people who follow the rules. I really do not enjoy looking at anyones good idea of yard art! Flame me if you wish.

[Allegiance]

These many anonymous complaints seem to strike one village or neighborhood one after another. This seems to be a trend. Last week while in the garage I happen to notice a lady driving a red older Chevrolet walking around between yards with a notepad writing things down. At first I accessed maybe someone trying to drum up landscaping business. I never seen her go up to the doors of houses. A neighbor three houses came out and I couldn't hear the conversation. She drove off. I haven't got to speak to him yet but a know he didn't call the sheriff so who knows. The lady was driving a red chevrolet cavalier.
Is this not trespassing?

[njbchbum]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.
snipped


Are a couple of weeds and an empty flower pot deed restrictions?

[kcrazorbackfan]

I didn't realize that there is a 10' no 'scape zone behind homes that back up to streets; the people we bought our home from put a row of boxwoods right up to the sidewalk. Nothing has been said to me, but, I'm going to be proactive and remove a few of the bushes and put sod in their place since I'm getting ready to do some other landscaping. Besides, the bush next to the sidewalk gets hammered everyday with dog pee.

[DonH57]

Is this not trespassing?

If trespassing means setting one foot on a yard I suppose but she never walked into peoples yards in a strange manner. I didn't witness this person step more than one foot within a yard. She never walked onto driveways, up to doors or windows or parked cars. She never put flyers or mailers on houses or cars. She mainly walked up and down the street taking notes stopping in front of homes. I didn't see her solicit. I only posted this in hopes others have seen behavior like this in the villages where there have been multiple complaints of deed compliance like the one with 97 complaints if I remember the older posts.

[JoMar]

I think it is so wrong of Deed Compliance to depend upon neighbors turning in neighbors before something can be rectified. The Villages set the standards, and they should be making homeowners comply based on their findings..not mine.. I live by someone that grossly violates standards, yet I refuse to be the one to turn them in. That is not my job and I would not be willing to hurt a neighbor. It is their job, and I wish they would step up to the plate. The current "complaint driven" procedure pits neighbor against neighbor, and that is a disgrace and a cop out by TV.

Which is why you can notify anonymously. The value of your home, the appearance of your neighborhood is dependent on everyone that lives there. If you hare happy with it then stay silent....but don't push the responsibility to someone else....they don't have to live with it you do. That's why WE are in control of our neighborhoods.

[Newbeginnings]

We have friends that are snowbirds, here only from November thru May. They asked us to drive by once a week just to check on the house. They have a lawn service, pool maintenance year round and a home watch service while they are gone. I walked through there yard yesterday taking pictures of all the weeds, the long grass and the dirty pool, sent the pictures to them via my iphone. My point was to let them know the poor service they are getting from these companies, so they could make the phone calls to these companies to get better service. I'm sure it it keeps up someone is going to complain, so they have a heads up now and can fire or complain to there service people.
Some of these companies take advantage of the snowbirds and let things go if no one is there to complain to them. They thanked us for letting them know what was going on and did call the companies.

[rubicon]

The OP expressed anger and so it would appear that if Deed Compliance was required to identify complainants that people like the OP would be confronting them.

Deed Compliance does have to be residents driven because it is our community, because there has to be a complaint before action can be undertaken and because the people who readily see the problems are the people living in the area.

For the sake of perspective how many residents receive compliments about the care of their properties. People by nature rather pay a compliment than criticize. Residents who fail to take care for their property place their neighbors in a very bad position.

With the purchase of my first home there was a next door neighbor of mine
whose actual quote about removal of snow was "God put it there God can take it away" It caused havoc . He never mowed his lawn until one day when talking with my neighbors we heard a lawn mower. sure enough he came around the back mowed right down the middle of his back yard, disappeared and then there was silence. He re-appeared with a putter and golf ball and proceeded to practice his putting where he had mowed one strip down the middle of his back yard. My neighbors and I could have used Deed Compliance back then

So in my view I like Deed Compliance and I want them to come down hard on violators or we are going to find some residents who will end up parking their cars on blocks in their driveways

[Allegiance]

Silly question... Is the developer allowed to store building materials, sod, trucks, heavy equipment for many days and nights on empty tear down lots? There are a few of these on the pre historic side.

[mulligan]

I would bet if several neighbors called Community Standards and complained about the equipment/material storage, it would be moved. If it it truly a concern, don't wait for someone else to make the call.

[HimandMe]

One self-appointed snitch looking for minor things to report to Deed Compliance not only annoys Deed Compliance but upsets way too many good people and invites hatred towards themselves as eventually they will be found out. Shame on you.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.

I was steaming mad and called the office to see who complained. They told me that there were approximately 30 complaints registered that day by the same person. All the complaints were around the Buttonwood area.

Of course, the complaints were made anonymously.

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.

I agree totally and every neighborhood has one or two of those people including ours! :boxing2:

[Villageswimmer]

One self-appointed snitch looking for minor things to report to Deed Compliance not only annoys Deed Compliance but upsets way too many good people and invites hatred towards themselves as eventually they will be found out. Shame on you.

Wow...you sound so upset and stressed. In the major scheme of things, this is no big deal. Let it go and enjoy another beautiful day in TV. Namaste.

[Jima64]

At least most residents are concerned about the homes and lawns to take care of them. Have a feeling someone got a burr up their butt about something and decided to seek revenge on everyone. Ita all about karma for that person eventually.

[graciegirl]

One self-appointed snitch looking for minor things to report to Deed Compliance not only annoys Deed Compliance but upsets way too many good people and invites hatred towards themselves as eventually they will be found out. Shame on you.



Since that is the way deed compliance is set up, then one needs to either be very careful to keep one's property up to standards or expect that someone will complain.


Perhaps this is a new experience for some to live in a deed restricted area, but what seems like an annoyance to folks new to it, will find that deed restrictions promote a well maintained community and protects the investment of all of the folks living in it.


It would be easier if we paid someone's salary to report infringements but it would also be an added expense.


I think the person who made thirty reports may have done all a favor. Non compliant people are not sure if it is a neighbor who complained or a stranger.


Perhaps instead of complaining against being turned in, just remedy what is non compliant?


Most residents are very satisfied with having deed restrictions and sooner or later ( when folks sell their property) those who don't like them may see the benefits.

[coconutmama]

I think we all basically enjoy a deed compliance community, but in my opinion anyone who submits multiple complaints about properties not in their immediate proximity is a fuss budget & should be ignored by the deed compliance office. The complainer should be required to provide their name after the first complaint, if the situation is not resolved. A constant complainer is no better than a busybody. I live in Buttonwood & no one's property offends me. We go for a golf cart ride throughout the neighborhood often. All homes are well kept in my opinion. It is a beautiful neighborhood. A few homes may have a couple of weeds, but I presume they are seasonal owners & will take care of it when they return. All still looks nice to me. If a person's immediate neighbors complain, and I mean more than one, than there is an issue which should be addressed. Besides, how does one define a "bad" lawn? All is subjective. I am confident that the OP will remove or fill the offending empty pot. If that is all someone has to complain about, I feel badly for them.

[graciegirl]

Deed compliance is one of the frequently discussed issues on this forum. Here is a thread from last year giving the number to call.


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/covenant-question-103201/?highlight=deed+restrictions

[Bogie Shooter]

Silly question... Is the developer allowed to store building materials, sod, trucks, heavy equipment for many days and nights on empty tear down lots? There are a few of these on the pre historic side.

Would you rather the Developer was not doing what they are doing to upgrade your neighborhood? Shame on you.

[Allegiance]

Would you rather the Developer was not doing what they are doing to upgrade your neighborhood? Shame on you.
I don't feel any shame for bringing up the subject. I am not even sure its the developer or his contractor. BUT why are they using a lot for storage, for many months, as they build out other homes in the area? I doubt they are allowed to. If I were next door to the storage lot I might complain. It only slightly irks me as I drive by everday.

Shame on YOU for attempting to shame me. ;)

Too many are too quick to defend the almighty Oz. They did a great job but are not perfect. If it did not help their bottom line they would not be upgrading anything.

[DonH57]

The OP expressed anger and so it would appear that if Deed Compliance was required to identify complainants that people like the OP would be confronting them.

Deed Compliance does have to be residents driven because it is our community, because there has to be a complaint before action can be undertaken and because the people who readily see the problems are the people living in the area.

For the sake of perspective how many residents receive compliments about the care of their properties. People by nature rather pay a compliment than criticize. Residents who fail to take care for their property place their neighbors in a very bad position.

With the purchase of my first home there was a next door neighbor of mine
whose actual quote about removal of snow was "God put it there God can take it away" It caused havoc . He never mowed his lawn until one day when talking with my neighbors we heard a lawn mower. sure enough he came around the back mowed right down the middle of his back yard, disappeared and then there was silence. He re-appeared with a putter and golf ball and proceeded to practice his putting where he had mowed one strip down the middle of his back yard. My neighbors and I could have used Deed Compliance back then

So in my view I like Deed Compliance and I want them to come down hard on violators or we are going to find some residents who will end up parking their cars on blocks in their driveways

LOL. I'm sure to you at the time it wasn't funny but I could just picture the guy mowing out his putting green and returning the mower to putt. I had to laugh.:1rotfl:

[Bogie Shooter]

I don't feel any shame for bringing up the subject. I am not even sure its the developer or his contractor. BUT why are they using a lot for storage, for many months, as they build out other homes in the area? I doubt they are allowed to. If I were next door to the storage lot I might complain. It only slightly irks me as I drive by everday.

Shame on YOU for attempting to shame me. ;)

Too many are too quick to defend the almighty Oz. They did a great job but are not perfect. If it did not help their bottom line they would not be upgrading anything.

That reminds me of a song.:ho:

[graciegirl]

I don't feel any shame for bringing up the subject. I am not even sure its the developer or his contractor. BUT why are they using a lot for storage, for many months, as they build out other homes in the area? I doubt they are allowed to. If I were next door to the storage lot I might complain. It only slightly irks me as I drive by everday.

Shame on YOU for attempting to shame me. ;)

Too many are too quick to defend the almighty Oz. They did a great job but are not perfect. If it did not help their bottom line they would not be upgrading anything.



They didn't HAVE to. AND clearly, there wasn't much of a margin for profit, given what they paid for the properties and what they are selling them for.. So some of us suspect they did it out of pride in the community they built and also perhaps trying to help the property values of the people who live in the oldest section.


I would try to do that if I was a Morse.

And if I lived nearby, I would be patient and wait for the houses to be finished. Those Morses (snd their contractors) don't take very long.

[Allegiance]

Economics is economics. They look at the big picture. Even if they lost money on those historic rebuilds, it still helps their bottom line. Reputation and goodwill are part of picture. They dont want a slum in The Villages. No one said they have too. As a homeowner I should tow the line. I will never say anything bad about OZ again. After all my bottom line is my property value.


http://www.counter-currents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Oz-The-Great-and-Powerful.jpg

[graciegirl]

Economics is economics. They look at the big picture. Even if they lost money on those historic rebuilds, it still helps their bottom line. Reputation and goodwill are part of picture. They dont want a slum in The Villages. No one said they have too. As a homeowner I should tow the line. I will never say anything bad about OZ again. After all my bottom line is my property value.


http://www.counter-currents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Oz-The-Great-and-Powerful.jpg



Here is the question. Would the folks who live there rather those selfish greedy capitalists improve the area,......or not?

[Allegiance]

That was not the question at ALL. The question was should the developer be allowed to use a lot for storage of material and vehicles.

[TheVillageChicken]

That was not the question at ALL. The question was should the developer be allowed to use a lot for storage of material and vehicles.

When you use the word, "allowed", it implies that there is someone from whom the developer would have to obtain permission. Who would that be?

[Allegiance]

When you use the word, "allowed", it implies that there is someone from whom the developer would have to obtain permission. Who would that be?
I was asking the question. Are you implying the developer can do what they want without permissions? This thread is about compliance to the rules. Do those rules apply to them? If a private developer stored material and vehicles on a lot for months, I ASSUME, the enforcement entities would be all over that.

Answering a question with a question or going off topic about how great the developer is does not answer my On Topic question. I concede and truly believe the developer is wonderful.

[Villageswimmer]

Since that is the way deed compliance is set up, then one needs to either be very careful to keep one's property up to standards or expect that someone will complain.


Perhaps this is a new experience for some to live in a deed restricted area, but what seems like an annoyance to folks new to it, will find that deed restrictions promote a well maintained community and protects the investment of all of the folks living in it.


It would be easier if we paid someone's salary to report infringements but it would also be an added expense.


I think the person who made thirty reports may have done all a favor. Non compliant people are not sure if it is a neighbor who complained or a stranger.


Perhaps instead of complaining against being turned in, just remedy what is non compliant?

Most residents are very satisfied with having deed restrictions and sooner or later ( when folks sell their property) those who don't like them may see the benefits.


Amen! Nuff said.

[rubicon]

LOL. I'm sure to you at the time it wasn't funny but I could just picture the guy mowing out his putting green and returning the mower to putt. I had to laugh.:1rotfl:

Hi donH: My neighbors and I had agreed not to erect fences but to use shrubs etc as boundaries. After that incident my neighbor in the back erected a partial fence wide enough to block this guy's lawn. He apologized but he was meticulous about his lawn so we understood his actions.

When I went to sell this house a guy two blocks over wife wanted our house. they were not tidy people. I told the realtor I did not want to sell it to them in respect and consideration of my neighbors. of course the realtor issued the obvious caveat. so I refused to lower my price and the guy still bought the house. Predictably he proved not to be a tidy neighbor and when i went back for visit I apologized to my neighbors who readily understood I had resisted best i could.

Hence I am glad we have Deed Compliance and glad we have active residents with watchful eyes because the guy who eventually bought my first house did have his car on blocks in his driveway because he was a hobbyist mechanic and there was noting we could do and the reason I did not to sell to him

[PattyPan1]

My lawn was under repair. I just don't like sneaky people that don't give their name with a complaint.

The 30 complaints were for Buttonwood and surrounding area.

If there is something wrong. I would take care of it.

[PattyPan1]

It seems some of you got quite huffy about the deed restrictions. Perhaps I didn't fully explain the situation.

My lawn in under repair, seeds, fertilizer, etc. It is a small area.

i killed the plant in the pot and haven't replaced it.

As far as the weeds, yes there were some, but not enough to lose sleep over.

My point is that people should HAVE to give their name if they are making a complaint. Making over 30 complaints in one day for different people is ridiculous. Man up and give your name, or knock on the home and tell them.

[Jima64]

Pattypan, did the person that comtacted you about the complaint acknowledge the fact thatnyou were in the process of repairing your lawn problem? Seems that the original complainer might have checked it out further. I wonder how many of the complaints were legitimate complaints?

[graciegirl]

This thread is from 2007 just before Villages Watch stopped noting deed restrictions.


This problem is not new. Some people say oops and immediately comply and others are new to the concept.


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/statue-liberty-southern-trace-8994/?highlight=deed+compliance

[KeepingItReal]

It has to be reported before Deed Compliance can act.

I have no sympathy for people trying to evade deed compliance. It is one of the main reasons many of us bought here..


The outdoor sign is a Villages Realty sign not Re Max or some other realty company that maybe would not know. Of all those that should know better The Villages Realty should be right at the top.

If for sale by owners are not allowed a yard sign then why would The Villages Realtors be allowed to place a yard sign? Personally I think at least one yard sign on for sale home should be allowed but if an individual has to abide by the rules then Villages Realty should as well.

Community watch goes by it every time they go up Pinellas, as a previous poster said it is a cop out to say a neighbor has to report it before it would be addressed. A violation is a violation.

