The Mail Carrier's Plea for House Numbers

This video requires its own post given the absurdity of the matter.

My husband was taking out the bins yesterday evening ahead of Friday morning's trash pick-up, when our mail carrier (with whom he is not familiar and had never previously interacted) approached to ask for his help.  She asked that my husband request of "the people in charge" (i.e., Meritage Homes) that visible house numbers be installed on the homes in the Willow community.  My husband broke out in laughter and replied that we had, in fact, requested these some time ago, but that the developer, Meritage Homes, had informed us that it had complied with the local requirements and would, essentially, do no more.

Link to video: The Mail Carrier's Plea for House Numbers

When the HOA sent out a communication regarding its intent to allow for the installation of house numbers without a $75 Architectural fee, we submitted Written Comments in which we argued that homeowners SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for these as visible house numbers are a fundamental part of the purchase of a home.  Of course, Meritage never bothered to reply.

I addressed this issue in my first post, "Meritage Homes Suck!".  The Willow development is not a new set-up for Meritage, as per the picture that follows in which house numbers at Meritage Homes's Heirloom Farms development in Temecula, CA were affixed to the homes closest to the street.  Perhaps it simply boils down to the Temecula Fire Department being stricter than the Redlands Fire Department.   It is quite ironic, though, because when I called the Redlands Fire Department regarding a fire in my neighbor's backyard in May 2025, the responding unit had to call me back for detailed directions because they were unable to find my neighbor's property.  I can't recall whether I came out to flag them down or whether I had them count driveways (as I do with any of our visitors).  It is a ludicrous and incredibly frustrating situation! 

Meritage's Heirloom Farms, Temecula, CA - House Numbers affixed to buildings closest to the street 

Meritage's Heirloom Farms, Temecula, CA - Motor Courts painted in red with NO PARKING FIRE LANE; During ADR, we requested the same for the Willow community, but Meritage claimed that painting the motor courts in red would make the community unattractive.

And, if that weren't enough, we have been battling the HOA for the installation of house numbers on our property since shortly after the HOA amended its architectural guidelines to allow for these without a $75 review fee, if/ when these comply with the community's guidelines.  We have been fined twice to date ($100 each time) and recently received another warning.  We're not the type of individuals to ignore a citation and have responded with questions regarding the HOA's specific grievances about our house numbers, but have been met with RADIO SILENCE.  At this point, we have thrown in the towel and will be addressing this matter as part of our lawsuit against the HOA et al.

Hopefully, I've made my point - it's not that Meritage Homes does not know, it's that Meritage Homes does not care!  Meritage's business model appears to revolve around doing the bare minimum in its entry-level homes.  And, we get it- Meritage is in business to make a profit... but, come on, these are frigging house numbers we're talking about!  

Anyway, when your guests (and/ or mail carrier!) complain that they can't find your Willow home because house numbers are not visible from the street, tell them to suck-it-up because Meritage has done its part and complied with basic local requirements.