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...Read More
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...Read More
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,...Read More
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...Read More