[HimandMe]

I think we all basically enjoy a deed compliance community, but in my opinion anyone who submits multiple complaints about properties not in their immediate proximity is a fuss budget & should be ignored by the deed compliance office. The complainer should be required to provide their name after the first complaint, if the situation is not resolved. A constant complainer is no better than a busybody. I live in Buttonwood & no one's property offends me. We go for a golf cart ride throughout the neighborhood often. All homes are well kept in my opinion. It is a beautiful neighborhood. A few homes may have a couple of weeds, but I presume they are seasonal owners & will take care of it when they return. All still looks nice to me. If a person's immediate neighbors complain, and I mean more than one, than there is an issue which should be addressed. Besides, how does one define a "bad" lawn? All is subjective. I am confident that the OP will remove or fill the offending empty pot. If that is all someone has to complain about, I feel badly for them.
Well said.
Almost everyone likes their neighborhood to be well kept. That is no the OP 's issue. Everyone also has times when an empty flowerpot or something similar or an issue and in process of treating their lawn etc. a busybody creates havoc not help. Glaring problems need addressing not minor slights.

[graciegirl]

The outdoor sign is a Villages Realty sign not Re Max or some other realty company that maybe would not know. Of all those that should know better The Villages Realty should be right at the top.

If for sale by owners are not allowed a yard sign then why would The Villages Realtors be allowed to place a yard sign? Personally I think at least one yard sign on for sale home should be allowed but if an individual has to abide by the rules then Villages Realty should as well.

Community watch goes by it every time they go up Pinellas, as a previous poster said it is a cop out to say a neighbor has to report it before it would be addressed. A violation is a violation.





Community Watch NO LONGER reports non compliant issues. And hasn't for years.

[raynan]

I thought this thread started last night, 7/17/15. I know Buttonwood has had this problem with someone reporting multiple complaints before.

[KeepingItReal]

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeepingItReal View Post

The outdoor sign is a Villages Realty sign not Re Max or some other realty company that maybe would not know. Of all those that should know better The Villages Realty should be right at the top.

If for sale by owners are not allowed a yard sign then why would The Villages Realtors be allowed to place a yard sign? Personally I think at least one yard sign on for sale home should be allowed but if an individual has to abide by the rules then Villages Realty should as well.

Community watch goes by it every time they go up Pinellas, as a previous poster said it is a cop out to say a neighbor has to report it before it would be addressed. A violation is a violation.

Community Watch NO LONGER reports non compliant issues. And hasn't for years.

Community Watch should surely note and report deed restriction violations being committed by The Villages itself.

So why did Villages Realty place a yard sign in an area where they are not allowed in the first place, which will require someone to have to call in a complaint or do they just feel entitled to ignore deed restrictions?

Not the first time I have seen this from The Villages Realty.

[graciegirl]

]I thought this thread started last night[/B], 7/17/15. I know Buttonwood has had this problem with someone reporting multiple complaints before.


It did start last night. I posted a link to a thread from 2007 to show some newer folks that people have discussed this for years.


AND I DO get huffy. Deed restrictions are important in keeping communities nice and protecting all of our property values.


We can't just comply with JUST the things we agree with because everyone seems to think they have superior taste.


Most of us try to familiarize ourselves with the deed restrictions in our area. Anyone can report an infringement. It doesn't have to be a close neighbor. IF it is against the rules they will fine you if you don't comply.


Basically south of 466 we are NOT allowed to have anything in the yard such as pots and statues and windmills and trellises etc. We can put them under the eaves.

[Northwoods]

If someone gets a letter about a violation (like a lawn ornament), what happens? What if the home owner decides to ignore the letter? Is there any action taken against the home owner. If there is - what happens?

[dbussone]

If someone gets a letter about a violation (like a lawn ornament), what happens? What if the home owner decides to ignore the letter? Is there any action taken against the home owner. If there is - what happens?

See Gracie's post immediately above.

[dbussone]

See Gracie's post immediately above.

As a last resort, well.......you really don't want to know.

[cologal]

It has to be reported before Deed Compliance can act.

I have no sympathy for people trying to evade deed compliance. It is one of the main reasons many of us bought here..

One of my former neighbors had a serious issue with a gentleman who moved in next to her. He didn't like that "her shrubs" were on her property. These were patio villa's so he was correct but didn't understand how this worked he wanted to remove everything. If one branch touched his house he would call The Villages and they would send a warning. Once they sent a man to check things no branches were touching at the time but he sided with the complainer. My friend was in the hospital when he reported her again and The Villages threaten a $250.00 fine. The only thing she could do was to remove all the shrubs at her expense.

Some other neighbors went to try and talk to this guy but he wouldn't listen.

I understand deed compliance but this was just a p***ed off guy forcing his will.

[donsimson]

Remember-You signed a paper agreeing to keep you place looking nice. If you don't and no one complains, we will become a "Tobacco Road" area probably like what you came from. We police our own- keep it cleaned up and no one can complain.

[Barefoot]

If someone gets a letter about a violation (like a lawn ornament), what happens? What if the home owner decides to ignore the letter? Is there any action taken against the home owner. If there is - what happens?
You probably won't be very popular at neighborhood parties.

[DonH57]

You probably won't be very popular at neighborhood parties.


Yeah. Off the christmas card list they drop!:shocked:

[JoMar]

My lawn was under repair. I just don't like sneaky people that don't give their name with a complaint.

The 30 complaints were for Buttonwood and surrounding area.

If there is something wrong. I would take care of it.

The reason the anonymous phone line makes sense is there are people here that would retaliate. Intimidation causes people to behave differently. I believe most people that haven't read their deed restrictions are fine with Community Standards since they want their community to have standards. If I'm out of compliance I don't care who called it in and I will correct the issues.....no good reason to know who.

[Barefoot]

If I'm out of compliance I don't care who called it in and I will correct the issues.....no good reason to know who.

:agree:

[88 Keys]

It did start last night. I posted a link to a thread from 2007 to show some newer folks that people have discussed this for years.


AND I DO get huffy. Deed restrictions are important in keeping communities nice and protecting all of our property values.


We can't just comply with JUST the things we agree with because everyone seems to think they have superior taste.


Most of us try to familiarize ourselves with the deed restrictions in our area. Anyone can report an infringement. It doesn't have to be a close neighbor. IF it is against the rules they will fine you if you don't comply.


Basically south of 466 we are NOT allowed to have anything in the yard such as pots and statues and windmills and trellises etc. We can put them under the eaves.

:BigApplause:

[Jima64]

Believe in an earlier post someone said it might be a woman with a red cavalier convertible. I would always keep an eye out for this person just out of curiousity and also love to see what her yard looks like. I would never seek revenge but just curious.

[Challenger]

The reason the anonymous phone line makes sense is there are people here that would retaliate. Intimidation causes people to behave differently. I believe most people that haven't read their deed restrictions are fine with Community Standards since they want their community to have standards. If I'm out of compliance I don't care who called it in and I will correct the issues.....no good reason to know who.

I hope people comply, if they don't , call them in . I fully agree with anonymus complaint system. Causes far fewer problems that direct confrontations.

[Villageswimmer]

Believe in an earlier post someone said it might be a woman with a red cavalier convertible. I would always keep an eye out for this person just out of curiousity and also love to see what her yard looks like. I would never seek revenge but just curious.

Really??

[DonH57]

Really??

I believe the poster was referring to a recent post of mine describing my neighborhood experience with said car and person. No proof yet of who it was. I posted it because I partially remembered an older post about 97 so complaints in one of the villages or something to that effect. Who knows?

[Bogie Shooter]

If someone gets a letter about a violation (like a lawn ornament), what happens? What if the home owner decides to ignore the letter? Is there any action taken against the home owner. If there is - what happens?

Here are the steps.
VCDD Community Standards (http://www.districtgov.org/departments/Community-Standards/community-standards.aspx)

[KeepingItReal]

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.


Force people to identify themselves on TOTV and no doubt the posts on here would go way down as well.

[Villageswimmer]

I hope people comply, if they don't , call them in . I fully agree with anonymus complaint system. Causes far fewer problems that direct confrontations.


I agree completely. If I were the subject of a complaint, I'd be embarrassed, but I'd remedy it immediately. It doesn't matter who complained. Why do folks think rules (that they agreed to, by the way) don't apply to them? This adversarial attitude just reinforces the need for anonymity. :cryin2:

[beachx4me]

These many anonymous complaints seem to strike one village or neighborhood one after another. This seems to be a trend. Last week while in the garage I happen to notice a lady driving a red older Chevrolet walking around between yards with a notepad writing things down. At first I accessed maybe someone trying to drum up landscaping business. I never seen her go up to the doors of houses. A neighbor three houses came out and I couldn't hear the conversation. She drove off. I haven't got to speak to him yet but a know he didn't call the sheriff so who knows. The lady was driving a red chevrolet cavalier.

Very sad, just plain pitiful.

[Villageswimmer]

Very sad, just plain pitiful.

Really? Very sad and pitiful? This would be way at the bottom of my sad and pitiful list. :cryin2: Namaste.

[CFrance]

Wow...you sound so upset and stressed. In the major scheme of things, this is no big deal. Let it go and enjoy another beautiful day in TV. Namaste.
I don't think HimandMe sounds stressed or upset at all. Just stating an opinion. Shalom.

[dbussone]

I would not recommend that anyone walk between and around homes that do not belong to them, unless they have permission. It's just not a smart thing to do.

[Villager Dude]

I understand how the deed compliance system is set up but why is Community Watch not permitted to identify infractions ? They ride around the neighborhoods and must notice infractions. They can also be anonomous.

Never understood why this is not in their job description.

[DonH57]

I know they come down our street looking for open garage doors after ten every night and they cover several streets. I'm sure they have their directives they follow.

[Villager Joyce]

I know they come down our street looking for open garage doors after ten every night and they cover several streets. I'm sure they have their directives they follow.

Open garage doors is a safety factor not a deed compliance, I feel.

[Barefoot]

I understand how the deed compliance system is set up but why is Community Watch not permitted to identify infractions ? They ride around the neighborhoods and must notice infractions. They can also be anonomous.

I don't think the intent of the system is to identify every single infraction.
There are lots of infractions around that neighbors live with quite happily.
I think the system is designed so that residents can anonymously report the infractions they find intolerable.

[DonH57]

Open garage doors is a safety factor not a deed compliance, I feel.

Oh yes. I definately agree and happy to see them making their rounds.:)

[Steve G.]

I am sure I am speaking for most of us. When you buy a home in The Villages you do so partly because of the well maintained properties and common areas. This keeps property values up and when we sell we get a return on our investment. Deed restrictions are just part of living here. The other part is respect for your neighbor. Letting your yard get overgrown and not keeping up with general maintenance whether by restriction or not just shows what type of person you are. Be proud to live here as this is a special place. If it makes you mad that others complain about your yard then you are clearly living in the wrong community. I own 2 properties here and have never received a single complaint because I love it here and I love The Villages. PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR YARD :22yikes:

[MDLNB]

Just out of curiosity, and not out of vindictiveness or whatnot, I wandered my neighborhood examining the nice homes, from the street. I noticed that technically, the majority of homes were in violation of one or more community standards. But, in my opinion the violations are in good or tolerable taste. We have a neighborhood email system that keeps us up to date with the local goings-ons. Some of the older/senior residents that have lived here since the homes were originally built have been quite adamant about "no change." Yet, they have established their small deviations to the rules and have no problem with it. I am referring to driveway changes, yard ornaments, etc. They have been quite vocal about any "new" residents making subtle changes to their homes. Every time I hear of someone complaining about a change, shortly after, it seems I get an email saying that the compliance board has changed their position on the issue, such as door color, home color, driveway color, back wall color (CYV) etc. It seems that once someone in "the clique" wants a change, someone takes action. A petition went around about a year ago to allow home color changes in our one color neighborhood. It was passed by the majority and a color pallet was posted. One our fairly new neighbors, wanting to comply and be accepted in the neighborhood, was first to change their home color. The next door neighbor walked over and examined the newly painted color and declared it to be ugly. Of course, that was from a senior neighbor that was an original owner. The home owner that had the newly painted exterior, also received numerous/many compliments from neighbors throughout the community. Now, others are starting to change their color. Doors are changing from the once standard white to more individually preferred colors, personalizing their homes. A new neighbor moved in recently and installed an interesting, small yard ornament of painted cast iron. It appears to be vintage or antique. I found it interesting, but I heard of a few rumors of disgruntled neighbors making slight of it. Those same complainers have violations in their yards, in form of yard ornaments. Although, I don't find their yard "art" to be ugly or offensive, and don't care.
I hear many of you state "rules are rules" with no semblance of tolerance suggested. I wonder how many of you are "tolerated" by your neighbors, even though they may not "condone."
Neighborhood rules are NOT laws. Yes, we need rules to motivate some folks to comply with majority set standards. But, some rules should have a certain amount of flexibility and tolerance. I see a neighbor's landscaping or lawn ornament that I would not have in my yard. Since I don't like it, does that mean I should find a violation and report it?
Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting the blatant violation of community standards, rather a certain amount of tolerance. The ones complaining about violations of community standards seem to be violating the most important Villages standard: "America's Friendliest Town."
But, rules are after all, rules. :police:

[graciegirl]

Just out of curiosity, and not out of vindictiveness or whatnot, I wandered my neighborhood examining the nice homes, from the street. I noticed that technically, the majority of homes were in violation of one or more community standards. But, in my opinion the violations are in good or tolerable taste. We have a neighborhood email system that keeps us up to date with the local goings-ons. Some of the older/senior residents that have lived here since the homes were originally built have been quite adamant about "no change." Yet, they have established their small deviations to the rules and have no problem with it. I am referring to driveway changes, yard ornaments, etc. They have been quite vocal about any "new" residents making subtle changes to their homes. Every time I hear of someone complaining about a change, shortly after, it seems I get an email saying that the compliance board has changed their position on the issue, such as door color, home color, driveway color, back wall color (CYV) etc. It seems that once someone in "the clique" wants a change, someone takes action. A petition went around about a year ago to allow home color changes in our one color neighborhood. It was passed by the majority and a color pallet was posted. One our fairly new neighbors, wanting to comply and be accepted in the neighborhood, was first to change their home color. The next door neighbor walked over and examined the newly painted color and declared it to be ugly. Of course, that was from a senior neighbor that was an original owner. The home owner that had the newly painted exterior, also received numerous/many compliments from neighbors throughout the community. Now, others are starting to change their color. Doors are changing from the once standard white to more individually preferred colors, personalizing their homes. A new neighbor moved in recently and installed an interesting, small yard ornament of painted cast iron. It appears to be vintage or antique. I found it interesting, but I heard of a few rumors of disgruntled neighbors making slight of it. Those same complainers have violations in their yards, in form of yard ornaments. Although, I don't find their yard "art" to be ugly or offensive, and don't care.
I hear many of you state "rules are rules" with no semblance of tolerance suggested. I wonder how many of you are "tolerated" by your neighbors, even though they may not "condone."
Neighborhood rules are NOT laws. Yes, we need rules to motivate some folks to comply with majority set standards. But, some rules should have a certain amount of flexibility and tolerance. I see a neighbor's landscaping or lawn ornament that I would not have in my yard. Since I don't like it, does that mean I should find a violation and report it?
Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting the blatant violation of community standards, rather a certain amount of tolerance. The ones complaining about violations of community standards seem to be violating the most important Villages standard: "America's Friendliest Town."
But, rules are after all, rules. :police:



It sounds to me that you do NOT live south of 466. In the historic area and in areas near Morse above 466 those kinds of things are allowed. They are not restricted. Is that the area you speak of?

[skip0358]

All I can say is this. We all signed the Deed Restrictions BUT did we all read them and follow them or is it a if someone turns me in then I'll worry about it ?
Did we read them before we had work done? Don't rely on the Contractor you hire to tell you what's right or wrong. I got turned in however what I had done turned out to not be a violation. I'll guarantee if you truly read your restrictions and drive around your neighborhood over 1/2 your neighbors have violations. Especially those rear yard border bushes that are planted, or the front yard decorations or how much of your yard is no longer grass etc. Asking for someone to be hired by TV to enforce is a dangerous request trust me. Hell even TV is in Violation of their own rules if you truly read them. JMO

[Challenger]

A deed or covenant violation is in essence breaking a contract with every other homeowner in the community, whether they object or not.

