[Trish Crocker]

I don't know about other realtors but in my experience with "sign calls"...I will get a call regarding a sign..."how much is the house?"..after telling the caller the price they will then tell me it is more than they want to spend (it's almost always more than they want to spend) or there are not enough bedrooms or bathrooms or the basement isn't finished...etc...etc. At that point I may sometimes be able to tell them about other properties but usually they say they were just inquiring about that particular house or they are already working with an agent. On the other hand, when someone knows what they want, they work with an agent to help them find properties that suit their qualifications...most people calling from real estate signs are just curious and not serious...most serious buyers are working with licensed agents. I seems to me that the majority of people that are in TV looking for their first home are there on a limited time frame and do not have the time to drive every neighborhood so they look for for an agent to help them. Unless the agent from the Villages that they choose to work with LIES to them about needing an MLS agent, the buyer will learn quickly. I can't imagine an agent lying about that...not just because of ethics but because the buyer can and will find out very, very quickly that they were lied to and that particular agent will be in serious trouble. I know, a few of you will swear that you would have never, ever found your home without the sign but trust me....you are the exception.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

IF there ARE that many signs on one street - just MAYBE there IS something WRONG! without the signs no one would know they should ask that question! just sayin'.

There is that "just sayin" again.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

excuse me - i was always told that [in addition to being advtg] UNTIL the signatures are on the dotted lines at closing - no house is ever considered legally sold; and that r.e. agents are required to 'accept' all offers on property until they are sold - of course, advising hopefuls when props have gone into atty review, etc. - thus, signs should remain on the property until closing and after same be promptly removed. not so?

I was a first time homebuyer 14 years ago -- so I was just surprised that the for sale sign was still up next to my townhouse when I arrived the day before the closing for the final walk through with my real estate agent. The for sale sign was removed the next day after the closing -- and all was good .

[Trish Crocker]

Not sure how it's done elsewhere, but here in Michigan houses were typically taken off the market once an offer was accepted..it is considered a pending sale and the home was in essence taken off the market. In today's market, since there are so many foreclosures, the bank owned proproperties and shortsales are marked CCS after an offer is accepted...this means agents can continue to show the home and write back-up offers until the bank has officially accepted the offer and the agent is sure the first deal will close. In a typical sale with an owner occupied property the home is considered to have a pending sale because to do otherwise is unfair to the potential buyer and frustrating to the seller. Imagine how you would feel as a seller to accept an offer only to have someone bring your agent a higher offer after you had accepted the first? In regards to the for sale sign still being up the day of closing, there are a few reasons for that..first of all, if the deal doesn't go through for any reason the agent has to pay to have a new sign installed, secondly, the sign may still generate calls to the office, it's considered advertising for the agent and thirdly, some agents I have known consider it 'bad luck' to remove the sign before closing. As I said, I'm sure things are different in other areas. Right now I'm taking the Florida Real Estate class and so far have not seen any major differences between Michigan and Florida (except I'm can be sure I'll never run into a gator here!)

[lovesports]

Trish,
This was a reply to your" sign call" post. I type so slow that a bunch of other posts are on now...hope this in not too confusing.
The Villages are different than most real estate markets. Two Village restate agents have told us the average villager buys 2 to 3 homes in the villages. Some want a bigger house, some want a smaller house, some want a new house, some want a new location, a few want to get away from neighbors and a few want to move near friends and family.
Many retired people have plenty of time to look until we see something we like. Plus its very easy to buy or sell here. Its a hot market. Some snowbirds come for months and even years and just look until they find something they really like and then they buy. People do use signs to actually buy and sell here, especially if we live here.
We have been here 7 years and we are on our second home here. I know Gracie is on her second home. Many of our friends are like us going bigger at this age and our older friends going smaller.
So Trish when you get here I think you will find the Villages very different than other places when it comes to real estate. Its also true we are just plain selling a lot of houses by every method.

Good luck with selling your home.

[ilovetv]

"Plus its very easy to buy or sell here. Its a hot market."

Exactly! Thus, there's no need to clutter up the yard with for sale signs when putting it in the window works just fine.

[Trish Crocker]

This is what I really don't understand...if anyone was having a problem selling properties then maybe they would have an issue. As it stands, it appears that the houses there are selling like crazy....why all the complaining???

[lovesports]

As has been said before, the only ones who can answer that question are the one who are affected. Like everything...you don't know what's its about until you are the one affected. I think some who are affected have posted. The rest of us really should shut up. Which I need to do anyways.
Its the people who are trying to sell or who are Realtors or who live in those villages that can answer your question Trish. They know what they are talking about. They are the ones affected. Its hard to have an outsider telling them what they should think.
Everyone believe what you want. I can understand both sides. I also have a great deal of fun things planned with my Villages Lifestyle so off I go to have some fun.

