Lowering property values or supporting local businesses
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85135)
Shingle Springs, California
February 20, 2016 12:48am CST
I had solar panels put on my house last fall. The contractor asked if he could put his sign in the yard, so I said yes.
On Tuesday as I drove to work, I thought it was probably time to take down the sign. Then around lunch time, Dearra called and said the salesman had come by with a check because the sign had gotten a referral. So I thought I might as well keep it up a little bit longer.
The next day I got a letter from the CSD (Community Services District) telling me that advertising signs were against the CC&Rs, and I should take it down. The letter mentioned property values too.
I didn't take it down that night as it was raining, or the next morning as I was in a hurry, but I did take it down the next evening after work. I could feel my property values go up $5 as I walked the sign into the garage. lol I also noticed driving home that pretty much all the signs in the neighborhood were down, so I wasn't specifically targeted.
I thought about it later though. That sign got a referral for a local business. Probably some of the other signs in the neighborhood did too. They helped keep somebody employed.
Maybe I'll put it back up in my window. I don't think they can tell me what I can do inside my house (evil grin).
What do you think is more important, appearances and property values or helping out local businesses?
5 people like this
7 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
20 Feb 16
I think that a sign like this should be allowed for a set period of time, maybe during the work and two weeks thereafter. It is a service to the neighbors and the business.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace We had one like that in my old neighborhood, home made "keep your dogs the hell off my lawn" sign. I didn't mind the sign, but the language, which was much worse than what I posted here, was a little too strong for a neighborhood with kids.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
21 Feb 16
@dawnald My neighborhood has rules. I put up a sign to ask strangers who were bringing their dogs into my yard to poo to keep their dogs off the grass. It worked.
But later, once the sign was down. A neighbor complained. Her alarm company signs are okay, but my keep off the grass sign was not. Odd since we have no crime here and their signs are permanent. We did have lots of people bringing their dogs into my yard daily, and my sign was temporary.
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
20 Feb 16
I'd tell them to f off and I'll put whatever I want in my garden
Who cares about a sign or two
Who cares about a sign or two1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Feb 16
@Mike197602 I don't either, but rules is rules, apparently.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
25 Feb 16
@dawnald In a way residential becomes commercial when you want to sell.
I don't see anything wrong with a sign in a garden.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
20 Feb 16
In a case like that I don't see how a sign is that much of a bad thing. I see those types of signs everywhere... when people have their driveway paved or their house painted.
Now if they had dozens of signs in their yard, sure.. that would be ugly.. but one sign isn't a huge deal.
1 person likes this
@stringer321 (5643)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
23 Feb 16
How much did the solar panels cost and how much did the work cost ?
I think the best thing you can do in that situation is to spread the word and tell others about the solar panels.
You can tell to random neighbors about the constructor and refer them yourself. You and the constructor will both enjoy. I wish I had solar panels in our roof, it is very expensive in my country to install them. The electricity company has a monopol, it's the only company that creates the power around here.
And we pay for electricity every month (not really our family because my dad has been working there for 39 years).
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Feb 16
They are$20,000 - $30,000 depending on how many you get. I have them on the south and west roofs, and it was $30,000...
@JudyEv (325584)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 16
It's a tough one isn't it? If you're hoping to sell your house I guess property values but I'm a great believer in using local businesses. And if I were buying a house having a few signs around wouldn't bother me. I doubt I'd even see them.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Feb 16
I think all of those are important and am glad I am not the one that has to make such decisions.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Feb 16
It's been in the CC&R's since the 1970's, but this is the first time I've seen them enforce it.