If one does not want to abide by the covenants and restrictions ,then he is fair game for any legal remedy that is brought by any other (others) who are parties to that(those) contracts.

[MDLNB]

It sounds to me that you do NOT live south of 466. In the historic area and in areas near Morse above 466 those kinds of things are allowed. They are not restricted. Is that the area you speak of?

You are correct, I reside North of Rt466. But, we too have covenants. I mean no offense to those that believe in stern reprisals for yard conformance violators. My pet peeve is toward those violators that speed past me on the golf cart trails and blatantly run through stop signs without even slowing down. Oh, the second one IS a law and not just a rule.

Heaven help you if someone's dog urinates on your yard and causes a brown spot. I am sure that some observant neighbor will be quick notice this distracting deviation in the green and report it. :cryin2: Just being facetious.

I guess for a conservative (and former law enforcement) I am pretty tolerant.

[OldManTime]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.

I was steaming mad and called the office to see who complained. They told me that there were approximately 30 complaints registered that day by the same person. All the complaints were around the Buttonwood area.

Of course, the complaints were made anonymously.

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.



If you read your deed restrictions, none of this would happened

[MDLNB]

I understand how the deed compliance system is set up but why is Community Watch not permitted to identify infractions ? They ride around the neighborhoods and must notice infractions. They can also be anonomous.

Never understood why this is not in their job description.

Perhaps their job is more in line with keeping us safe, rather than keeping us pretty and happy?

[MDLNB]

If you read your deed restrictions, none of this would happened

Perhaps you are right. And then again, if I was peeved with my neighbors for some perceived slight, I am sure that I could initiate complaints against quite a few, if not the majority of them. And perhaps a bit of empathy wouldn't hurt toward the obvious embarrassment this originator of the posting has endured?

I am not disagreeing with any of the posts above, just making an observation.

[Emmakrock@yahoo.com]

The villages needs to keep up on the compliance issues.I have visited many neighborhoods to purchase a home. I refused to buy because of plastic flowers and junk in the yards in a neighborhood.I have seen the prices on theses houses and it is as high as the ones were the lawns and shrubs look amazing.I have eliminated certain villages because the condition of some of the homes. So neighbors if you want your value to remain up it does matter

[redwitch]

Perhaps their job is more in line with keeping us safe, rather than keeping us pretty and happy?

Haven't really seen any instances of them keeping us safe. I do believe their driving around could be a slight deterrent to thieves but not all that much. About the only time I've seen them truly being helpful is when they are guiding traffic around an accident. I do wish they could be more pro-active both in compliance enforcement and as a true deterrent in being able to stop people when necessary, such as solicitors.

As to the individual turning folks in Pennecamp, it sounds like this is her only activity in TV. She seems to do this every few months. A pain in the neck to her neighbors, a royal pain in the tush to compliance and, I think, a very unhappy person all around.

[MDLNB]

The villages needs to keep up on the compliance issues.I have visited many neighborhoods to purchase a home. I refused to buy because of plastic flowers and junk in the yards in a neighborhood.I have seen the prices on theses houses and it is as high as the ones were the lawns and shrubs look amazing.I have eliminated certain villages because the condition of some of the homes. So neighbors if you want your value to remain up it does matter

Personally, I don't plan to sell and move from my home, so all the value does to my home is manipulate the rate of my taxes. My point is not to encourage one to violate the rules, but to think about one's glass house before casting stones. I have some very close friends/neighbors that have color schemes or ornaments that I consider quite ugly or contrasting to the rest of the neighborhood. Would I complain? Never happen, because these old folks are dear friends and it is easy for me to overlook what they find to be pleasing, and what makes them happy in their later years. Maybe if someone else had the same taste and I didn't know them or like them, I could be easier offended by their lack of taste...:icon_wink:

I try to keep my home above set standards so that I can encourage others to bring theirs up to a higher level. If this country was so concerned about laws, then we wouldn't have the illegal immigration problem, or lack of enforcement for federal drug laws, etc.

Just my opinion, and not meant as a slight towards anyone that may perceive that I disagree with them.

[outlaw]

Seems like a lot of TV people are violating deed restrictions and covenants. Why?

[RickeyD]

Seems like a lot of TV people are violating deed restrictions and covenants. Why?


They don't care or are ignorant.

[MDLNB]

Haven't really seen any instances of them keeping us safe. I do believe their driving around could be a slight deterrent to thieves but not all that much. About the only time I've seen them truly being helpful is when they are guiding traffic around an accident. I do wish they could be more pro-active both in compliance enforcement and as a true deterrent in being able to stop people when necessary, such as solicitors.


I believe that many of us don't give them credit for all that they do for us. It may not be obvious, but we do enjoy the fruits of their involvement. They are not law enforcement, but they are looking out for us. If I can't have the police presence, I find that the community watch is a good substitute for roving surveillance. To the Community Watch, THANK YOU for your service.

[MDLNB]

Seems like a lot of TV people are violating deed restrictions and covenants. Why?

I'd say that just about every day, I am behind someone that blatantly blast right through stop signs in their golf cart. That is a violation of the LAW, not just a community rule. WHY?

[Villager Joyce]

Haven't really seen any instances of them keeping us safe. I do believe their driving around could be a slight deterrent to thieves but not all that much. About the only time I've seen them truly being helpful is when they are guiding traffic around an accident.

after we purchased our home but before we moved in, our garage door opened during the night, we presume because a neighbor had the same code. vbdcc called us to ket us know, entered the house to make sure all was okay, lowered and locked the garage door for us. We were most appreciative.

[graciegirl]

Personally, I don't plan to sell and move from my home, so all the value does to my home is manipulate the rate of my taxes. My point is not to encourage one to violate the rules, but to think about one's glass house before casting stones. I have some very close friends/neighbors that have color schemes or ornaments that I consider quite ugly or contrasting to the rest of the neighborhood. Would I complain? Never happen, because these old folks are dear friends and it is easy for me to overlook what they find to be pleasing, and what makes them happy in their later years. Maybe if someone else had the same taste and I didn't know them or like them, I could be easier offended by their lack of taste...:icon_wink:

I try to keep my home above set standards so that I can encourage others to bring theirs up to a higher level. If this country was so concerned about laws, then we wouldn't have the illegal immigration problem, or lack of enforcement for federal drug laws, etc.

Just my opinion, and not meant as a slight towards anyone that may perceive that I disagree with them.



It would NOT matter if you did complain...if they were in compliance. The deed restrictions differ. As The Villages grew, the deed restrictions became more strict. South of 466 you cannot change your house color or paint your door or put up a beautiful and expensive bronze ornament without permission. Because if you do, someone can complain and you will have to change it, or be fined.


As stated before, that is what you signed. You are not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.

[graciegirl]

Personally, I don't plan to sell and move from my home, so all the value does to my home is manipulate the rate of my taxes. My point is not to encourage one to violate the rules, but to think about one's glass house before casting stones. I have some very close friends/neighbors that have color schemes or ornaments that I consider quite ugly or contrasting to the rest of the neighborhood. Would I complain? Never happen, because these old folks are dear friends and it is easy for me to overlook what they find to be pleasing, and what makes them happy in their later years. Maybe if someone else had the same taste and I didn't know them or like them, I could be easier offended by their lack of taste...:icon_wink:

I try to keep my home above set standards so that I can encourage others to bring theirs up to a higher level. If this country was so concerned about laws, then we wouldn't have the illegal immigration problem, or lack of enforcement for federal drug laws, etc.

Just my opinion, and not meant as a slight towards anyone that may perceive that I disagree with them.



It would NOT matter if you did complain...if they were in compliance. The deed restrictions differ. As The Villages grew, the deed restrictions became more strict. South of 466 you cannot change your house color or build a fence or put up a beautiful and expensive bronze ornament without permission. Because if you do, someone can complain and you will have to change it, or be fined.


If you want freedom of expression when it comes to lawn ornaments, you have choices here in The Villages. So figure it out first where you want to live.

[MDLNB]

We have rules also. The ONLY items allowed in one's yard are natural rocks or pots capable of containing plants. We also have color restrictions that have recently been amended. I believe I could find a covenant violation on at least 99% of my neighbors. Sorry, but part of community spirit is getting along with those that are different than us, not dropping a dime on them every time we perceive fault. Just my opinion, and I reserve the right to change it at any given time....:spoken:

[graciegirl]

I don't think the intent of the system is to identify every single infraction.
There are lots of infractions around that neighbors live with quite happily.
I think the system is designed so that residents can anonymously report the infractions they find intolerable.






What she said.

[MDLNB]

What she said.

:agree:

[Buffalo Ray]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.

I was steaming mad and called the office to see who complained. They told me that there were approximately 30 complaints registered that day by the same person. All the complaints were around the Buttonwood area.

Of course, the complaints were made anonymously.

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.
We have been part of the "Anonymous Crusader's" complaints also. It has spilled into Tamarind Grove. It seems to be random, as I have neighbors who still have some modest ornaments in their front gardens. Or, it could be vindictive, not sure as it is all anonymous. Our ornament was quite modest, yet attractive. All of our neighbors loved it. We have been here for four years now, this is NOT a "friendly" place as advertised. Speeders zoom up and down our street, but an attractive ornament is verboten! Jawohl!

[MDLNB]

We have been part of the "Anonymous Crusader's" complaints also. It has spilled into Tamarind Grove. It seems to be random, as I have neighbors who still have some modest ornaments in their front gardens. Or, it could be vindictive, not sure as it is all anonymous. Our ornament was quite modest, yet attractive. All of our neighbors loved it. We have been here for four years now, this is NOT a "friendly" place as advertised. Speeders zoom up and down our street, but an attractive ornament is verboten! Jawohl!

It appears that another Villages terrorist has struck again...:boom:

[looneycat]

I've seen enough developments without deed restrictions in our area, those modest ornaments add up until the whole place looks like a posterior pucker!

[mfp509]

I am in favor of Community Standards however, not in the way it is done here. I don't agree with complaint driven. There is no reason why Neighborhood Watch, on their rounds, can't make note of an address with possible violation and turn it in to Commuity Standards at the end of their shift. Then a staff member is sent out to check. I'd like to know the reason behind The Villages "passing the buck" to the residents when they are the ones getting a salary.

[Jim 9922]

Personally, I don't plan to sell and move from my home, so all the value does to my home is manipulate the rate of my taxes. My point is not to encourage one to violate the rules, but to think about one's glass house before casting stones. I have some very close friends/neighbors that have color schemes or ornaments that I consider quite ugly or contrasting to the rest of the neighborhood. Would I complain? Never happen, because these old folks are dear friends and it is easy for me to overlook what they find to be pleasing, and what makes them happy in their later years. Maybe if someone else had the same taste and I didn't know them or like them, I could be easier offended by their lack of taste...:icon_wink:

I try to keep my home above set standards so that I can encourage others to bring theirs up to a higher level. If this country was so concerned about laws, then we wouldn't have the illegal immigration problem, or lack of enforcement for federal drug laws, etc.

Just my opinion, and not meant as a slight towards anyone that may perceive that I disagree with them.

Very well said! If we all had the same tastes there would only be vanilla, no chocolate, we could all live in giant grey concrete apartment buildings, etc. Cut a little slack, if things are reasonable, let others enjoy their life too.
Those that complain loudly about the neighbor's bronze birds or concrete turtle, probably adore the Morse's giant "lawn art" such as the phony faded beer signs and covered wagon planter in Spanish Springs, or the cannons "guarding" the entrance to Spanish Springs, or the "wrecked" boats littering Lake Sumter, or the rusting empty grain elevator and windmill that pumps no water in Brownwood, not to mention the silly bronze cowboy, his dog and his "herd" of steers. And I could go on.
Must be in the eye of the beholder.:loco:

[graciegirl]

Very well said! If we all had the same tastes there would only be vanilla, no chocolate, we could all live in giant grey concrete apartment buildings, etc. Cut a little slack, if things are reasonable, let others enjoy their life too.
Those that complain loudly about the neighbor's bronze birds or concrete turtle, probably adore the Morse's giant "lawn art" such as the phony faded beer signs and covered wagon planter in Spanish Springs, or the cannons "guarding" the entrance to Spanish Springs, or the "wrecked" boats littering Lake Sumter, or the rusting empty grain elevator and windmill that pumps no water in Brownwood, not to mention the silly bronze cowboy, his dog and his "herd" of steers. And I could go on.
Must be in the eye of the beholder.:loco:


The bronze cattle remind me of Remington.

http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/UNU/UNU129/cutout-lawn-ornaments_~u16121337.jpg

[Jima64]

Unfortunately what this person making the complaints based on their opinion of what is "intolerable" to them and how it violates the deed restrictions.. I personally find the new homes very bland and unfriendly looking at the empty yards.

[gap2415]

Just out of curiosity, and not out of vindictiveness or whatnot, I wandered my neighborhood examining the nice homes, from the street. I noticed that technically, the majority of homes were in violation of one or more community standards. But, in my opinion the violations are in good or tolerable taste. We have a neighborhood email system that keeps us up to date with the local goings-ons. Some of the older/senior residents that have lived here since the homes were originally built have been quite adamant about "no change." Yet, they have established their small deviations to the rules and have no problem with it. I am referring to driveway changes, yard ornaments, etc. They have been quite vocal about any "new" residents making subtle changes to their homes. Every time I hear of someone complaining about a change, shortly after, it seems I get an email saying that the compliance board has changed their position on the issue, such as door color, home color, driveway color, back wall color (CYV) etc. It seems that once someone in "the clique" wants a change, someone takes action. A petition went around about a year ago to allow home color changes in our one color neighborhood. It was passed by the majority and a color pallet was posted. One our fairly new neighbors, wanting to comply and be accepted in the neighborhood, was first to change their home color. The next door neighbor walked over and examined the newly painted color and declared it to be ugly. Of course, that was from a senior neighbor that was an original owner. The home owner that had the newly painted exterior, also received numerous/many compliments from neighbors throughout the community. Now, others are starting to change their color. Doors are changing from the once standard white to more individually preferred colors, personalizing their homes. A new neighbor moved in recently and installed an interesting, small yard ornament of painted cast iron. It appears to be vintage or antique. I found it interesting, but I heard of a few rumors of disgruntled neighbors making slight of it. Those same complainers have violations in their yards, in form of yard ornaments. Although, I don't find their yard "art" to be ugly or offensive, and don't care.
I hear many of you state "rules are rules" with no semblance of tolerance suggested. I wonder how many of you are "tolerated" by your neighbors, even though they may not "condone."
Neighborhood rules are NOT laws. Yes, we need rules to motivate some folks to comply with majority set standards. But, some rules should have a certain amount of flexibility and tolerance. I see a neighbor's landscaping or lawn ornament that I would not have in my yard. Since I don't like it, does that mean I should find a violation and report it?
Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting the blatant violation of community standards, rather a certain amount of tolerance. The ones complaining about violations of community standards seem to be violating the most important Villages standard: "America's Friendliest Town."
But, rules are after all, rules. :police:

Very nicely said and with the exception of a few literalists, I believe most people believe this...it's the spirit of the rules in this friendliest of neighborhoods. Let's keep it that way.

[gap2415]

Remember-You signed a paper agreeing to keep you place looking nice. If you don't and no one complains, we will become a "Tobacco Road" area probably like what you came from. We police our own- keep it cleaned up and no one can complain.

I believe these types of views are extreme. We are speaking of minor things nothing blatant for sure. It would not be tolerated but can we exhale, laugh out loud and enjoy our very minor nuances of our neighbors and ourselves without fear of someone reporting a small offense than amounts to nothing really. Will we get down to the point of blaming a neighbor because his red leaf dropped from his gutter onto our driveway last night...for that is pessimists direction. Let's enjoy this beautiful community in a spirit of real friendship. Yes you can follow the letter of the law to the extreme but contrast that feeling you get with a smile and a handshake from neighboring friends doing very little harm to you or anyone else.
I also believe any complainer should give their name and address to prove it is a legitimate complaint and not just some busy body with nothing to do but to stir up strife.

