My Wife and I bought our home about 8 months ago, and I tried to read the rules but I don't speak legalese.

Two Things:

What are the rules about painting the outside of our home? We would love Red or Yellow. We bought the house from a previous owner with a bad taste of baby poo green.

We have an unfinished back yard (gravel and river stones), totally fenced off (ie no one can see in our out), what are the rules here and what do I have to do to get an ok?

Normally, I would just go ask them, but with all the horror stories here, I was looking for a best approach and make sure I had all my ducks ready for them..

Thanks!