Tag

setback

“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” — But, What Makes a Good Fence??

Step #1: What Are the Local Setback Requirements? Robert Frost’s line is often quoted, but seldom defined: what is it exactly that makes a “good” fence good? Here are my four criteria: One. Aesthetic. Acceptable fence materials include wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain link, wrought iron, and wire. Any of the above can be attractive — or...
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On Blake Road, But Not ON Blake Road

How to Make a Busy Street Disappear A location on a busy street need not be a dealbreaker. If you’re dubious, consider 5600 Blake Road in Edina’s gorgeous Parkwood Knolls neighborhood, listed by Edina Realty’s Matt Lill. I count no fewer than five ways the owner and their builder are minimizing the proximity of a busy...
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New Construction 3-for-1: Revisiting 2810 Glenhurst 8 Months Later

1) Bigger Garage; 2) Attached (vs. Detached); 3) No More Shared Shoveling If you’re a developer who just bought a dated, undersized tear-down on a small(er) city lot, what do you do? To maximize profit, you want to build as big as possible, consistent with city zoning and setback requirements. However, if you overdo it,...
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Bet on Country Club

No More New Construction? Buy land. They’re not making it anymore. –Mark Twain Twain was clearly wrong about land (and real estate generally) always being a good investment; when credit is cheap and demand strong, prices can and do reach unsustainably high prices. However, his basic insight — look for something where supply is constrained...
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