[MDLNB]

Very well said! If we all had the same tastes there would only be vanilla, no chocolate, we could all live in giant grey concrete apartment buildings, etc. Cut a little slack, if things are reasonable, let others enjoy their life too.
Those that complain loudly about the neighbor's bronze birds or concrete turtle, probably adore the Morse's giant "lawn art" such as the phony faded beer signs and covered wagon planter in Spanish Springs, or the cannons "guarding" the entrance to Spanish Springs, or the "wrecked" boats littering Lake Sumter, or the rusting empty grain elevator and windmill that pumps no water in Brownwood, not to mention the silly bronze cowboy, his dog and his "herd" of steers. And I could go on.
Must be in the eye of the beholder.:loco:

:agree:

[MDLNB]

I believe these types of views are extreme. We are speaking of minor things nothing blatant for sure. It would not be tolerated but can we exhale, laugh out loud and enjoy our very minor nuances of our neighbors and ourselves without fear of someone reporting a small offense than amounts to nothing really. Will we get down to the point of blaming a neighbor because his red leaf dropped from his gutter onto our driveway last night...for that is pessimists direction. Let's enjoy this beautiful community in a spirit of real friendship. Yes you can follow the letter of the law to the extreme but contrast that feeling you get with a smile and a handshake from neighboring friends doing very little harm to you or anyone else.
I also believe any complainer should give their name and address to prove it is a legitimate complaint and not just some busy body with nothing to do but to stir up strife.

Well said. :agree:

[MDLNB]

Unfortunately what this person making the complaints based on their opinion of what is "intolerable" to them and how it violates the deed restrictions.. I personally find the new homes very bland and unfriendly looking at the empty yards.

I agree. In my opinion, after reading the first post/complaint, the person making 30 complaints in the area must have an ax to grind or agenda of some sort. I'll bet you a dollar to a donut that he/she was ticked off about receiving a complaint themselves.

And I also agree about the present state of the new homes. Almost makes you think of entering a military housing area.

[MDLNB]

I've seen enough developments without deed restrictions in our area, those modest ornaments add up until the whole place looks like a posterior pucker!
I observe all things, I just don't give a damn about most!


Do I detect a contradiction?

[CFrance]

I think more people complain on paper (i.e., here or to friends) about deed restriction violations than actually call and complain officially. I believe that rules are rules and should be followed, but unless I saw something that blighted the neighborhood (ratty car on blocks, RV permanently parked, dead or overgrown yard), I wouldn't complain about it.

The few who ride around taking notes and filing numerous complaints at one time are unhappy, vindictive little power mongers, IMO. I think the compliance people should ignore them. If they are so adamant about following their own rules (must follow up on any complaints), they ought to do their own checks.

[broycenjuice]

Why is deed compliance not going after bank owned houses that have weeds in the driveways, overgrown shrubs, burnt out lawns and a run down house?

[MDLNB]

I think more people complain on paper (i.e., here or to friends) about deed restriction violations than actually call and complain officially. I believe that rules are rules and should be followed, but unless I saw something that blighted the neighborhood (ratty car on blocks, RV permanently parked, dead or overgrown yard), I wouldn't complain about it.

The few who ride around taking notes and filing numerous complaints at one time are unhappy, vindictive little power mongers, IMO. I think the compliance people should ignore them. If they are so adamant about following their own rules (must follow up on any complaints), they ought to do their own checks.

:agree:

[Polar Bear]

Why is deed compliance not going after bank owned houses that have weeds in the driveways, overgrown shrubs, burnt out lawns and a run down house?
As a long-time manager of an engineering section involved in code enforcement, I can attest that bank-owned homes are about the most difficult to deal with when it comes to correcting code violations. Most banks pretty much ignore notices, and there is little leverage. Threat of a lien gets a homeowner's attention quickly. Not so much for a bank.

[Bogie Shooter]

Very well said! If we all had the same tastes there would only be vanilla, no chocolate, we could all live in giant grey concrete apartment buildings, etc. Cut a little slack, if things are reasonable, let others enjoy their life too.
Those that complain loudly about the neighbor's bronze birds or concrete turtle, probably adore the Morse's giant "lawn art" such as the phony faded beer signs and covered wagon planter in Spanish Springs, or the cannons "guarding" the entrance to Spanish Springs, or the "wrecked" boats littering Lake Sumter, or the rusting empty grain elevator and windmill that pumps no water in Brownwood, not to mention the silly bronze cowboy, his dog and his "herd" of steers. And I could go on.
Must be in the eye of the beholder.:loco:

Really??

[DonH57]

I agree. In my opinion, after reading the first post/complaint, the person making 30 complaints in the area must have an ax to grind or agenda of some sort. I'll bet you a dollar to a donut that he/she was ticked off about receiving a complaint themselves.

And I also agree about the present state of the new homes. Almost makes you think of entering a military housing area.

I believed earlier someone used the name "Anonymous Crusaders". Catchy name! These people tie up so much compliance department time you just got to trust the compliance staff pretty much know 95 percent are without merit before they leave the desk to check them out. I don't know how much things have changed in the military since i was in but military housing was the tightest restrictive housing I've seen.

[Bogie Shooter]

Why is deed compliance not going after bank owned houses that have weeds in the driveways, overgrown shrubs, burnt out lawns and a run down house?

What makes you think that they are not??

[beachx4me]

Really? Very sad and pitiful? This would be way at the bottom of my sad and pitiful list. :cryin2: Namaste.

Yes, really and seriously. I find it sad that someone has self appointed themselves as the yard patrol. With the time they are spending doing this they could actually be doing something fun.

And now it has stopped raining and I intend to do something fun!!

[MDLNB]

yes, really and seriously. I find it sad that someone has self appointed themselves as the yard patrol. With the time they are spending doing this they could actually be doing something fun.

And now it has stopped raining and i intend to do something fun!!

amen !!

[Bonny]

What makes you think that they are not??
This house has been sitting for a few years. It's 2 doors down from us. Overgrown bushes cover most of the front, the flower beds are filled with tall weeds and the driveway cracks are weeds. The lawn is totally burned. It's just awful.

[Barefoot]

Those that complain loudly about the neighbor's bronze birds or concrete turtle, probably adore the Morse's giant "lawn art" such as the phony faded beer signs and covered wagon planter in Spanish Springs, or the cannons "guarding" the entrance to Spanish Springs, or the "wrecked" boats littering Lake Sumter, or the rusting empty grain elevator and windmill that pumps no water in Brownwood, not to mention the silly bronze cowboy, his dog and his "herd" of steers.
I have never complained about a neighbor.
But then I also think the artifacts that create the personality and the ambiance for the three Town Squares
are appropriate and delightful.
I especially like the "silly bronze cowboy, his dog and his herd of steers". :thumbup:

[Bonny]

Why is deed compliance not going after bank owned houses that have weeds in the driveways, overgrown shrubs, burnt out lawns and a run down house?
Sure hope they do something soon. I sick of looking at it too !! :22yikes:

[Polar Bear]

...I also think the artifacts that create the personality and the ambiance for the three Town Squares are appropriate and delightful...
Same here. Plus...they don't violate any deed restrictions. :)

[DonH57]

When we moved to TV the house next to us was vacant and had been for no less than 6 years. The place looked worse than the Addam's family place.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying (there was topsoil on it to regrow), then she said I had a flower pot with no plant in it. Also, there were a couple of weeds.

I was steaming mad and called the office to see who complained. They told me that there were approximately 30 complaints registered that day by the same person. All the complaints were around the Buttonwood area.

Of course, the complaints were made anonymously.

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.

When properties are not kept up, it affects the value of all of the properties surrounding it. It's important that people feel that they can complain without fear of retribution. I don't know that I'd want less complaints. In fact in my neighborhood, I feel that more complaints are needed.

It might be that in your case, the complaint was not justified, but does that mean that we want the the number of complaints to drop down? Based on your description it doesn't sound like there was any serious violation on your part. The unfortunate part of having anonymity is that people can make unjustified complaints.

Not maintaining you property properly and dragging down the value of your neighbors property doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto either.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Why is deed compliance not going after bank owned houses that have weeds in the driveways, overgrown shrubs, burnt out lawns and a run down house?

Actually, if you call and complain, they will have someone come out and cut the grass and trim the shrubs. A lien will be filed on the property and The Villages will get their money when it is sold. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes years to determine who is the rightful owner of some of these properties. People die without wills and heirs cannot be found or refuse to take ownership. It may take a bank six months or more to foreclose on a property. Its not always a simple or quick fix.

[Bonny]

Actually, if you call and complain, they will have someone come out and cut the grass and trim the shrubs. A lien will be filed on the property and The Villages will get their money when it is sold. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes years to determine who is the rightful owner of some of these properties. People die without wills and heirs cannot be found or refuse to take ownership. It may take a bank six months or more to foreclose on a property. Its not always a simple or quick fix.
We have all have called and called. They pretty much just cut the dead lawn filled with weeds. They cut a few bushes here and there, but not so good in the weeding department.

[graciegirl]

We have all have called and called. They pretty much just cut the dead lawn filled with weeds. They cut a few bushes here and there, but not so good in the weeding department.


The lending institution can choose to ignore the demands of the compliance and the fines stack up. It happens everywhere. Thank Goodness not as often here as in other areas, but it still is frustrating.



But that technically isn't the issue we were discussing. We were discussing people being annoyed that they got a notice. A notice only comes if the person is non compliant, not on the whim of the complainer The complainer can say they don't like your curtains, but compliance can't send a note about that. It has to be something covered in the deed restrictions.

[THUNDERCHIEF]

I agree people should take care of their lawn- i have a beautiful lawn until people from other streets walk their dogs at night and let them pee on my grass-- the next day i have brown spots on the lawn- i can't believe people would bring their dogs to someone else's property to do their business. I put signs out please keep your dog off the grass-- then someone reported i had illegal lawn art in the yard-- wow subdivision living--- THE DEED DEPARTMENT SAID THEY CAN'T CONTROL THE DOGS ITS A CIVIL MATTER- THEY SAID CALL THE POLICE AND GET PICTURES

[graciegirl]

I agree people should take care of their lawn- i have a beautiful lawn until people from other streets walk their dogs at night and let them pee on my grass-- the next day i have brown spots on the lawn- i can't believe people would bring their dogs to someone else's property to do their business. I put signs out please keep your dog off the grass-- then someone reported i had illegal lawn art in the yard-- wow subdivision living---



Your signs were non compliant. No signs allowed. I suggest you scream at the peeers and their owners so people can call the cops on you disturbing the peace. ;)


It doesn't take long for things to turn into a poop thread.

[MDLNB]

When properties are not kept up, it affects the value of all of the properties surrounding it. It's important that people feel that they can complain without fear of retribution. I don't know that I'd want less complaints. In fact in my neighborhood, I feel that more complaints are needed.

It might be that in your case, the complaint was not justified, but does that mean that we want the the number of complaints to drop down? Based on your description it doesn't sound like there was any serious violation on your part. The unfortunate part of having anonymity is that people can make unjustified complaints.

Not maintaining you property properly and dragging down the value of your neighbors property doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto either.

I assume that you noticed that the poster stated that there were at least 30 complaints made in the area by that person. You can pretty much surmise by that information that the complainant had an agenda, and was not in the spirit of "Friendly Neighborhood" correction.

Other than abandoned or foreclosed homes going into disrepair, I have not seen any evidence in the Villages of neighborhoods being drug down. But, I have seen some pretty interesting properties, some of which have been spotlighted in the Daily Sun.

I was visiting a friend in a different neighborhood (North of 466) about a year ago and noticed that one neighbor had a wine bottle tree in his/her yard. They also had some other less conspicuous items of interest, such as a water fountain at their front door. Although, I personally wouldn't have a wine bottle tree, I still found it interesting if not somewhat pleasant. I realize that this is not something that you would consider "dragging down" the neighborhood value.

I too believe in rules, but in this case someone was "using" those rules as a tool in their agenda or to be vindictive. 30 complaints? I bet I could find something for them to be doing more entertaining than irritating the neighbors and the Community Standards police.

[Bonny]

The lending institution can choose to ignore the demands of the compliance and the fines stack up. It happens everywhere. Thank Goodness not as often here as in other areas, but it still is frustrating.



But that technically isn't the issue we were discussing. We were discussing people being annoyed that they got a notice. A notice only comes if the person is non compliant, not on the whim of the complainer The complainer can say they don't like your curtains, but compliance can't send a note about that. It has to be something covered in the deed restrictions.
I realize what the thread was about. I was only commenting on some other things that were posted.

[graciegirl]

I assume that you noticed that the poster stated that there were at least 30 complaints made in the area by that person. You can pretty much surmise by that information that the complainant had an agenda, and was not in the spirit of "Friendly Neighborhood" correction.

Other than abandoned or foreclosed homes going into disrepair, I have not seen any evidence in the Villages of neighborhoods being drug down. But, I have seen some pretty interesting properties, some of which have been spotlighted in the Daily Sun.

I was visiting a friend in a different neighborhood (North of 466) about a year ago and noticed that one neighbor had a wine bottle tree in his/her yard. They also had some other less conspicuous items of interest, such as a water fountain at their front door. Although, I personally wouldn't have a wine bottle tree, I still found it interesting if not somewhat pleasant. I realize that this is not something that you would consider "dragging down" the neighborhood value.

I too believe in rules, but in this case someone was "using" those rules as a tool in their agenda or to be vindictive. 30 complaints? I bet I could find something for them to be doing more entertaining than irritating the neighbors and the Community Standards police.







And therein lies the reason for deed restrictions. Apparently a wine bottle tree is allowed where you saw it. I would like to go on record as saying I don't think I would like a wine bottle tree or a beer bottle tree or a milk bottle tree, but hey, that is MY personal taste. None of them are allowed where we live, thank heavens .

Apparently where you live those things are allowed, so relax and enjoy them. Even if the serial yard reporter turned in that tree, it would be fine. People have a choice to live where they want in The Villages. I like strict deed restrictions.

[Bavarian]

Maybe a possible remedy would be for deed compliance to filter the complaints so that only real complaints go through. And try to check with homeowner to see if brown spots on lawn are their fault of loose dogs.

[graciegirl]

Maybe a possible remedy would be for deed compliance to filter the complaints so that only real complaints go through. And try to check with homeowner to see if brown spots on lawn are their fault of loose dogs.



Deed compliance only sends a letter if someone is out of compliance not just because someone complained. It has to be a an issue that is on the deed restriction, not just because someone bitched.

I apologize to everyone for being so upset and so direct about this. This is something that matters to me a lot, as you can see.

[MDLNB]

Perhaps, being one that has lived and visited several other countries and enjoyed or hazarded different cultures, I have more patience than some. Of course, I am probably not as "senior" as many in The Villages either. I try to keep my property looking as good or better than most in my neighborhood. I try to be a good neighbor and assist others when needed, since I still can. One person's junk is another person's treasure. Some folks like to display their imagination so that others can enjoy it. Perhaps the motto of "The Friendliest Home Town in America" is a misnomer? Or do we just have a few in some neighborhoods that need everything to be to THEIR liking or can't be flexible with other folks likes. Thank goodness for my neighborhood.

I agree with most of you that state that "rules are rules" but rules are not laws. I have seen laws violated in The Villages, with no one being concerned. But, let your grass grow a bit high or develop a grass fungus and you had better take care of it fast or someone may pounce on you in their due diligence.

I have been a bit facetious in my posts. I rarely participate in these, but the rain has kept me inside today away from my grill/smoker. I was really looking forward to some apple wood smoked, pulled pork. Oh well, I digress. I may have to gather up my best half and drive down to Oakwood to quench my craving for BBQ.

A wine bottle tree is not my personal taste either, but it didn't bother me in the slightest. It may have bothered their neighbors though. Some folks need something to bother them or they wouldn't feel alive. Stress can be very detrimental to your health.

