Sorry for your bad experience. It's difficult to figure these things out. The houses on either side of us went into foreclosure during the real estate bust and after the prior owners moved out, I wandered around to see what was there. I didn't take anything, but did note several nice boulders in one yard and some whimsical yard art pieces in the other. The banks hired a 'clean-up' crew for the yard art house and those folks took anything and everything that was not nailed down (likely part of their contract). The prior owner of the other house (with the boulders) gave me permission to take the rocks, but I just felt kind of squishy about running our tractor over there so didn't do so (plus my husband thought I was nutty). As it turns out, I'm fairly certain the new owners just rolled those gorgeous rocks down their hill into the weeds.
As an aside, I try not to judge folks on the appearance of their yard - some folks simply don't have the time, money or inclination to do yard work. Difficult for me to understand, but it does not harm me so do what you want. My brother is totally opposite me and only lives in 'covenant' neighborhoods (which would drive me bonkers). He is actually proud that his current neighborhood does not allow outdoor clotheslines. I can't even imagine what might be distasteful about airing your clean laundry? And needing approval for the color of your own house? Beats me.
