Did you read the covenants (deed restrictions) in their entirety before you bought?

[Talk Host]

I wonder how many did.

[chacam]

We never saw or was offered that document until we closed. We didn't know it existed until we closed and were given a copy at that time. Now they are available to read on-line. For the most part, I don't have any problem with the content and glad it is there to protect us. The few violations I see from time to time don't bother me.

[smalldog]

Smalldog Sez
say what ???? :MOJE_whot: was never aware of its existance and in three years still haven't seen one :shocked: get my best info from neighbors and by the error and error method :throwtomatoes:

[Army Guy]

Yes, read it, and also marked full of questions to ask and get clear. Then made copies so I have one in each house, plus have one I cary in my planner. But for those that know me, this should not surprise them at all. Being Army 30+ years I live by regulations!
That is also one of my pet peeves. I fell that CW does not enforce them as they are written. To me, since we had to sign that we recieved/read/understand them, that if CW doesn't enforce it is breach of contract.

Army Guy

[pooh]

Yes, read it. Lived for 30 years in CA with CC&R's. Wasn't a problem. Keeps things looking good around the community.

[bkcunningham1]

Yes. Also read the declaration of restrictions.

[dillywho]

We were given a copy, told to sign that we had received it and to read it when we moved in six years ago. We had 2 dogs and 2 cats at the time, they knew it, and never said a word about it. We found out about the 2-pet thing after we got all our paperwork after closing. Our dogs have since passed away and we have only the cats now.

[tpop1]

"Soitenly"

[gwscott]

I was given a copy by my agent when we made an offer and signed for another copy at closing

[Allen]

Now they are available to read on-line.

:wave: Would someone who knows where to find it, please post the link?

This would be very helpful to those who would like to review this information in advance.

Thank you!

[bkcunningham1]

Allen, not wanting to take over the original purpose of the post, if it is okay with TH, I'll copy and paste another post I made this morning to answer a question on another subject. (I'm being lazy) It supplies good information and you can link to the VCDD website:

springfield, I'm supplying a link to The Villages (TV) Recreation Department's brochure. It outlines the rules for visitors and grandchildren. It also gives the web address for the Villages Community Development Districts (VCDD) website.

The VCDD is a wealth of information. It provides district maps, the covenants and declarations of restrictions for each of the areas within each district. If you aren't familiar with TV, IMHO, it may seem overwhelming because there is so much information and TV is a very large area within three counties. TV wasn't built over night. It has grown and changed for 20 plus years based on a community master plan developed by the original owner, much like Walt Disney did when he bought acres and acres of property to develop Disney World. Disney Resort has four theme parks, two water parks, 24 themed hotels, shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues now.

http://www.districtgov.org/images/RecGuide.pdf

[dfn8tly]

Like "pooh" I lived in So. Cal. for 25 years in a city where everything was controlled by "Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions". That's why I chose that lovely community and it's precisely what attracted me to TV as soon as I drove in. We DO live in a bubble here and it's clean, manicured and beautiful. There frequently seems to be someone who feels they have the right to pop this bubble. If this is your attitude, please stay where you are. 99% of us are very happy with the regs.

[zcaveman]

I assume by covenant you mean the Deed Restrictions. I read the Deed Restrictions and highlighted some of the areas that I wanted to be reminded of.

Being from New Jersey I was also given and read the 31 page Amended and Restated New Jersey Public Offering Statement that NJ residents are given that explains a lot of the Villages information and the Deed Restrictions in plain English.

All of this was given to me when I put the initial down payment on the property when I signed for the property. Therefore I knew all of this when I came down to put the 20% down and finalize the deal.

I agree with Army Guy, that none of these Deed Restrictions are uniformly applied. After I got burnt for lawn ornaments that were there for many months, I took a ride around and wondered if the others got gigged also.

Z

[Allen]

I'm supplying a link to The Villages (TV) Recreation Department's brochure.

This is very good information in the form of the PDF document, BK. Thank you. :thumbup:

If possible, I would also like to see where one can read the actual "Covenant Document" that Chacam referred to in Post #2 of this Thread.

If the link is somewhere in the Recreation Department Brochure, I apoligize... I can't seem to find it there.