I will bet that the poster's neighbors knew that she was attempting to repair her damaged lawn and therefore did not bother complaining. An empty flower pot? My snowbird neighbors left town for the summer, leaving several with dead plants in them. It's hardly worth being disturbed over.

To the poster that received the complaint, God Bless you. At least you know that the folks that deal with policing community standards are doing their part. Don't stress. Look at all that work that the complainant went through to agitate 30 other residents. Pray for that person. They have to be in a very unhappy place.

[Polar Bear]

I apologize to everyone for being so upset and so direct about this. This is something that matters to me a lot, as you can see.

<furiously fans towel in gg's direction>

[MDLNB]

Deed compliance only sends a letter if someone is out of compliance not just because someone complained. It has to be a an issue that is on the deed restriction, not just because someone bitched.

I apologize to everyone for being so upset and so direct about this. This is something that matters to me a lot, as you can see.

I can see that you are very concerned about this subject and I respect that. I see no reason for your apology. If anyone should apologize, it should be me for agitating some on by taking the "devil's advocate" side, so to speak. I see that you have been a member for quite some time and you have participated in hundreds of conversations. I value your experience and input and hope that I have not participated in muddying your day. God Bless you.

[MDLNB]

Maybe a possible remedy would be for deed compliance to filter the complaints so that only real complaints go through. And try to check with homeowner to see if brown spots on lawn are their fault of loose dogs.

Darn those dogs!! We didn't have that problem in Vietnam. They made a tasty meal when prepared properly. :mmmm:

[dbussone]

Darn those dogs!! We didn't have that problem in Vietnam. They made a tasty meal when prepared properly. :mmmm:


Thank you for your service. (But please stay away from Harry - my dog.)

[Barefoot]

I was visiting a friend in a different neighborhood (North of 466) about a year ago and noticed that one neighbor had a wine bottle tree in his/her yard. . Although, I personally wouldn't have a wine bottle tree, I still found it interesting if not somewhat pleasant. I realize that this is not something that you would consider "dragging down" the neighborhood value. I'm trying to imagine a pleasant wine bottle tree. :shocked: Nope, can't visualize it.

[Mama C]

We bought in TV because properties are well kept--I myself want the deed restrictions and although I don't like to have to report violations --when you affect how I feel driving thru the area, I will do it--anonymously

[Mama C]

We bought in TV because properties are well kept--I myself want the deed restrictions and although I don't like to have to report violations --when you affect how I feel driving thru the area, I will do it--anonymously--it's nothing against you personally, I just like my eye candy!

[MDLNB]

I'm trying to imagine a pleasant wine bottle tree. :shocked: Nope, can't visualize it.

Hey, it was art. Where's your portent for diverse culture?..:wine:

[MDLNB]

Thank you for your service. (But please stay away from Harry - my dog.)

No worry, I love animals. Smoked, sauteed, deep fried, with gravy...:mmmm:

We have pets also, so I empathize with the care and maintenance requirement. But, the life they give us as well as prolonging our life is priceless. But, I am still a carnivore...:pepper2:

[MDLNB]

One person's "eye candy" may be boring to others. Some like Rembrandt and others Picasso. I kind of favor Vargas.

[Barefoot]

Where's your portent for diverse culture?..

I must be lacking in portent. :confused: I had to google it to find a meaning!
We are talking about whether a wine-bottle tree is a tasteful lawn ornament, right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------

por�tent
ˈp�rˌtent/
noun
noun: portent; plural noun: portents
1.
a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
"they believed that wild birds in the house were portents of death"

[TheVillageChicken]

I must be lacking in portent. :confused: I had to google it to find a meaning!
We are talking about whether a wine-bottle tree is a tasteful lawn ornament, right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------

por�tent
ˈp�rˌtent/
noun
noun: portent; plural noun: portents
1.
a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
"they believed that wild birds in the house were portents of death"

I was born and raised in the land of bottle trees. They are not lawn ornaments, but rather ward off evil spirits. The spirits are attracted to the sparkling color of the bottles, blue ones seemingly more enticing. The moaning sound made by the wind as it passes over the bottle openings are proof that a spirit is trapped within.

[Loudoll]

It has to be reported before Deed Compliance can act.

I have no sympathy for people trying to evade deed compliance. It is one of the main reasons many of us bought here..

Wholeheartedly agree and no, the complainer should not have to give his/her name. If there is no infraction, case closed.

[MDLNB]

I must be lacking in portent. :confused: I had to google it to find a meaning!
We are talking about whether a wine-bottle tree is a tasteful lawn ornament, right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------

por�tent
ˈp�rˌtent/
noun
noun: portent; plural noun: portents
1.
a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
"they believed that wild birds in the house were portents of death"

Ouch! I meant to use the term "penchant." My bad. I didn't think that a Coors light (or two) would have that much effect. On the other hand, look at the positive side of my mistake. You paid attention to my ramblings. Thus, you have made my day...:mademyday:

[CFrance]

I'm trying to imagine a pleasant wine bottle tree. :shocked: Nope, can't visualize it.
It would be one wherein the wine bottles are still full, waiting to be enjoyed.

[dbussone]

It would be one wherein the wine bottles are still full, waiting to be enjoyed.


And in that case, the bottles are a portent of a lovely evening.

[CFrance]

And in that case, the bottles are a portent of a lovely evening.
I have a penchant for that portent:wine:

[Barefoot]

I was born and raised in the land of bottle trees. They are not lawn ornaments, but rather ward off evil spirits. The spirits are attracted to the sparkling color of the bottles, blue ones seemingly more enticing. The moaning sound made by the wind as it passes over the bottle openings are proof that a spirit is trapped within. You never fail to amaze me.

It would be one wherein the wine bottles are still full, waiting to be enjoyed.
In that case, I think wine-bottle trees should grow on everyone's lawn.

[CFrance]

You never fail to amaze me.


In that case, I think wine-bottle trees should grow on everyone's lawn.

Especially if it's that kind of plant where if you pinch it back, it grows even more bottles.

[dbussone]

I just planted a nice empty bottle of Bordeaux on my side lawn. Can't wait for that tree to produce fruit. The cork was planted on the front lawn hoping for Beaujolais Nouveau to appear there. If this works, I'm planting an orchard.

[CFrance]

I just planted a nice empty bottle of Bordeaux on my side lawn. Can't wait for that tree to produce fruit. The cork was planted on the front lawn hoping for Beaujolais Nouveau to appear there. If this works, I'm planting an orchard.
:a20:

[DonH57]

I was born and raised in the land of bottle trees. They are not lawn ornaments, but rather ward off evil spirits. The spirits are attracted to the sparkling color of the bottles, blue ones seemingly more enticing. The moaning sound made by the wind as it passes over the bottle openings are proof that a spirit is trapped within.

Excellent. I like this.:wave:

[JCMSr]

Deed compliance only sends a letter if someone is out of compliance not just because someone complained. It has to be a an issue that is on the deed restriction, not just because someone bitched.

I apologize to everyone for being so upset and so direct about this. This is something that matters to me a lot, as you can see.

Gracie I am with you on this subject. Deed restrictions are there to protect everyone's investment as well as to attempt to provide a way to determine what is acceptable vs. unacceptable without bringing tastes, personalities, or just plain old common sense (or lack thereof) into the equation. These restrictions were there when each of us purchased our homes and like it or not we agreed to abide by them. Those who now wish to pick and choose which parts of the restrictions they will comply with and ignore the rest are the one's creating the problems, not the person who turns them in. I would be willing to bet that the majority of the rules infractions are simply due to oversight or, in my case at least, a failing memory when it comes to understanding and remembering the specifics of the restrictive covenants. A simple reminder or better yet a question properly phrased by a neighbor would go a long way toward eliminating any embarrassment or ill feelings on the part of the violator. If that does not work or if they choose to continue to ignore their responsibilities as a property owner after being told of a possible infraction they cannot shoot the messenger just because they do not like the message.

Some folks prefer to avoid confrontation at all costs and reporting an infraction anonymously gives them a voice. On the other hand, some people do not know how to address these types of situations in a non confrontational way and using a third party in these instances is probably a win win for both sides. Making action by the Villages Compliance Officers dependent upon a complaint being filed also keeps matters in check for those who wish to complain about the big, bad developer taking advantage of us poor old folks just wanting to live in peace and harmony.

The bottom line is this. The deed restrictions exist and ignorance does not give anyone the green light to ignore them and do as they please. Want to get along with your neighbors? Follow the rules! Simple but effective.

[samhass]

I am in favor of Community Standards however, not in the way it is done here. I don't agree with complaint driven. There is no reason why Neighborhood Watch, on their rounds, can't make note of an address with possible violation and turn it in to Commuity Standards at the end of their shift. Then a staff member is sent out to check. I'd like to know the reason behind The Villages "passing the buck" to the residents when they are the ones getting a salary.

Amen!!

[Barefoot]

I just planted a nice empty bottle of Bordeaux on my side lawn. Can't wait for that tree to produce fruit. The cork was planted on the front lawn hoping for Beaujolais Nouveau to appear there. If this works, I'm planting an orchard.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure to report you to Deed Compliance.
And then I'll come by to confiscate the fruits of your labor. :evil6:

[CFrance]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure to report you to Deed Compliance.
And then I'll come by to confiscate the fruits of your labor. :evil6:
Not if I get there first.:D

[golfing eagles]

I was born and raised in the land of bottle trees. They are not lawn ornaments, but rather ward off evil spirits. The spirits are attracted to the sparkling color of the bottles, blue ones seemingly more enticing. The moaning sound made by the wind as it passes over the bottle openings are proof that a spirit is trapped within.

If you want to catch evil spirits, call Ghostbusters. Please leave your empty bottles in the recycling bag. On the other hand, it might make good target practice for the "seniors with guns"

[gap2415]

Look at all the posts and fun we have had with this!

BTW....a guide to the present moment ebook is a free download on google docs.....says a lot in regards to posts like this...entertaining too!

[Challenger]

Gracie I am with you on this subject. Deed restrictions are there to protect everyone's investment as well as to attempt to provide a way to determine what is acceptable vs. unacceptable without bringing tastes, personalities, or just plain old common sense (or lack thereof) into the equation. These restrictions were there when each of us purchased our homes and like it or not we agreed to abide by them. Those who now wish to pick and choose which parts of the restrictions they will comply with and ignore the rest are the one's creating the problems, not the person who turns them in. I would be willing to bet that the majority of the rules infractions are simply due to oversight or, in my case at least, a failing memory when it comes to understanding and remembering the specifics of the restrictive covenants. A simple reminder or better yet a question properly phrased by a neighbor would go a long way toward eliminating any embarrassment or ill feelings on the part of the violator. If that does not work or if they choose to continue to ignore their responsibilities as a property owner after being told of a possible infraction they cannot shoot the messenger just because they do not like the message.

Some folks prefer to avoid confrontation at all costs and reporting an infraction anonymously gives them a voice. On the other hand, some people do not know how to address these types of situations in a non confrontational way and using a third party in these instances is probably a win win for both sides. Making action by the Villages Compliance Officers dependent upon a complaint being filed also keeps matters in check for those who wish to complain about the big, bad developer taking advantage of us poor old folks just wanting to live in peace and harmony.

The bottom line is this. The deed restrictions exist and ignorance does not give anyone the green light to ignore them and do as they please. Want to get along with your neighbors? Follow the rules! Simple but effective.

Well stated!!

[patricia Wilder]

I am one the "Buttonwood Islanders" reported! I am not trying to evade compliance! I have been struggling with my lawn for over 4 years since I moved in. Most of the sod has never taken.I have talked to the Villages 3 times in 4 years. The first 2 years they said "water more" amd my water bills were high. I have used 3 lawn treatment companies in 4 years. The second one "fired me" last Aug. because he didn't want to put his sign on my lousy lawn. He said I didn't water enough but my water bills were high and I kept getting those letters from the water authority about overuse. I wrote the Villages Warranty Office again in Nov. 2014 outlining my 4 year struggle. A man came and agreed my lawn was bad. I asked that the Villages pay for a re-sod but all he could offer was getting a good price from one of their companies. The company came but the "good price" and what that provided me was not acceptable. Since Dec, I am working with my 3rd lawn care company. I have had the sprinkler system checked - it is ok. They have checked the soil - there is minimal to no soil on the areas where the weeds have taken over the lawn. I am embarrassed - at my wits end.

[Villageswimmer]

I am one the "Buttonwood Islanders" reported! I am not trying to evade compliance! I have been struggling with my lawn for over 4 years since I moved in. Most of the sod has never taken.I have talked to the Villages 3 times in 4 years. The first 2 years they said "water more" amd my water bills were high. I have used 3 lawn treatment companies in 4 years. The second one "fired me" last Aug. because he didn't want to put his sign on my lousy lawn. He said I didn't water enough but my water bills were high and I kept getting those letters from the water authority about overuse. I wrote the Villages Warranty Office again in Nov. 2014 outlining my 4 year struggle. A man came and agreed my lawn was bad. I asked that the Villages pay for a re-sod but all he could offer was getting a good price from one of their companies. The company came but the "good price" and what that provided me was not acceptable. Since Dec, I am working with my 3rd lawn care company. I have had the sprinkler system checked - it is ok. They have checked the soil - there is minimal to no soil on the areas where the weeds have taken over the lawn. I am embarrassed - at my wits end.


Doesn't this prove there are always 2 sides to a conflict? So sorry for all the trouble you've been having. Sounds like you've bent over backwards to improve that lawn. Have you tried calling the Sumter County Extension Service? 352-569-6864. They're very helpful and experts in turf management.

[DonH57]

Doesn't this prove there are always 2 sides to a conflict? So sorry for all the trouble you've been having. Sounds like you've bent over backwards to improve that lawn. Have you tried calling the Sumter County Extension Service? 352-569-6864. They're very helpful and experts in turf management.

That's who I would recommend you call. I'm in no way a gardner but I think you have a soil problem. Maybe a chemical imbalance?

[Walt.]

Received a visit from someone from the deed compliance office. It seems someone complained that I had some grass that was dying...

If someone has a complaint, they should have to put there name down, especially when there are over 30 complaints.

Some people must have nothing better to do then drive around neighborhoods and report just about anything.

If my lawn was bad, I would just shrug it off, but having sneaky, vicious people just doesn't fit into the "Friendly Neighborhood" motto.

Force people to give there names and I bet the complaints drop down considerably.

Right. Then the meanest, rottenest person could do whatever the hell he wanted to do because everyone would be afraid of retaliation.
My question is... if you had found out who complained what did you plan to do about it?

[Jima64]

sounds like a lot of people have examined the lawn and offered solutions although they might turn out expensive. Resodding can be, but if you have a lousy soil base to lay it on you might have the same problems. I am surprised there isn't a knowledgeable person in the county ag department that can't offer solutions.

[Barefoot]

My question is... if you had found out who complained what did you plan to do about it? Exactly my question. The possible scenarios are scary. :shocked:
A reported resident could become very belligerent and threatening, even dangerous.
Much better to have the process remain anonymous.

[CFrance]

Exactly my question. The possible scenarios are scary. :shocked:
A reported resident could become very belligerent and threatening, even dangerous.
Much better to have the process remain anonymous.
Well, I might take my plastic pink flamingo and sneak it onto their lawn after dark and then call compliance to lodge a complaint.

[looneycat]

Well, I might take my plastic pink flamingo and sneak it onto their lawn after dark and then call compliance to lodge a complaint.

beer social followed by a pee party on the lawn.....just remember to not spell your own name....

[MDLNB]

That's who I would recommend you call. I'm in no way a gardner but I think you have a soil problem. Maybe a chemical imbalance?

