There are very few new (or newer) neighborhoods in the Metro Atlanta area these days that are not governed by neighborhood Covenants and Restrictions, a set of by-laws setting forth the rules of the neighborhoods. The rules can govern everything from the type of fence you are allowed to install and where you can install it and the type and number of trees you can plant (or cut down) to the color you are allowed to paint your house. They can give architectural as well as cosmetic guidelines. They range from lenient to extremely strict, depending on the neighborhood, and they seem to become less relaxed as the price range goes up. Basically, they force you, as much as they can to be a "good neighbor" and to respect the integrity of the neighborhood.

(Many of our clients who come in from out of state are unfamiliar with the concept of neighborhood covenants and restrictions. One set of clients came from Florida and had lived on 2 acres in a neighborhood that really wasn't so much a subdivision as it was a collection of 1 to 3 acre lots, somewhat rural, on which you could basically do to your home what you wished.)

Older neighborhoods, which are prevalent intown in places such as Decatur, Brookhaven and Buckhead, lack these rules and guidelines, but the neighborhoods are so well-established that the needs for them seem few and far between.

Until you see a house like this:

Take closer look...

Yes, that is "FREE SPEECH" spray painted on the house (not very neatly, I might add) and a mannequin nailed up to the side of the house. And, oh yes, big purple spray-painted polka dots.

This is a house in Decatur, Georgia, in a beautifulneighborhood of 1950s and 1960s houses, ranging from 2-bed/1-bath up to 4-bed/2bath, near Emory University. I love this neighborhood, especially for my first-time homebuyers who are looking in the $180,000 to $260,000+ price range. Many of the houses have been renovated, and fall at the upper price range, with some still available that need varying degrees of renovation/rehabilitation/updating.

Now, I am not sure who did what to anger this resident or what prompted him to do this to his home. I've asked around, especially to some friends who live in the area, but no one seems to know the reason! (If anyone from the Atlanta-Decatur area is reading this and knows...please let us know!) However, it is, in my opinion, a great argument in favor of neighborhood covenants and restrictions!

Maura Gebhardt
The Gebhardt Group
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
10220 Medlock Bridge Road
Johns Creek, GA 30097

(770) 751-5895
info@GebhardtGroup (email)
http://www.gebhardtgroup.com/ (website)
http://www.gebhardtgroupblog.com (blog)