Thanks again... :)

[billethkid]

something they read or did not like/support in the "rule" book???
Having lived in real gated communities prior to TV there is nothing that could be in ANY locations "rule" book that would affect our decision.
Not being allowed to have a pick up truck on blocks in the driveway did slow me down a bit....but more tha adequately offset by being allowed to sit in the nude on my patio having a cigar and a glass of wine....:clap2:

btk

[bkcunningham1]

Sorry Allen, here's the link to the main VCDD site. You can dig around and find all sorts of useful info.

http://www.districtgov.org/

Here's the Declaration of Restrictions for the various areas:

http://www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/download.aspx

Updated:

http://www.districtgov.org/departments/Community-Standards/community-standards.aspx

[Allen]

Thanks, BK...

I'm sure this will be very helpful. There is a lot of information here, and it is good to be able to take the time to read it in advance. :read:

[Army Guy]

Billy, you are something else!

Army Guy

[Pturner]

something they read or did not like/support in the "rule" book???
Having lived in real gated communities prior to TV there is nothing that could be in ANY locations "rule" book that would affect our decision.
Not being allowed to have a pick up truck on blocks in the driveway did slow me down a bit....but more tha adequately offset by being allowed to sit in the nude on my patio having a cigar and a glass of wine....:clap2:

btk

Oh btk, that was you? :clap2: Not that I was looking!! :o I immediately buried my head in the deed restrictions. ;)
:popcorn:

Yes, I did request a copy from our agent. Not because it might keep us from buying, just wanted to know.

[pooh]

I'm assuming that most know that the deed restrictions in Lake County are different from the ones in Sumter and probably Marion Counties regarding "lawn ornaments."

I'm also of the opinion that many who read their CC&R's are the first owners of their homes. I was on the board of our Homeowners Assoc in my previous location and when a house sold, the former owner somehow never had a copy of the CC&R's to pass along. The real estate agent never had a copy either and the board had to make sure to supply the new owner and/or their real estate agent, with a copy. Might that be the same here?

[Russ_Boston]

I don't live there yet and have read the newer Sumter county docs.

Easy enough to understand.

[downeaster]

I wonder how many did.

I did. They are reasonable and necessary with one possible exception and that one is:

2.19 All owners shall notify the Developer when leaving their property for more than a 7-day period and shall simultaneously advise the Developer as to their tentative return date.

[nkrifats]

I did not receive anything when I bought pre owned home in Sumter from either the villages or when I received gate pass and etc. I found everything on line that I needed. Army Guy I have to agree about the rules being a 24 year Navy Vet but enlisted so i sometimes operated on the edge to help out those in the zero pay grades. I believe you probably know what I am talking about. I enjoy your post and hopefully will meet you when I get there full time in 2011.

[Bryan]

I purchased a pre-owned. I knew there were covenants because we had friends here who told us about some of them. At that time (six or seven years ago) it was really a hassle to get a complete copy. I was given a little one-page summary at closing and it took several months to get the real, complete, detailed version. No major surprises once I got them - some minor sticky issues and a little clarification on a few points.

[springfield]

Allen, not wanting to take over the original purpose of the post, if it is okay with TH, I'll copy and paste another post I made this morning to answer a question on another subject. (I'm being lazy) It supplies good information and you can link to the VCDD website:

springfield, I'm supplying a link to The Villages (TV) Recreation Department's brochure. It outlines the rules for visitors and grandchildren. It also gives the web address for the Villages Community Development Districts (VCDD) website.

The VCDD is a wealth of information. It provides district maps, the covenants and declarations of restrictions for each of the areas within each district. If you aren't familiar with TV, IMHO, it may seem overwhelming because there is so much information and TV is a very large area within three counties. TV wasn't built over night. It has grown and changed for 20 plus years based on a community master plan developed by the original owner, much like Walt Disney did when he bought acres and acres of property to develop Disney World. Disney Resort has four theme parks, two water parks, 24 themed hotels, shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues now.

http://www.districtgov.org/images/RecGuide.pdf

This is helpful and has answered some of our questions before we possibly make the big move. We asked some friends that are TVers and they said we can have landscape lighting, but what I read said we could not. Which is it?

[Army Guy]

nkrifrats, same here! And yes I so totally understanding working around the regs!

Army Guy

[gadaboutgal]

We did read the covenants when we purchased, and I periodically review them to make sure we are in conformance. I find as written they are quite reasonable.
Something to keep in mind though is that there are several restrictions within the convenants that are, by law, not enforceable at all And I really think there is a need to educate our Watch People on what is and is not enforceable. Sometimes they interpret the Covenants to what they think should be in them.

[Russ_Boston]

After reading a lot of recent threads and posts I would think that many people have no idea what is in their covenants.