Welcome to the community!
Living in a deed-restricted neighborhood is not for everyone and we are glad that you chose this neighborhood to live in!
When you purchased your home and by signing your mortgage papers, you agreed to abide by ALL of the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCR’s) that were imposed against your lot. Deed restrictions run with the lot, so these restrictions are part of the deed, not something that a homeowner volunteers to live by.
Home Buying Essentials
When you're buying a home, it's important to understand the restrictive covenants and other deed restrictions that are in place for the real estate you want to buy, because they dictate how you can and cannot use the property. Restrictive covenants are deed restrictions that apply to a group of homes or lots, property that's part of a specific development or subdivision. They are normally put in place by the original developer, and are different for every area of homes.
What's the Purpose of Restrictive Covenants?
Restrictions give a development a more standard appearance, and control some of the activities that take place within its boundaries. When enforced, covenants protect property values.
What You'll Always See in Covenants.
Restrictive covenants nearly always stipulate the minimum size residence allowed, how many homes may be built on one lot, and what type of construction the homes must (or must not) be.
Some Topics You'll See in Restrictive Covenants.
· Set backs (how far homes must be from streets and interior lot lines).
· Easements (such as a pathway for power lines or roads).
· Fees for road maintenance or amenities.
· Rules regarding changing or voiding the covenants.
· Rules about pets and other animals (for instance: no breeding for profit, no livestock, no unchained pets).
· Regulations dealing with in-home businesses and home rentals.
· Rules that speak about tree-cutting, lawn mowing, landscape care, mold and mildew on homes, etc
· Clauses that dictate what type of fencing can be used, and the procedures for making changes.
· Clauses to reduce clutter on lots, such as prohibiting owners from storing a vehicle that doesn't run within view of others, or parking a recreational vehicle on the property, or commercial style vehicles.
Lawn issues
· Lawn issues are always a “hot topic”. Many CCR’s require a certain type of sod (ST. Augustine for example). It is the intentions of the CCR’s to insure that all lawns are consistent and all lawns are 100% of that type of sod, free of weeds, bugs, brown spots, etc. By keeping this consistency, property values continue to rise and the neighborhood has a pleasant, clean feeling to residents, passerby’s and potential new buyers.
Your CCR’s (deed restrictions) are available on this website. Please take a moment to become familiar with them and should you have any questions, you may call the Southwest Property Management office @ (407) 656-1081.