In that northeast Fort Bend County neighborhood is a one-story home in the 10,000 block of Gulfstream Lane that is at the center of a color controversy.

The home on Gulfstream Lane stands out a little from the rest. And owner Paul Van House couldn't be prouder of his house.  "I think it's a bright color that makes the house look a bit more cheery," said Van House. "And I think if we had more bright colors in the neighborhood, it would add to the attractiveness."

But the aquamarine blue he loves somuch has the Townewest Homeowners' Association seeing red. 

Last week Van House received a letter from the association's management company. It stated his house color didn't comply with neighborhood code. And that he had 15 days to explain how he would solve the problem or request a hearing. 

Van House says he slapped on the paint in 1990. Back then the homeowners' association gave it the okay. 

"When it gets down to house color, especially one that's been around for 12 years like this one, I just think they're picking nits," said Van House. 

Van House and his wife wonder why their homeowners' association is so worried about their home, when they feel there's something else it should be more concerned about. 

Becky Van House said that a burned out shell of a home has looked the same for months. "The kids walk right by it," she said. "And I'm sure some of them are tempted to play around it when they go home from school." House of a different color causes controversy 

But she said that the homeowners' association has refused to do anything. They decided instead to force the Van Houses to choose between freedom and foreclosure. 

Neither the Townewest Homeowner's Association nor their management company would comment. Legal experts say homeowners are bound by neighborhood deed restrictions. But since a previous association said the color was all right, the Van Houses could have a strong case.