#18: A Committee Could Judge Your House Before It Existed
Many developments used architectural-control committees or developer approval to review building plans before construction. Buyers could own the lot and still need someone else to approve the house they wanted to put on it. Requirements might cover size, style, materials, placement, and garages. The idea was to protect neighborhood character and property values. It also created the ancestor of every modern homeowner who has muttered, “Why does a committee get to judge my porch?” today.
