Who decides if you are allowed to modify your house?
 

When we are looking to buy a house in The Villages, we would like a house where the lanai could possibly be expanded and a hot tub could be installed. I assume this would be allowed on some houses but not on others.

Before we make an offer to buy a house, we would like to have an official (of some sort) tell us this modification would be allowed.

Who should we contact to get this approval before we make an offer?

Thanks in advance for your replies. You all have been very helpful with other questions we have asked.

Sounds like you want a quick answer.
I would take the address of the house you are interested in and go to Sumter County office (I am assuming Sumter county), and ask then for the set backs, etc. They will be able to give you a NON BINDING yes or no. You should also, check with ARC, they should be able to also give you a NON BINDING yes or no. Here is there web link
VCDD Architectural Review

Both of these entities will require plans to show what you intend to do for the formal approval.
Hope this helps.

Community Standards does this. If you're working with a realtor they should be showing the homes that have large enough yards for this type of thing as well.

Thanks for mentioning them and giving us the link to their web site. I see they have an office at Lake Sumter, so we can go there and actually talk with a living, breathing human being, which is always better than just going thru email.

Yes, I guess that would be true if we are being shown a house by a realtor who works with Properties of the Villages, but if we want to see a house listed thru the Multiple Listing Service, I have heard that we need to deal with an outside realtor, and they may not have an exact knowledge of the Deed Restrictions. At least that is what we were thinking.

Tinker and NotGolfer, thank both of you for your very helpful replies.

Don't trust the sales agent to know what s/he's talking about! Our friends bought a new spec house on a corner lot and were told by their agent that they could put a birdcage in the side. But they couldn't go beyond five feet out the side.

If it is a new house, this is done in the design process based on IF the lot can fit your changes. If pre-owned, as the others said, it is important to go through the proper channels such as the IRC, and county.

As a former Real Estate Franchise owner, trust none, do your homework, go to Community Standards (deed compliance) with specific lot number.

What does IRC mean and how would we contact them? Thanks

Just a typo most likely for ARC - architectural review committee.

If you have a particular property in mind, just call Vera at T&D pools and pool enclosures. I am pretty sure she can bring up the property on her computer and give you a non binding answer to an approximate addition She is one of the most skilled professional people I have ever worked with in my entire life. She knows her business for sure.


T&D is the company who builds the pools and enclosures on spec homes for The Villages. They built ours and in my opinion are excellent and trustworthy.

You could very easily buy a new or used one with those modifications already in place.

I found this one with a nice enclosure and a pool;
The Villages - Search for New, Pre-owned Homes and Villas in The Villages, Florida

On sale for $518,000 better jump on that one.

That is a very good idea and I appreciate your giving an opinion about the T&D pools. Based on your recommendation, we will definitely keep them in mind.

I guess if any business does a poor job dealing with Villages residents, they will soon get a bad reputation and have no customers. TOTV can be pretty powerful.

Hmm. All good information, but in the Callaway casa, my wife determines what modifications we can do! :p

Great information