[hdh1470]

Houses that do not sell are not because of signage.Priced to high?Doesn't show well?Needs work,and maybe not marketed correct.Just a sign is not they way to sell a house.And most likely over priced,most people selling a house or auto or anything of theirs always think it's worth more then what it is.And I often do also.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

This is what I really don't understand...if anyone was having a problem selling properties then maybe they would have an issue. As it stands, it appears that the houses there are selling like crazy....why all the complaining???

It's a reason to hate the developer.

[jandbrare]

All who bought in The Villages signed up to a Deed Restriction which says,

A sign showing the Owner's name will be permitted in common specifications to be set forth by the Developer. No other signs or advertisements will be permitted without the express written consent of the Developer.

This restriction was enforced south of 466 but had not been north of 466. Complaints by residents north of 466 resulted in the enforcement of the restriction there, as well.

So, no "rights" have been taken away. The "right" never existed because it was signed away in the deed restriction.

I attended a public meeting on this subject on July 30 at 9am at Laurel Manor. It was a well-conducted meeting. The meeting opened with a lengthy slide show presentation of the complicated history and legalities read by the head of District Staff, Janet Tutt.
Then, Valerie Fuchs, legal counsel to Staff, read her opinion on the First Amendment ramifications of prohibiting signs and cited other precedents.

Then, I was asked to read District 3 Supervisor John Goetz's statement, as he was on vacation and had initiated the entire enforcement action on behalf of residents who had complained to him and requested his assistance. Mr. Goetz had a pre-planned vacation which prevented his appearance. Each District has 5 supervisors. Each expressed his opinion on the issue of real estate signage and declared whether he favored the enforcement of the Deed Restriction.
District 1: No
District 2: No
District 3: Yes, 3-2 with absent-Supervisor Goetz's presumed aye.
District 4: No
District 5: Unanimously Yes.
Interestingly District 5 is the only District which is South of CR 466 and the only district where the Deed Restriction has been enforced since construction.

Then, the audience/public was invited to comment for not more than 3 minutes. A few of the public statements were rational, most were emotional and referred to hardships created by having to sell homes without the "benefit of a yard sign". A few spoke in favor of enforcement. Most spoke against, including the Real Estate agents, of course. I sat patiently with an info-graphic by the National Association of Realtors that showed that a yard sign is only half as "useful" as an agent or the Internet.

But, by the time I would have made a statement, the public presentation had become so raucous that County Sheriffs had been called twice to seat speakers that would not adhere to the 3-minute limit. I didn't feel that my input would have been considered. The infographic is Exhibit 3-6 of this presentation:2010 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

Each of Districts 1-5 will have the choice of ignoring the deed restriction or enforcing it. They will do so in their regular meetings. I will present my infographic at that time—in a more temperate atmosphere. Could result in a real hodgepodge with adjacent districts allowing and dis-allowing signs. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by jandbrare

All who bought in The Villages signed up to a Deed Restriction which says,


This restriction was enforced south of 466 but had not been north of 466. Complaints by residents north of 466 resulted in the enforcement of the restriction there, as well.

So, no "rights" have been taken away. The "right" never existed because it was signed away in the deed restriction.

I attended a public meeting on this subject on July 30 at 9am at Laurel Manor. It was a well-conducted meeting. The meeting opened with a lengthy slide show presentation of the complicated history and legalities read by the head of District Staff, Janet Tutt.
Then, Valerie Fuchs, legal counsel to Staff, read her opinion on the First Amendment ramifications of prohibiting signs and cited other precedents.

Then, I was asked to read District 3 Supervisor John Goetz's statement, as he was on vacation and had initiated the entire enforcement action on behalf of residents who had complained to him and requested his assistance. Mr. Goetz had a pre-planned vacation which prevented his appearance. Each District has 5 supervisors. Each expressed his opinion on the issue of real estate signage and declared whether he favored the enforcement of the Deed Restriction.
District 1: No
District 2: No
District 3: Yes, 3-2 with absent-Supervisor Goetz's presumed aye.
District 4: No
District 5: Unanimously Yes.
Interestingly District 5 is the only District which is South of CR 466 and the only district where the Deed Restriction has been enforced since construction.

Then, the audience/public was invited to comment for not more than 3 minutes. A few of the public statements were rational, most were emotional and referred to hardships created by having to sell homes without the "benefit of a yard sign". A few spoke in favor of enforcement. Most spoke against, including the Real Estate agents, of course. I sat patiently with an info-graphic by the National Association of Realtors that showed that a yard sign is only half as "useful" as an agent or the Internet.

