I agree with Jean Ottey, a Realtor and member of the Rodgers Forge board: This screened-in porch at 408 Dunkirk is lovely (and probably boosts the home’s value!)
Of course, since 1999, the RF association has forbidden screened-in porches.
Jean writes: Spacious and charming true 5 Bedroom EOG with a full third floor. Really–you won’t believe the space! 3 full baths, new replacement windows,lovely hardwood floors, fireplace, finished lower level freshly painted with brand new berber, tons of storage space, lovely master bedroom w 3 closets. Kitchen is brimming with cabinets and counter space. Enjoy your morning coffee on the screened sunporch with a sweet view of the lovely yard. Check out the patio, perennials, trellis with hammock, it will be your oasis! Detached one-car garage can be used for your car or your workroom or garden shed. This home has so much to offer! An incredible Value–Check out the pictures!
See photos of the home here, and read more about screened-in porches in Rodgers Forge here.
I’m just sayin’!
Right on!!!! Love it!!!!!!!!
Um, when do WE get to list screened in porches as part of the amenities of our house?
WHY would anyone want to prevent someone from improving their home like this? It's not right. What do we do?
This is a nice porch. The problem is, we can't rely on everyone to have good taste, and not create an eyesore and risk bringing down the value around them. This is for the same reason one might be concerned about improving and raising their values, you also don't want to lose value b/c of something your neighbor did. They had plenty of opportunities to make improvements on their home, that did not include a patio. Frankly, the money would have been much better spent updating the kitchen and baths. As nice as it looks on the outside, I would not want the added cost of having to update all of those.
That is your opinion. You are entitled to it. But why should someone else tell me that I have to spend my money on updating my kitchen instead of putting on a lovely porch? Why not forbid decks, too, for fear that someone will construct an ugly deck?
If you'd rather have granite countertops than a porch, go for it. But let others make the decision for themselves.
I'm just speaking in terms what is usually the biggest selling point in a house and what the best investment is. It's pretty well known that kitchens and bathrooms give you the most return on your investment.
I'm assuming there are some guidelines on what kinds of decks we can build also. Does anyone know? I actually really like patios and think guidelines to prevent anyone from getting out of control would be the best compromise.
Decks
# A drawing of the deck, showing dimensions and position, should be submitted with the application. No contract for construction should be signed prior to receiving approval from the RFC, Inc. with specifics approved.
# Allowed only in the rear area of the house and constructed of wood.
# May not extend beyond rear sidewall of any end of group home. May not be wider than the width of any home, less 6” to 18” on each side of the home.
# Under any circumstances, all decks require a Baltimore County Building Permit. Must meet Board approval and County regulations as regards: setback, height, width, depth and materials used.
# Sizes and dimensions are limited, but 8 to 10-foot projections from the rear wall of the house, including steps, are usually acceptable. The actual distance that a deck, including steps, may project from the home varies within different sections of Rodgers Forge and in a few locations up to 12-feet is permitted. Whatever the precise final dimensions, it must be an open projection (on three sides) and may not have a roof or be enclosed.
# Lattices under the deck are permitted but not encouraged as it has been found that they promote pest harborages.
# Decks 4 feet in height or lower must have rodent wire, gravel or concrete beneath the deck to prevent pest harborages.
ALL changes must be submitted to and approved by the Rodgers Forge Community, Inc.
http://rodgersforge.org/building.html
And I agree, guidelines as to how big the porch can be and what it can look like make sense. An arbitrary ban on them does not.
Drive through the alleys in Loch Raven Village. You'll see what happens when people can do whatever they want. It looks horrible.
Right — that's why there would still be guidelines and approval.
Loch Raven Village? How about Cherry Hill or maybe Edmondson Village. Why would anyone think that the homeowners of Rogers Forge would do the same thing as someone in those community's. Maybe you should give the Rogers Forge homeowners some credit.
Maybe you need to drive through the alleys of Rogers Forge,it all ready looks like you can do what you want. OH, that's right you have to be a Board Member or a friend of one to do what you want to your home.
Why did you buy in this community if you did not like the rules? I like living here and I am glad that there are GUIDELINES. These guidleines are reasonable and legal. If you don't like rules then don't ever buy a condo. Perhpas you would be happier in a community where your neighbor can paint their door bright pink , hang their laundry over your fence and park their car on the front lawn.
Why is this person picking on the people in Loch Raven Village, Edmonson Village, and Cherry Hill? Is the implication that RF people are better than people who live there?