"..chemical imbalance?" After reading some of the posts on here, I could see a bit of "chemical imbalance." :loco::loco::loco::pepper2:

[DonH57]

"..chemical imbalance?" After reading some of the posts on here, I could see a bit of "chemical imbalance." :loco::loco::loco::pepper2:

Not the soil.:1rotfl:

[MDLNB]

Thank goodness for my neighborhood. I observe a lot of violations, but nothing that I would see that I would call offensive. Of course, it appears that we have more TOLERANCE than some of the posters above and residents in other neighborhoods. I had thought of buying a larger place with a larger garage, but now I see how nice our neighborhood is. Gotta love it when folks say "well, rules are rules" and then break traffic laws every day. Oh, that must be different, right? I don't cast labels of hypocrite because I have glass windows too. Gotta love this American "tolerance" that only seems to exist when it conveniently works for you. Like I said before and I reiterate, in this instance if the complainant has gone around the area making over 30 complaints, then that person most likely is not doing it to better her neighborhood, but to further an agenda or is being vindictive. So much for The Villages being "the friendliest hometown in America." But, this is just my opinion, and I do respect other opinions, even if I don't totally agree. Like the saying goes "good fences make good neighbors" or something like that. I like to modify that to say "high fences make good neighbors. That's why I live in a courtyard villa.
I'll close with two words: Tolerate and condone. There are things that many of us don't condone, but yet we tolerate. Some folks can't condone something and they refuse/won't tolerate it.

[looneycat]

Thank goodness for my neighborhood. I observe a lot of violations, but nothing that I would see that I would call offensive. Of course, it appears that we have more TOLERANCE than some of the posters above and residents in other neighborhoods. I had thought of buying a larger place with a larger garage, but now I see how nice our neighborhood is. Gotta love it when folks say "well, rules are rules" and then break traffic laws every day. Oh, that must be different, right? I don't cast labels of hypocrite because I have glass windows too. Gotta love this American "tolerance" that only seems to exist when it conveniently works for you. Like I said before and I reiterate, in this instance if the complainant has gone around the area making over 30 complaints, then that person most likely is not doing it to better her neighborhood, but to further an agenda or is being vindictive. So much for The Villages being "the friendliest hometown in America." But, this is just my opinion, and I do respect other opinions, even if I don't totally agree. Like the saying goes "good fences make good neighbors" or something like that. I like to modify that to say "high fences make good neighbors. That's why I live in a courtyard villa.
I'll close with two words: Tolerate and condone. There are things that many of us don't condone, but yet we tolerate. Some folks can't condone something and they refuse/won't tolerate it.

all you intolerant unfriendly people out there, you weren't just labeled, you just live in the 'wrong' neighborhood. in my neighborhood we don't need to feel better by putting other areas down....just saying.
One thing I don't tolerate is people who don't follow deed restrictions turning the beautiful place I bought into a crap hole...

[MDLNB]

all you intolerant unfriendly people out there, you weren't just labeled, you just live in the 'wrong' neighborhood. in my neighborhood we don't need to feel better by putting other areas down....just saying.
One thing I don't tolerate is people who don't follow deed restrictions turning the beautiful place I bought into a crap hole...

And then, some folks violate the deed restrictions and make a neighborhood better than it was. Of course, I can understand how that would upset some folks also. After all, who wants someone INCREASING the home value in the neighborhoods, right? In our neighborhood, we can't install pavers on our driveway. If someone broke that rule and put pavers in and it looked good, then everyone else would want them. Just an example. Everyone has different tastes. You know what they say about opinions right? But, this was not about deed restrictions, was it? It was about one person going around a neighborhood, writing 30 or more complaints. Someone with nothing better to do. Some very unhappy person with an agenda. Of course, there are probably many on here that would not need deed restrictions to make their home conform to community standards. Then also, there are those on here that NEED a sense of regime. You WILL conform or be assimilated...:rolleyes: I don't "condone" one's breaking some of the rules, but I do "tolerate" it in most cases. I have yet to see a bad neighborhood, so apparently most violations are subtle in nature. Since I have not yet endured a complaint I can't really empathize with the poster, but I can sympathize with her. She obviously should have known better than to look for that by sounding off with her frustration on here. But, I bet she does know now, that "rules are rules."

[NavyNJ]

And then, some folks violate the deed restrictions and make a neighborhood better than it was. Of course, I can understand how that would upset some folks also. After all, who wants someone INCREASING the home value in the neighborhoods, right? In our neighborhood, we can't install pavers on our driveway. If someone broke that rule and put pavers in and it looked good, then everyone else would want them. Just an example. Everyone has different tastes. You know what they say about opinions right? But, this was not about deed restrictions, was it? It was about one person going around a neighborhood, writing 30 or more complaints. Someone with nothing better to do. Some very unhappy person with an agenda. Of course, there are probably many on here that would not need deed restrictions to make their home conform to community standards. Then also, there are those on here that NEED a sense of regime. You WILL conform or be assimilated...:rolleyes: I don't "condone" one's breaking some of the rules, but I do "tolerate" it in most cases. I have yet to see a bad neighborhood, so apparently most violations are subtle in nature. Since I have not yet endured a complaint I can't really empathize with the poster, but I can sympathize with her. She obviously should have known better than to look for that by sounding off with her frustration on here. But, I bet she does know now, that "rules are rules."


Wow! There's actually a CDD in TV that does not allow driveway pavers as part of their deed restrictions?? Would never have guessed that from just randomly driving around. Seems to be a common practice almost everywhere I've seen. Could you share which CDD has that restriction??

[Bonny]

Wow! There's actually a CDD in TV that does not allow driveway pavers as part of their deed restrictions?? Would never have guessed that from just randomly driving around. Seems to be a common practice almost everywhere I've seen. Could you share which CDD has that restriction??
The patio villas used to not be able to put in pavers. Now they can because my girlfriend got them.

[MDLNB]

Sure, the courtyard villas up North do not allow pavers. Not that I particularly care, but I do think they look nice. We even have restrictions, which were just recently modified to allow us to paint our driveways....but only a certain color. That will probably be amended once they take into consideration that the color palette for the homes was changed from one color to four. I understand but cannot confirm that they are going to allow different colors for roof tile also. Wow, I sure hope these changes don't lower the value of my property...:rant-rave:

[NavyNJ]

Sure, the courtyard villas up North do not allow pavers. Not that I particularly care, but I do think they look nice. We even have restrictions, which were just recently modified to allow us to paint our driveways....but only a certain color. That will probably be amended once they take into consideration that the color palette for the homes was changed from one color to four. I understand but cannot confirm that they are going to allow different colors for roof tile also. Wow, I sure hope these changes don't lower the value of my property...:rant-rave:

Oh, that's the reason I may not have noticed the difference. Don't spend enough time travelling thru the Villas neighborhoods I guess. You're probably right about the colors for driveways, though. Now that the palette for the homes has changed, it makes sense that the other palettes for drives and roofs will as well. Thanks for the explanation, too! :)

[MDLNB]

Oh, that's the reason I may not have noticed the difference. Don't spend enough time travelling thru the Villas neighborhoods I guess. You're probably right about the colors for driveways, though. Now that the palette for the homes has changed, it makes sense that the other palettes for drives and roofs will as well. Thanks for the explanation, too! :)

I know what you mean. It seems that CYV's are situated like mini forts. Some have only one way in and are like little islands with walls surrounding them. I enjoy riding through neighborhoods to see the differences in landscaping and whatnot, but usually avoid wandering through the courtyards. They're kind of boring anyway. Just my opinion, of course.

[Bavarian]

I would like to know if the complaint came from a Villager or a landscape contractor looking for business.

[HimandMe]

Thank goodness for my neighborhood. I observe a lot of violations, but nothing that I would see that I would call offensive. Of course, it appears that we have more TOLERANCE than some of the posters above and residents in other neighborhoods. I had thought of buying a larger place with a larger garage, but now I see how nice our neighborhood is. Gotta love it when folks say "well, rules are rules" and then break traffic laws every day. Oh, that must be different, right? I don't cast labels of hypocrite because I have glass windows too. Gotta love this American "tolerance" that only seems to exist when it conveniently works for you. Like I said before and I reiterate, in this instance if the complainant has gone around the area making over 30 complaints, then that person most likely is not doing it to better her neighborhood, but to further an agenda or is being vindictive. So much for The Villages being "the friendliest hometown in America." But, this is just my opinion, and I do respect other opinions, even if I don't totally agree. Like the saying goes "good fences make good neighbors" or something like that. I like to modify that to say "high fences make good neighbors. That's why I live in a courtyard villa.
I'll close with two words: Tolerate and condone. There are things that many of us don't condone, but yet we tolerate. Some folks can't condone something and they refuse/won't tolerate it.

I remember Gibran writing,
"You delight in laying down laws, yet delight more in breaking them.
Like children playing by the ocean who build sand towers with constancy and then destroy them with laughter. But while you build your sand towers the ocean brings more sand to the shore, And when you destroy them the ocean laughs with you. Verily the ocean laughs always with the innocent.
But what of those to whom life is not a ocean, and man made laws are not sand towers, But to whom life is a rock, and the law a chisel with which they would carve it in their own image? What of the cripple who hates dancers? What of the ocean who loves his yoke and deems the deer and elk of the forest stray and vagrant things? What of the serpent that cannot shed his skin, and calls all others naked and shameless? And what of him who comes early to the wedding feast, and when over fed and tired goes his way saying that all feasts are violation and all feasters lawbreakers?"
They stand in the sunlight but with their backs to the sun.

[HimandMe]

The Villages is not going to ruin with an empty flower pot or other minor offense but it is a major offense inSOME people's eyes. Rules and laws can be and are changed as needed and slights are just that little slights. Let's live and enjoy our retirement.

[Fred R]

I recently returned to my home here after a 3 month absence and learned that my sprinkler system had not been operating properly. I fixed the system and when the weather permits I will rake up the dead matter and throw some top soil down. I would hope some idiot doesn't try to make an issue since my front lawn looks bad. If so, I would really want to have a discussion with the person. Some folks just can't mind their own damn business.

[CFrance]

I recently returned to my home here after a 3 month absence and learned that my sprinkler system had not been operating properly. I fixed the system and when the weather permits I will rake up the dead matter and throw some top soil down. I would hope some idiot doesn't try to make an issue since my front lawn looks bad. If so, I would really want to have a discussion with the person. Some folks just can't mind their own damn business.
So your neighbors had to live with dead grass for three months because you had no one looking over your house, and you don't consider this anything to complain about?

It's not a case of minding your own damn business. It's a case of making sure your property doesn't drag the neighborhood down or the "idiots" don't have to put up with an ugly blight for however long you choose to be away. You signed up for that responsibility when you bought your house.

[Polar Bear]

So your neighbors had to live with dead grass for three months because you had no one looking over your house, and you don't consider this anything to complain about?

It's not a case of minding your own damn business. It's a case of making sure your property doesn't drag the neighborhood down or the "idiots" don't have to put up with an ugly blight for however long you choose to be away. You signed up for that responsibility when you bought your house.
On the nose.

[gap2415]

So your neighbors had to live with dead grass for three months because you had no one looking over your house, and you don't consider this anything to complain about?

It's not a case of minding your own damn business. It's a case of making sure your property doesn't drag the neighborhood down or the "idiots" don't have to put up with an ugly blight for however long you choose to be away. You signed up for that responsibility when you bought your house.

So much for tolerance and understanding. I love my village where it is friendly and helpful. We look after one another and forgiving when someone is unknowingly amiss. If it became intolerant and mean spirited, we would have to move. Life is short and how many years have we left? Even with someone watching our home, at times things happen and we don't know until we return a few weeks later. It's usually small but thank heaven, we don't have to return to harshness instead of eager helpfulness.

[Sandtrap328]

I recently returned to my home here after a 3 month absence and learned that my sprinkler system had not been operating properly. I fixed the system and when the weather permits I will rake up the dead matter and throw some top soil down. I would hope some idiot doesn't try to make an issue since my front lawn looks bad. If so, I would really want to have a discussion with the person. Some folks just can't mind their own damn business.

Yours is exactly why non-full timers should have a professional oversee their property when they are absent. You could have been emailed about the situation and given permission to fix the system - before your yard died off.

It is a neighbor's business when a yard on the block has died off or has been overgrown with tall weeds, etc.

We all signed our covenants when we moved in.

[graciegirl]

We have choices. We don't just leave and let our yards go to pot. We are adults and have lived long enough to know that if our yards aren't taken care of by somebody, they won't look nice very long.


To choose not to keep up our homes is not what most of us are about. If that person who let his lawn go when he was gone lived there full time, I am pretty sure he would be annoyed to see this neglect from others.


If we cannot afford to live here and see that our property is maintained by someone while we are gone, it is just selfish to buy here. We aren't living alone. We do have responsibility to the community. We signed that we would be compliant. Unknowingly is one thing and uncaringly is another. We all know that we must maintain our properties when we are gone.

Tolerance and understanding go hand in hand with responsibility and respect for others.

[lamplighter]

If I had read this thread before purchasing here, there is a good chance I would have said no way.

[graciegirl]

If I had read this thread before purchasing here, there is a good chance I would have said no way.



. What about this thread is a surprise?

[lamplighter]

This is what I hear:
I don't hear much "do as you please". I hear a lot of "sorry, I'll fix it immediately but please don't beat up on me or others"'. I hear some coming to their rescue to explain and I hear hard liners. Then I hear anger on both sides.....no one hearing what the other is saying.

IMHO, the people are few and far between that have a mess at their residence, some of them banks. I think the real mess makers are not reading this. They don't care. The majority by far are either looking for tolerant harmony over inconsequential things or those ready to pounce on any minor issue and mistake the don't make waves over nothing people as standing up for the mess makers.

[CFrance]

So much for tolerance and understanding. I love my village where it is friendly and helpful. We look after one another and forgiving when someone is unknowingly amiss. If it became intolerant and mean spirited, we would have to move. Life is short and how many years have we left? Even with someone watching our home, at times things happen and we don't know until we return a few weeks later. It's usually small but thank heaven, we don't have to return to harshness instead of eager helpfulness.
Actually, there would be more tolerance toward a person who kept their property under observation by a professional when they leave for three months and didn't refer to his neighbors as idiots.

[lamplighter]

Actually, there would be more tolerance toward a person who kept their property under observation by a professional when they leave for three months and don't refer to their neighbors as idiots.

I agree and words like idiots and so forth are angry words. Yet, he did say he was getting right at it not being irresponsible, just angry albeit no one was watching his place. He was gone 3 months, not three months of dead grass and no mention of tall grass and weeds, just dead grass because the sprinklers quit for it seems at least two weeks. I'm not justifying anyone just being an active listener.

I relate this to my neighbor who had a home watcher but her lawn still went brown due to this summers heat in a new section of TV. I phoned her to let her know we were watering her plants and trees and to call the home watch for not upping sprinkler time as the max was not good enough. The area is new so there are few trees for shade and many lawns were beginning to look like the Gobi Desert....like a few golf courses. Things happen. We do our best and fix all we can. If our best isn't good enough or if friendly neighbors become hostile...what's left but to move.

[CFrance]

I agree and words like idiots and so forth are angry words. Yet, he did say he was getting right at it not being irresponsible, just angry albeit no one was watching his place. He was gone 3 months, not three months of dead grass and no mention of tall grass and weeds, just dead grass because the sprinklers quit for it seems at least two weeks. I'm not justifying anyone just being an active listener.

I relate this to my neighbor who had a home watcher but her lawn still went brown due to this summers heat in a new section of TV. I phoned her to let her know we were watering her plants and trees and to call the home watch for not upping sprinkler time as the max was not good enough. The area is new so there are few trees for shade and many lawns were beginning to look like the Gobi Desert....like a few golf courses. Things happen. We do our best and fix all we can. If our best isn't good enough or if friendly neighbors become hostile...what's left but to move.
My biggest complaint about your post was being called intolerant for being irritated over someone calling others idiots before they even complained.

I stand by the rest of it because nowhere is it said that the sprinklers were only failing for two weeks. All I "heard" out of that post when actively listening was arrogance and anger over something that was entirely the poster's responsibility to the neighborhood.

