AS WELL, AS A BUYER YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE TITLE INSURANCE COMMITMENT YOU WILL RECEIVE AT OR PRIOR TO YOUR CLOSING TO CHECK FOR ANY DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY NOT BE CONTAINED HERE AND REQUEST COPIES OF ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS. EVEN DOCUMENTS ALREADY RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE COUNTY MAY BE CHANGED IN THE MANNER STATED IN THOSE DOCUMENTS.īECAUSE OF THESE FACTORS, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY PARTICULAR DOCUMENT PROVISION AS REFLECTING THE ACTUAL, FINAL WORD CONCERNING ITS SUBJECT MATTER SUCH AS RULES AND RESTRICTIONS, BUDGET/ASSESSMENT AMOUNTS OR SERVICES OR FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE COMMUNITY. THE DOCUMENTS YOU DO SEE HERE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME, WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER YOU SIGN A CONTRACT FOR A HOME OR BEFORE OR AFTER YOU CLOSE ON THE PURCHASE OF THE HOME. THEY ALSO MAY NOT BE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS GOVERNING YOUR COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY CITY OR COUNTY CODES, PRIOR RESTRICTIONS NOT CREATED BY US, ETC. Know what types of lights and how many are allowed.WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY DOCUMENT LIBRARY.ĪNY AND ALL DOCUMENTS YOU WILL FIND HERE ARE FOR YOUR GENERAL REFERENCE ONLY AND MAY BE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION.

Outdoor lights: One family got in trouble for leaving their tasteful, white decorative Christmas lights up until February.

Also, leaving garbage cans out for more than a day can get you fined.

Mailboxes and garbage cans: size, color and types.

Garages and sheds: Unauthorized sheds are another sticking point, and junky garages will get you in trouble, as will leaving your garage door up.

Owners often get into trouble if they are in the front yard. At others, they must be small and out of sight.

Swing sets and basketball hoops: At some communities these are big no-nos.

Community pools often come with strict rules on times they can be used, supervision of youngsters and whether guests are allowed. Boards regulate whether owners can have pools, diving boards and how large they can be.

Pools: These are often hot-button items.

Trees, lawns and weeds: what types of plants can be put in and even how many times a month you must water and mow your lawn.

Fences and hedges: whether you can have them at all, and if so, what type, color and how tall - right down to the inches.

Consider whether the rules fit your lifestyle and sense of community.

If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.

If you are considering an age-restricted community, what is the policy on underage residents and visitors? Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records.

What are the rules on pets, flags, satellite dishes, fences, patios and home businesses?.

Do you feel comfortable with the architectural guidelines?.

Does the community have a cash reserve for new projects?.

If you are on a tight budget, find out how easy it is for the board to increase the assessment amount.

Take time to talk to people who live there about the association.If you don't understand the rules, ask your real estate agent or lawyer for help. Get copies of the governing documents from the association manager or obtain a copy from your local clerk of court.If so, make sure you take the following steps:

Once you have an eye on a home, ask the real estate agent if it is part of a homeowner's association or whether there are any type of deed restrictions. What to know before you buy into a homeowner's association (HOA):

Lake county fl hoa covenants