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 approached to ask for his help.  She asked that we request of "the people in charge" (i.e., Meritage Homes) that visible house numbers be installed on the homes.  My husband replied that we had, in fact, requested these, but that the developer, Meritage Homes, had basically informed us that it had complied with the local requirements and would 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 and basically stated that homeowners SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for this as visible house numbers are a fundamental part of the purchase of a home.  Of course, Meritage never bothered to reply.

I have addressed this issue in a previous post.  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 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.

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, subject to the community's guidelines.  We have been cited numerous times and fined at least once ($100) 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.  So, when your friends and family (and/ or mail carrier!) complain that they can't find your Willow home, be sure to tell them that it's their problem because Meritage complied with basic local requirements.