[lamplighter]

I was thinking about the thread as a whole and using examples but perhaps said it wrong. I don't pick on anyone as a norm and apologize if you thought I called you or particular others names.
I think this thread is full of people misunderstanding each other. I'm guessing almost everyone wants to keep their homes up but few like to be policed by neighbors and certainly not the person taking in 30 complaints at a time.

[lamplighter]

I'm done.

[CFrance]

I was thinking about the thread as a whole and using examples but perhaps said it wrong. I don't pick on anyone as a norm and apologize if you thought I called you or particular others names.
I think this thread is full of people misunderstanding each other. I'm guessing almost everyone wants to keep their homes up but few like to be policed by neighbors and certainly not the person taking in 30 complaints at a time.
That I can definitely agree with. Running around noting the slightest infractions, collecting and turning them in is simply vindictive behavior in my opinion. I still think deed compliance should ignore these. They're surely able to modify their rules to curtail this kind of thing.

[graciegirl]

I was thinking about the thread as a whole and using examples but perhaps said it wrong. I don't pick on anyone as a norm and apologize if you thought I called you or particular others names.
I think this thread is full of people misunderstanding each other. I'm guessing almost everyone wants to keep their homes up but few like to be policed by neighbors and certainly not the person taking in 30 complaints at a time.


When we were new residents here we were so excited to own a brand new home on a street where we were among the first to buy. That was when they were selling what I call spec houses. We were snowbirds at the time and when we returned we were so disappointed to find that one of our new neighbors had put more than thirty really tacky things in their front yard. I was sick with disappointment.


Thank goodness that there is a way to combat that kind of thing with the rules of deed compliance. At that time, someone else turned them in, but if it were to occur again, I wouldn't hesitate to report a similar infringement and not feel bad about it at all.


When she mentioned that she had been reported, I told her I was not surprised and she was very angry and very shocked. Well, I was very angry and very shocked too. Not everyone enjoys the same kind of art, so deed restrictions are there to protect all.


I am glad this thread is discussing this. I think it was over zealous of someone to take on practically the whole danged town at once, but it was within their right to do so. I can't imagine what triggered the mass reporting.


It would take a lot for me to report one incidence, but I would if it was tacky. I love how this town looks. It is an important part of my enjoyment of this place.

[Bonny]

If I had read this thread before purchasing here, there is a good chance I would have said no way.
Why would that be ?

[Bonny]

We back up to a couple of rental patio villas. It is so disgusting to see the green mildew covering them !!! 2 doors down we have a house foreclosed on not maintained for 2 years. It is just nasty !
My hubby watches over several homes. When there is a problem, he calls them immediately. They say do what you have to do to fix it.
Shame on these owners that rent their places and don't care about the rest of us!!!

[Challenger]

If I had read this thread before purchasing here, there is a good chance I would have said no way.

Let me understand. If you knew that people would be required to follow the rules contained in well established covenants and would be required to follow contractual obligations( recorded deed restrictions), you might not have moved here ?

[MDLNB]

Let me understand. If you knew that people would be required to follow the rules contained in well established covenants and would be required to follow contractual obligations( recorded deed restrictions), you might not have moved here ?

Apparently you didn't understand that poster's response. They didn't imply any of that. You put your own spin on their statement.

Regarding other responses:
When a neighbor had a flat tire on his golf cart, I gave him two of my wheels with tires on. I had changed wheel size on my wife's golf cart. I didn't turn my back on him and tell him that if he had been maintaining his golf cart properly, this flat tire wouldn't have happened.

In my opinion, community spirit is not blaming others for their plight without knowing all the circumstances. The reason some on here are agitated and insulted is because they feel slighted because someone may have violated a rule or two. And the interesting part is how that small little deviation has turned into major disregard to property, with un-mowed and abandoned lawns and derelict homes. Personally, I'll take a small blemish on one's property over consistent traffic violations that I see EVERY day. Stop signs are totally disregarded here. I would mention these dangerous incidents to the drivers, but I can't catch up with them without violating the law myself. The one time that I was able to catch one gent, I attempted to draw his attention to the dangerous act, when he took off like I was going to assault him. Maybe this "anonymous" posting will convince some of you violators toward corrective action? I doubt it. Some find property conformance more important than the violation of real laws.

Like several of the calmer posters mentioned, you folks need to chill a bit and enjoy your last years. You find it selfish for some folks that ignorantly are blind to your displeasure with THEIR property. I bet you are proud of the fact that you support the monthly neighborhood collection for the food bank/pantry.

Next time you all bust a stop sign, think about how callously you came down on the poster that was a victim of a vendetta/agenda for having a small brown spot on her lawn and an empty flower pot. Hopefully, it won't be the last thing you think of as you bust through a dangerous intersection. I deviated from the thread? So did some of you when you associated abandoned and derelict property to a brown spot in a lawn.

As far as property value is concerned, I sincerely hope that some of you that it pertains to see a vast upward swing in your home value so that you will be able sell your homes and move on that place of your dreams. Like I said earlier, home value means nothing to me. I plan to live here so any upward trend in my home value will only effect a change in my taxes. And like I also said, 99% of my neighbors have violated at least one of the rules. And yet, a home on the market in my neighborhood is likely sold within a week of listing. I wonder why there is such a high demand if my neighborhood is so dysfunctional.

I have read some of the posters posts on other threads and I KNOW that you are not (normally) mean spirited folks. So, if I offended anyone on here I hope you can forgive YOURSELVES. chilout

[lamplighter]

Let me understand. If you knew that people would be required to follow the rules contained in well established covenants and would be required to follow contractual obligations( recorded deed restrictions), you might not have moved here ?

I've already given my answer a number of posts back but some of you are bent on misinterpreting or misunderstanding and i prefer to have a nice day today rather than going on and on about this. You give examples of extremes that no one would object to and then have the audacity to say that I I was against covenants and deeds! How outrageous. It's clear you do not know me or who I am or what I tried to say. My first post was a reflection of what I was hearing, my last that people do not like being policed by neighbors. This type of response to my post proves why.

[Bonny]

Apparently you didn't understand that poster's response. They didn't imply any of that. You put your own spin on their statement.

Regarding other responses:
When a neighbor had a flat tire on his golf cart, I gave him two of my wheels with tires on. I had changed wheel size on my wife's golf cart. I didn't turn my back on him and tell him that if he had been maintaining his golf cart properly, this flat tire wouldn't have happened.

In my opinion, community spirit is not blaming others for their plight without knowing all the circumstances. The reason some on here are agitated and insulted is because they feel slighted because someone may have violated a rule or two. And the interesting part is how that small little deviation has turned into major disregard to property, with un-mowed and abandoned lawns and derelict homes. Personally, I'll take a small blemish on one's property over consistent traffic violations that I see EVERY day. Stop signs are totally disregarded here. I would mention these dangerous incidents to the drivers, but I can't catch up with them without violating the law myself. The one time that I was able to catch one gent, I attempted to draw his attention to the dangerous act, when he took off like I was going to assault him. Maybe this "anonymous" posting will convince some of you violators toward corrective action? I doubt it. Some find property conformance more important than the violation of real laws.

Like several of the calmer posters mentioned, you folks need to chill a bit and enjoy your last years. You find it selfish for some folks that ignorantly are blind to your displeasure with THEIR property. I bet you are proud of the fact that you support the monthly neighborhood collection for the food bank/pantry.

Next time you all bust a stop sign, think about how callously you came down on the poster that was a victim of a vendetta/agenda for having a small brown spot on her lawn and an empty flower pot. Hopefully, it won't be the last thing you think of as you bust through a dangerous intersection. I deviated from the thread? So did some of you when you associated abandoned and derelict property to a brown spot in a lawn.

As far as property value is concerned, I sincerely hope that some of you that it pertains to see a vast upward swing in your home value so that you will be able sell your homes and move on that place of your dreams. Like I said earlier, home value means nothing to me. I plan to live here so any upward trend in my home value will only effect a change in my taxes. And like I also said, 99% of my neighbors have violated at least one of the rules. And yet, a home on the market in my neighborhood is likely sold within a week of listing. I wonder why there is such a high demand if my neighborhood is so dysfunctional.

I have read some of the posters posts on other threads and I KNOW that you are not (normally) mean spirited folks. So, if I offended anyone on here I hope you can forgive YOURSELVES. chilout
I don't think traffic violations or golf cart tires have anything to do with the deed restrictions being talked about. That's okay that your home value means "nothing" to you, but I think for the majority of us, our home value means a lot to us. I don't think it's too much to expect people to maintain their yards or follow the rules. They made the choice to move here fully knowing all of the deed restrictions.

[graciegirl]

Apparently you didn't understand that poster's response. They didn't imply any of that. You put your own spin on their statement.

Regarding other responses:
When a neighbor had a flat tire on his golf cart, I gave him two of my wheels with tires on. I had changed wheel size on my wife's golf cart. I didn't turn my back on him and tell him that if he had been maintaining his golf cart properly, this flat tire wouldn't have happened.

In my opinion, community spirit is not blaming others for their plight without knowing all the circumstances. The reason some on here are agitated and insulted is because they feel slighted because someone may have violated a rule or two. And the interesting part is how that small little deviation has turned into major disregard to property, with un-mowed and abandoned lawns and derelict homes. Personally, I'll take a small blemish on one's property over consistent traffic violations that I see EVERY day. Stop signs are totally disregarded here. I would mention these dangerous incidents to the drivers, but I can't catch up with them without violating the law myself. The one time that I was able to catch one gent, I attempted to draw his attention to the dangerous act, when he took off like I was going to assault him. Maybe this "anonymous" posting will convince some of you violators toward corrective action? I doubt it. Some find property conformance more important than the violation of real laws.

Like several of the calmer posters mentioned, you folks need to chill a bit and enjoy your last years. You find it selfish for some folks that ignorantly are blind to your displeasure with THEIR property. I bet you are proud of the fact that you support the monthly neighborhood collection for the food bank/pantry.

Next time you all bust a stop sign, think about how callously you came down on the poster that was a victim of a vendetta/agenda for having a small brown spot on her lawn and an empty flower pot. Hopefully, it won't be the last thing you think of as you bust through a dangerous intersection. I deviated from the thread? So did some of you when you associated abandoned and derelict property to a brown spot in a lawn.

As far as property value is concerned, I sincerely hope that some of you that it pertains to see a vast upward swing in your home value so that you will be able sell your homes and move on that place of your dreams. Like I said earlier, home value means nothing to me. I plan to live here so any upward trend in my home value will only effect a change in my taxes. And like I also said, 99% of my neighbors have violated at least one of the rules. And yet, a home on the market in my neighborhood is likely sold within a week of listing. I wonder why there is such a high demand if my neighborhood is so dysfunctional.

I have read some of the posters posts on other threads and I KNOW that you are not (normally) mean spirited folks. So, if I offended anyone on here I hope you can forgive YOURSELVES. chilout



Like most of us who live here, you seem to be older, wiser, nice to others, have a big heart and stubborn as hell. It is possible to follow rules and be kind to others. It is possible to live where you do where the rules aren't as stringent. Everyone has different values. No one is trying to inflict their values on others, just take care of your property and keep the pink flamingoes and the bend over ladies in the back. A flower pot and a few weeds may or may not be what really happened. Most people don't care if you have a flower pot or a few weeds. Not all anonymous posters tell the entire truth when it is unflattering. Would you really prefer not having these rules???? Most of us folks, boomers and better, were taught to take care of our possessions. We had our shoes repaired. We didn't walk on our dolls, we watched our moms iron and wash and send us out of the home clean as a whistle. People who didn't take care of their things and their property were looked down on. A lot of that stuck. There is no shame to take good care of your home and property and be mindful of others when you add things to your yard.

[MDLNB]

I don't think traffic violations or golf cart tires have anything to do with the deed restrictions being talked about. That's okay that your home value means "nothing" to you, but I think for the majority of us, our home value means a lot to us. I don't think it's too much to expect people to maintain their yards or follow the rules. They made the choice to move here fully knowing all of the deed restrictions.

Another misinterpretation of a post. I doubt I am misinterpreting your statement when I say you are comparing a splinter to a beam. And I hope you get full value for your home when you sell. :thumbup:

[MDLNB]

Like most of us who live here, you seem to be older, wiser, nice to others, have a big heart and stubborn as hell. It is possible to follow rules and be kind to others. It is possible to live where you do where the rules aren't as stringent. Everyone has different values. No one is trying to inflict their values on others, just take care of your property and keep the pink flamingoes and the bend over ladies in the back. A flower pot and a few weeds may or may not be what really happened. Most people don't care if you have a flower pot or a few weeds. Not all anonymous posters tell the entire truth when it is unflattering. Would you really prefer not having these rules???? Most of us folks, boomers and better, were taught to take care of our possessions. We had our shoes repaired. We didn't walk on our dolls, we watched our moms iron and wash and send us out of the home clean as a whistle. People who didn't take care of their things and their property were looked down on. A lot of that stuck. There is no shame to take good care of your home and property and be mindful of others when you add things to your yard.

I'm sorry if I implied that I did not favor "these rules." Apparently, my use of written verbiage is a bit limited. Perhaps, I did not sufficiently express my concern for the poster's feelings of humiliation and mental anguish. You had no idea or reason to know that I am former military service and understand the value of rules and laws. I am also a Christian, not that this is PC anymore. I would defend you also, IF I felt you were being harshly misjudged. After reading many of your previous threads on this forum, I know that you are not normally as harsh as you might seem on this thread. I believe it is probably because you misunderstood my position.

Let me clarify my position (as if anyone might care one way or another), I believe in rules and laws. Rules are flexible, where laws may not be so much. Not that they are actually flexible but the enforcement of them may be flexible. After all, we have an administration in D.C. that is flexible with handling of classified information, immigration laws, and interpreting of the constitution. This has absolutely nothing to do with this thread. We have heard the complaint from an injured party and our response is what makes us what we are. Strict and unbending, or compassionate, caring and instructional. I prefer to think I moved into a very large community of compassionate and caring folks. At least that is how it is portrayed in it's advertising :D

I am not soliciting an apology from anyone ;) I am only suggesting that some have blown this minor infraction up into the act of blatantly damaging a communities property values. Which actually DOES mean nothing unless you are anticipating a future sale. In which case, I fully empathize with you. As far as being "tacky" is concerned, that too is in the eye of the beholder. I just hope that this view is not being distorted by a splinter in one's eye. Pink flamingos and bending over posteriors are a bit of an exaggeration when we are merely speaking of a blemished spot in one's yard. I bet that this poster did not need to be reminded on here that she needed to fix these violations. I think she was seeking a bit of understanding for her embarrassment.

[MDLNB]

By the way (and I know the poster was just being facetious) there is one community that I know of that puts "pink flamingos" in the yard of a neighbor that is having a birthday. I find it rather charming and warm that those folks are enjoying life in a humorous and friendly way. They are showing interest in each neighbor. If you wander thru that neighborhood, you will see the "tacky" evidence move from one week to another, from one lucky neighbor to another. I have changed my whole perspective regarding "pink flamingos." Funny how you can paint them gray and they are accepted by most, but pink and they are deemed tacky. I guess it is all according to one's taste. Too bad we aren't all the same, huh? If I could find a vintage pink flamingo, I think I would put it in my back yard.

[TheVillageChicken]

I flagrantly and consistently break my covenants. I am required to notify the Developer...yep, it is capitalized in my covenants...when I am gone for over 7 days. I am also required to indicate when I will return. I never do this. I am such a scofflaw.

[DonH57]

I flagrantly and consistently break my covenants. I am required to notify the Developer...yep, it is capitalized in my covenants...when I am gone for over 7 days. I am also required to indicate when I will return. I never do this. I am such a scofflaw.

Oh. I'm so in trouble as well.:22yikes:

[MDLNB]

I don't covet my covenants :bigbow:

[CFrance]

Apparently you didn't understand that poster's response. They didn't imply any of that. You put your own spin on their statement.