But, by the time I would have made a statement, the public presentation had become so raucous that County Sheriffs had been called twice to seat speakers that would not adhere to the 3-minute limit. I didn't feel that my input would have been considered. The infographic is Exhibit 3-6 of this presentation:2010 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

Each of Districts 1-5 will have the choice of ignoring the deed restriction or enforcing it. They will do so in their regular meetings. I will present my infographic at that time—in a more temperate atmosphere. Could result in a real hodgepodge with adjacent districts allowing and dis-allowing signs. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

The information provided at this meeting is inaccurate. Click on the attached link, select any villa neighborhood on the right hand side; Rio Grande Villas, for example, scan down to Article VII Section 4 and read the following: Professional signs advertising a property for sale or rent shall be allowed.


VCDD Deed Compliance - Sumter County

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by janmcn

The information provided at this meeting is inaccurate. Click on the attached link, select any villa neighborhood on the right hand side; Rio Grande Villas, for example, scan down to Article VII Section 4 and read the following: Professional signs advertising a property for sale or rent shall be allowed.


VCDD Deed Compliance - Sumter County

There's this though-- VCDD Deed Compliance - Lake County

"Compliance
IMPORTANT NOTICE

Effective June 15, 2012, the only professional For Sale and For Rent signs that will be allowed within The Villages community is twelve inches high by twelve inches wide, located wholly within the home and only visible through a window of the home. To view the Developer’s “Intent Letter” please click here.

You have chosen to live in one of the most beautiful communities in Florida. It will remain a premier community because the residents support strict compliance with the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions. Many residents moved to The Villages because of these restrictions. To maintain the overall aesthetic qualities desirable in a first-class community, certain activities and property uses are restricted. The following is a summary of many items covered in the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions. This summary is meant to call attention to some of the major items and by no means is a comprehensive list.

•Air-Conditioners: Window air-conditioners are prohibited and only central air-conditioners are permitted.
•Building Repair: Dwellings and structures must at all times be kept in good repair, adequately painted and otherwise clean.
•Garbage/Trash: Prior to being placed curbside for collection, no rubbish, trash, garbage or other waste material shall be kept or permitted on any Homesite or on dedicated or reserved areas except in containers, as required by your sanitation hauler, located in appropriate areas concealed from public view.
•Lawn ornaments: Some neighborhoods prohibit lawn ornaments. Please check your individual Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions.
•Maintenance: Landscaping shall be maintained to provide a neat and clean appearance. Removal of weeds, dead plants, grass clippings, trash and debris is required to meet this objective.
•Modifications: Alterations to the exterior of the home or lot require architectural approval.
•Motor Vehicles: No vehicles incapable of operation shall be stored on any Homesite.
•Residential Use Restrictions: Property must be devoted only to single-family residential use. Properties within the Subdivision are intended for residential use and no commercial, professional or similar activity requiring either maintaining an inventory, equipment or customer/client visits may be conducted in a Home or on a Homesite.
•Satellite Dishes: Please contact the Community Standards Department for guidelines.
•Signage: Where permitted, please check your individual Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions for size and location.
•Tree Removal: No tree with a trunk four (4) inches in diameter shall be removed or effectively removed through excessive injury without first obtaining written permission.


Due to the diversity of the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions, it is important that you familiarize yourself with your particular set.

Concerns about possible deed restriction violations may be provided to the Community Standards Deed Compliance Division by phone, fax, mail, electronic mail, or in person and may be made anonymously. The Community Standards Deed Compliance Division is entirely complaint driven.
Contact Us
1894 Laurel Manor Drive
The Villages, FL 32162

Community Standards
Phone: 352-751-3912
Fax: 352-751-6707
Email Deed Compliance

Email Architectural Review

Business Hours:
8am to 5pm, EST
Monday – Friday
Excluding Holidays."

[KathieI]

I'm not interested in what the compliance rules say, I come from a city where houses were as close together as they are here in TV and in a slow market where houses weren't selling, the signs were so unsightly and just plain ugly all up and down the street. I'm always looking for For Sale signs as I'm still interested in downsizing to a smaller house and it isn't difficult to ride through a neighborhood and look for the signs in the front windows. Lately, I've been seeing them on garage doors which also isn't bad.

Just my opinion.

[cathyw]

Janmcn--The info provided AT THE MEETING was correct. They stated at the onset of the meeting that ALL VILLAS north of 466 explicitly state that signs are allowed.