[graciegirl]

That if you plan to buy a home south of 466 that you cannot put anything in your yard outside of the roofline unless you first get permission from the architectural review committee? If you like statues and potted flowers in your yard you would enjoy north of 466 better. Also artificial flowers and bird feeders are not allowed south of 466.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Personally I am pleased with this rule. Does anyone feel it is too restricting??

Am I right or wrong that if you ignore these rules that you will have a fine added to your amenities fee?

[redwitch]

They can add fines but usually give you a few warnings first.

I understand why they have the rules but I don't really like them. I would never have anything in my front yard other than grass, shrubs, plants but I think people should be able to enjoy their yards as they see fit, so long as it is truly "decor" and not something like a junked car. (Yeah, I know, I'm strange.) Personally, I'd rather see stuff I don't like such as pink flamingoes, gnomes and the like. I'm sure it makes those people happy and, if nothing else, I can get a chuckle out of their truly horrible taste. In return, I get to see some charming front yards with deer and a bench nicely arranged.

[graciegirl]

However.......there is the little matter of devaluing one's property. If one were a renter it wouldn't matter so much.

[redwitch]

It's only an issue if you're trying to sell. As I said, I'd rather see some personality than California suburbia (that's what south of 466 reminds me of). Sorry.

I had a neighbor in California that put out every tacky thing you could imagine. When I was ready to sell my house, I went over and talked to the couple. I helped them put their stuff in the garage and put it all back the day after the closing. Worked well for both of us. Not sure how the new homeowner felt but I do know he went to every BBQ my tacky neighbors had.

[njgranny]

Statues, potted plants, etc. wouldn't bother me. As Redwitch said, as long as it's not a junk car, I could deal with it. As far as devaluing my home, if I ever manage to get to the Villages, I plan to stay for the duration.

[nONIE]

Oh Dear

I guess I am a really tacky person. For some strange reason I like lawn ornaments and statues and bird feeders and wind chimes. Engr. guy keeps me in line tho and definitely limits me to one or two lawn ornaments. then when Im not looking he throws them out and hopes I wont notice! LOL

I guess I put myself in the right place in TV on the Historic side where we can all appreciate each others tackiness! So what would a shrink say about people like us???? LOL

[graciegirl]

A shrink would say that you are comfortable in your shoes. AND no one could ever call YOU tacky Nonie.

I am not so much into appearances as much as I love beautiful things. I hope a shrink or a minister or a friend could find that I am not as shallow as this thread may appear.

[nONIE]

And noone could ever call you shallow Gracie, I for one respect and appreciate all your posts!

[JohnN]

I live south of 466 and love it.
Gracie, you CAN put potted plants in the yard, you can put a running water fountain too if you'd like. No statues, no birdbaths (standing water).

It's pretty clear in the deed restrictions, and I visited the ARB folks and they answered a lot of "what if" questions for me in advance.

I like north of 466 too, and the historic section, each has it's own personality and the landscape restrictions (or lack thereof) are not enough to influence where I'd buy.

Happy holidays, all

[KathieI]

John, what a smart thing to do. I have so many questions, I didn't realize you could visit with ARB and ask them in advance. Thanks, I'll do that.

[collie1228]

Gracie, your posts are most always entertaining, and I personally wouldn't want to see you become hesitant about speaking your mind in the future. Keep it up. Regarding neighbors and their "decorations", there are rules in place, and if the neighbors can't abide by the rules, they shouldn't be living in TV. Simple as that. I live in (snowy) Upstate NY in a very nice townhouse, but my next door neighbor is a lazy slob, who leaves her gardening implements, half used bags of mulch, etc. out on the front lawn for weeks on-end, and I wish we had a neighborhood association that could put a stop to it. I agree that some rules can diminish the "personality" of an area, and I don't want to live in a sterile environment, but by the same token we all know people who just can't keep themselves from going over the top, and who need to be subject to some control. All you can do is complain and hope that the system will enforce the rules. And try not to let it get to you.

[Barefoot]

The factor that convinced us to buy South of 466 was the cleanliness of the area. Immaculate. No litter, no unsightly lawn displays, everything tastefully done.

I really like having by-law restrictions. I know some people would like to "personalize" their front lawn. But ... as much as I believe that my stuffed moose is wonderful and your seven dwarfs are tacky .. you may think just the opposite.

[nONIE]

Bare, you are so funny! Ill take the stuffed moose AND the Seven Dwarfs and you can throw in Snow White too!

one thing I promise NEVER NEVER NEVER to put in my front lawn is that ghastly fat butted woman bent over gardening!

[Bryant]

Those restrictions have always been in place in the Marion County section of TV. I love the restriction; no tackiness up here!

[ConeyIsBabe]

Originally Posted by nONIE

Bare, you are so funny! Ill take the stuffed moose AND the Seven Dwarfs and you can throw in Snow White too!

one thing I promise NEVER NEVER NEVER to put in my front lawn is that ghastly fat butted woman bent over gardening!

Nonie........ several houses down the road from me.... they have displayed two life-sized cutouts of this exact scene, one male, the other female ! (bent-over butts). Another couple of houses down the road has been a red double-decker BUS sitting on the front lawn since I've lived here. Now, these are not "trashy" residences...... just objects the owners find pleasing to the eye, I guess and this is a rural country area.

My personal taste leans towards simplistic rather than lots of visual stimulation so I guess I would fit-in with TV's standards