Regarding other responses:
When a neighbor had a flat tire on his golf cart, I gave him two of my wheels with tires on. I had changed wheel size on my wife's golf cart. I didn't turn my back on him and tell him that if he had been maintaining his golf cart properly, this flat tire wouldn't have happened.

In my opinion, community spirit is not blaming others for their plight without knowing all the circumstances. The reason some on here are agitated and insulted is because they feel slighted because someone may have violated a rule or two. And the interesting part is how that small little deviation has turned into major disregard to property, with un-mowed and abandoned lawns and derelict homes. Personally, I'll take a small blemish on one's property over consistent traffic violations that I see EVERY day. Stop signs are totally disregarded here. I would mention these dangerous incidents to the drivers, but I can't catch up with them without violating the law myself. The one time that I was able to catch one gent, I attempted to draw his attention to the dangerous act, when he took off like I was going to assault him. Maybe this "anonymous" posting will convince some of you violators toward corrective action? I doubt it. Some find property conformance more important than the violation of real laws.

Like several of the calmer posters mentioned, you folks need to chill a bit and enjoy your last years. You find it selfish for some folks that ignorantly are blind to your displeasure with THEIR property. I bet you are proud of the fact that you support the monthly neighborhood collection for the food bank/pantry.

Next time you all bust a stop sign, think about how callously you came down on the poster that was a victim of a vendetta/agenda for having a small brown spot on her lawn and an empty flower pot. Hopefully, it won't be the last thing you think of as you bust through a dangerous intersection. I deviated from the thread? So did some of you when you associated abandoned and derelict property to a brown spot in a lawn.

As far as property value is concerned, I sincerely hope that some of you that it pertains to see a vast upward swing in your home value so that you will be able sell your homes and move on that place of your dreams. Like I said earlier, home value means nothing to me. I plan to live here so any upward trend in my home value will only effect a change in my taxes. And like I also said, 99% of my neighbors have violated at least one of the rules. And yet, a home on the market in my neighborhood is likely sold within a week of listing. I wonder why there is such a high demand if my neighborhood is so dysfunctional.

I have read some of the posters posts on other threads and I KNOW that you are not (normally) mean spirited folks. So, if I offended anyone on here I hope you can forgive YOURSELVES. chilout
Well, see? You just did the same thing you chastised others for doing re the deed restrictions. Just a different area! So judge not lest ye be judged!

The only thing I saw wrong in this thread was a person PRE-calling his neighbors idiots in case they turned in a complaint about his lawn--which they didn't, and which, in his lack of community spirit himself, he went away and left abandoned for three months with no one checking up on it to make sure it remained in good condition. Is that the community spirit you're talking about? Because to me, community spirit is more about keeping your property up for the benefit of your neighbors, as opposed to community spirit being not complaining when something is left neglected.

[MDLNB]

Like I said before, what does blatant disregard have to do with a minor infraction? Can anyone say Molehills?

[njbchbum]

Like I said before, what does blatant disregard have to do with a minor infraction? Can anyone say Molehills?

Seems to me that 'blatant disregard' and 'minor infraction' each wind up being a violation of 'the rules' whether it is deed compliance or traffic regulations! Mole hills? Each violation is 'punished' according to the degree of violation. Disregard for one over another becomes selective enforcement based on judgement - a personal consideration; and rules are meant to eliminate judgement.

[CFrance]

Seems to me that 'blatant disregard' and 'minor infraction' each wind up being a violation of 'the rules' whether it is deed compliance or traffic regulations! Mole hills? Each violation is 'punished' according to the degree of violation. Disregard for one over another becomes selective enforcement based on judgement - a personal consideration; and rules are meant to eliminate judgement.
:agree:

[MDLNB]

You do know that when it comes to traffic violations, the police officer has the option to write a citation or issue a warning, verbal or written?
There is a difference between mountains and molehills, regardless of your intolerance for any deviation of so called rules. None of this had anything to do with your property value, or any other little pet peeves that some on here may have. We know what this is all about, regardless of how much folks on here have exaggerated the incident.

I am going to suggest that the original author of this thread, close this thread by apologizing to the sticklers on here for even thinking that she would get empathy for her humiliation and embarrassment. Her actions are on par with abandoning her home and yard, and leaving it in grave disrepair. I bet the homes in her neighborhood have already dropped in value due to her callous disregard for rules. As we all know from our great political leaders, rule are rules. Or, maybe not so much.

Oh, and we should all praise the hard work and initiative of the person that probably spent long hours writing up 30 or more frivolous complaints....:blahblahblah::blahblahblah:

[Bonny]

Good idea to close this thread.
It's getting way so over the top and starting to get some nasty tones.:throwtomatoes:

[TheVillageChicken]

I wonder if a single mind has ever been changed because of a debate on TOTV.

[Bonny]

I wonder if a single mind has ever been changed because of a debate on TOTV.
Nope, that never happens. LOL :D

[MDLNB]

What???? I've been wasting my time, attempting to make peace? If I would have known that this 80% rain wasn't going to happen today, I would be outside, smoking a pork butt with some applewood. I had to buy a new/larger smoker because I keep accumulating more visiting neighbors whenever I throw the meat on. Seems like BBQ is something that makes everyone happy. :mmmm::icon_hungry::beer3:

[TheVillageChicken]

Nope, that never happens. LOL :D

That is because most of what passes as argument is actually just contradiction.

[Bonny]

That is because most of what passes as argument is actually just contradiction.
:agree:

[HimandMe]

I wonder if a single mind has ever been changed because of a debate on TOTV.

If we are set on proving our point often we don't hear the other side long enough to consider "is this too perhaps true". That takes flexibility, honesty and the ability to allow ourselves to be partially wrong. Yet if we can and deliberately do it often, how enriching for us.

As an aside, I just watched again for the sixth time, "what the bleep down the rabbit hole". How revealing.

[graciegirl]

If we are set on proving our point often we don't hear the other side long enough to consider "is this too perhaps true". That takes flexibility, honesty and the ability to allow ourselves to be partially wrong. Yet if we can and deliberately do it often, how enriching for us.

As an aside, I just watched again for the sixth time, "what the bleep down the rabbit hole". How revealing.



Is this a movie? A comment I missed because I wasn't listening, or something else that I don't know because I am behind the times?

[njbchbum]

You do know that when it comes to traffic violations, the police officer has the option to write a citation or issue a warning, verbal or written?
There is a difference between mountains and molehills, regardless of your intolerance for any deviation of so called rules. None of this had anything to do with your property value, or any other little pet peeves that some on here may have. We know what this is all about, regardless of how much folks on here have exaggerated the incident.

I am going to suggest that the original author of this thread, close this thread by apologizing to the sticklers on here for even thinking that she would get empathy for her humiliation and embarrassment. Her actions are on par with abandoning her home and yard, and leaving it in grave disrepair. I bet the homes in her neighborhood have already dropped in value due to her callous disregard for rules. As we all know from our great political leaders, rule are rules. Or, maybe not so much.

Oh, and we should all praise the hard work and initiative of the person that probably spent long hours writing up 30 or more frivolous complaints....:blahblahblah::blahblahblah:

And as we are all aware now from participating in this thread, Villagers exercise their options re whether to report an infraction or not to report it. When it comes to 'policing' our community we are the police as well as the policed.

[PattyPan1]

It seems that my post caused the dust to fly.

I have no problem with the deed compliance rules. The problem I have is that if a complaint is made, a name (verified) should be taken.

I have no intention of bringing torches to the home of the person complaining, it would just give the office a name so they can follow up on how many complaints this person is making.

Making 30 complaints in one day on various homes (not all in the same vicinity) seems a bit much. After awhile, it would seem the person complaining has a problem that needs to be addressed.

My lawn has fertilizer on the parts that were in bad shape. We were trying to rectify the problem in the weeks prior to the complaint. I know miracles happen, but not that quick.

It also feels like Nazi Germany where people secretly report on others. I know that sounds a bit much, but it's just a form of speech.

For those holier than thou, I know about the deed compliance and we do follow it. So, if you have a complaint about us, please feel free to be put in the same boat as the tattler.

[KeepingItReal]

I have no problem with the deed compliance rules. The problem I have is that if a complaint is made, a name (verified) should be taken.

It also feels like Nazi Germany where people secretly report on others. I know that sounds a bit much, but it's just a form of speech.

So, if you have a complaint about us, please feel free to be put in the same boat as the tattler.

And while we are at it why not post your name and address on this site each time we post?

[Barefoot]

Well, see? You just did the same thing you chastised others for doing re the deed restrictions. Just a different area! So judge not lest ye be judged!
The only thing I saw wrong in this thread was a person PRE-calling his neighbors idiots in case they turned in a complaint about his lawn--which they didn't, and which, in his lack of community spirit himself, he went away and left abandoned for three months with no one checking up on it to make sure it remained in good condition. Is that the community spirit you're talking about? Because to me, community spirit is more about keeping your property up for the benefit of your neighbors, as opposed to community spirit being not complaining when something is left neglected.
:024::agree:

[Bonny]

And while we are at it why not post your name and address on this site each time we post?
Might as well get the phone number too!!
To tell someone the person's name who made the complaint could be disastrous.
There are many people that might take that opportunity to retaliate or cause problems in the neighborhood if it was a neighbor. You never know what goes on with people and what might set them off.

[CathyandSteveG]

I do not live in TV...but i would like to address this....if you call the police to report a violation they take your name address and phone number.... that information is kept confidential....however it does bring accountability to the reporter.

I see no reason that the person in TV taking the complaints should not get the personal information from the person filing the complaint. It should be kept confidential....but it should also be kept on file so that the complainer is accountable for all the complaints filed.

I hope to be coming to TV very soon...we have potential buyers coming for the second time tomorrow....
I hope and pray that i live up to the expectations of the people i live near...and i can assure you...i will not be reporting anyone for anything.

My real estate agent told me that my house is worth what the appraiser says based on the comps of similar house sales in the past 6 months. It is based on square footage and amenities. She never mentioned my neighbors.....and it is a darn good thing....because her place is a mess....and while a potential buyer may not want to live next to my neighbor...it is no reflection of the value of my home. My home is only worth what it appraises for.....and is not based on the brown spots or weeds or empty flowers pots in my neighbors yard.

[Challenger]

I do not live in TV...but i would like to address this....if you call the police to report a violation they take your name address and phone number.... that information is kept confidential....however it does bring accountability to the reporter.

I see no reason that the person in TV taking the complaints should not get the personal information from the person filing the complaint. It should be kept confidential....but it should also be kept on file so that the complainer is accountable for all the complaints filed.

I hope to be coming to TV very soon...we have potential buyers coming for the second time tomorrow....
I hope and pray that i live up to the expectations of the people i live near...and i can assure you...i will not be reporting anyone for anything.

My real estate agent told me that my house is worth what the appraiser says based on the comps of similar house sales in the past 6 months. It is based on square footage and amenities. She never mentioned my neighbors.....and it is a darn good thing....because her place is a mess....and while a potential buyer may not want to live next to my neighbor...it is no reflection of the value of my home. My home is only worth what it appraises for.....and is not based on the brown spots or weeds or empty flowers pots in my neighbors yard.

The appraised value of a home is based on current sales of comparable homes in areas as close as possible to the subject property, adjusted for condition, age and other factors. Desirability of the neighborhood is definitly one of the conditions that can have a great effect on value.

While one uncared for property usually won't make much difference, a trend towards lax maintenance can begin the spiral that causes falling neighborhood values.

[mfp509]

Cathy and Steve - it may not affect the value of your house but people looking to buy are more apt to pass on your house if your neighborhood looks like a trailer park with cheesy decorations or unmanicured lawns in favor of a neat neighborhood - lawns mowed, shrubs trimmed and no menagerie of ornaments. It is very easy to get out of control if there is leniency. As the saying goes - give an inch, they take a foot. Just my opinion.

[CFrance]

The appraised value of a home is based on current sales of comparable homes in areas as close as possible to the subject property, adjusted for condition, age and other factors. Desirability of the neighborhood is definitly one of the conditions that can have a great effect on value.

While one uncared for property usually won't make much difference, a trend towards lax maintenance can begin the spiral that causes falling neighborhood values.
I believe it would make a big difference if it was next-door to the house you were considering buying.

[Polar Bear]

I do not live in TV...but i would like to address this....if you call the police to report a violation they take your name address and phone number.... that information is kept confidential....however it does bring accountability to the reporter.

I see no reason that the person in TV taking the complaints should not get the personal information from the person filing the complaint...

Apples and oranges IMHO. Possible felonies and misdemeanors by strangers vs. possible code violations by neighbors you want to be friends with. And yes...again IMHO...you can be friends with them if it is a reasonable complaint. (I believe a pattern of abuse could be distinguished even with anonymous complaints.)


...i can assure you...i will not be reporting anyone for anything...

I'm not sure why you sound so proud, or would wish to live in a deed-restricted community. Personally, I don't think any responsible homeowner should make such a definitive, final promise.

[Sandtrap328]

And while we are at it why not post your name and address on this site each time we post?

Good idea! After all, I have my picture included as part of my messages.

[CathyandSteveG]

I don't mean to sound "proud"...I am stating a fact because of the person i am. I tend to keep to myself and mind my own business. My goal is to enjoy the rest of my life living in a home with less maintenance.....with a smaller yard....and no stairs....in peace and quiet. If you are telling me that moving to the villages means i have to police my neighborhood and report my neighbors for infractions...maybe you are right...and i should move somewhere else....because that is not how i envision my retirement. I just wanna have fun.....

[CFrance]

I don't mean to sound "proud"...I am stating a fact because of the person i am. I tend to keep to myself and mind my own business. My goal is to enjoy the rest of my life living in a home with less maintenance.....with a smaller yard....and no stairs....in peace and quiet. If you are telling me that moving to the villages means i have to police my neighborhood and report my neighbors for infractions...maybe you are right...and i should move somewhere else....because that is not how i envision my retirement. I just wanna have fun.....
You will. As long as you keep your lawn mowed and the ceramic turtle under the eaves!

[CathyandSteveG]

lol...we promise to keep our yard mowed...and i don't intend to buy yard ornaments of any kind...and i will not have any flower pots either...just in case ...but i cannot promise to never have brown spots or weeds...I will do my best...but i cannot promise. If you see any in my yard...feel free to fix it.

[Polar Bear]

... If you are telling me that moving to the villages means i have to police my neighborhood and report my neighbors for infractions...maybe you are right...and i should move somewhere else....because that is not how i envision my retirement. I just wanna have fun.....

Nope. Not at all. You do as you will of course. But swearing you will never, ever report any code violation seems a bit presumptuous to me. It has nothing whatsoever to do with limiting fun in any way. :)

[CathyandSteveG]

i have a feeling there are already enough "reporters"...lol they don't need me. I will just be sittin in my hot tub with my honey on my lanai...drinkin a glass of wine...maybe smokin a cigar.....enjoyin life...oh yeah....

is any of this against the "rules"

[KeepingItReal]

i have a feeling there are already enough "reporters"...lol they don't need me. I will just be sittin in my hot tub with my honey on my lanai...drinkin a glass of wine...maybe smokin a cigar.....enjoyin life...oh yeah....

is any of this against the "rules"

Ha, ha, cigar might raise some ire or at least generate a few posts about being so inconsiderate if you have kissing lanias....good luck with that...

[CathyandSteveG]

hoping to avoid kissing lanais.....

[Polar Bear]

i have a feeling there are already enough "reporters"...lol they don't need me. I will just be sittin in my hot tub with my honey on my lanai...drinkin a glass of wine...maybe smokin a cigar.....enjoyin life...oh yeah....

is any of this against the "rules"

Nope. Sounds similar to the way I spend much of my time as a matter of fact...heheh.

But pardon me if it still sounds like you might look down a bit on those who might not promise to take such guaranteed detached attitude.

[CathyandSteveG]

no...you have misread me...I don't look down on anyone
I can't dictate what you need to do for you.....and i don't care what you do....unless of course you report me...lol