[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Altavia

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

I am not aware that we have a vote?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

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

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

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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

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

[Djean1981]

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

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Whitley

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

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

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

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bikehike

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

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

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

Even community standards struggle with dead restrictions.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Velvet

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

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

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

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

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by frose

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

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

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

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

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by bill14564

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

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

it's very simple. Flamingos are out but man eating alligators in our ponds are in.
Who's running this asylum?
I know, i know.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by Bikehike

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[merrymini]

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

[Dabatts]

Originally Posted by frose

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

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

[paulajr]

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

Originally Posted by frose

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

[Hape2Bhr]

Originally Posted by frose

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

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

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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

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