Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2014 · 332 posts · 74 votes
Hi all. Would like to get your feedback: I'm building a house in Edina MN starting in 2 weeks, it will sell b/n 900k-1m
All houses that are new construction in this neighborhood have two car detached or attached garage. I was planning to build like everybody else (2 car detached or 2 car attached) but my architect says that he would rather choose a house that is not super good looking from the front, because it will have 3 car garage, than building a better looking house with 2 cars garage. Please share your opinion and respond:
2-which means 2 car garage or 3-which means 3 car garage.
Also how would you pay 43k more for the house to implement energy efficient improvements if the payback period for these improvements is 12 years or less.
See, most builders in that area build to code, which is the minimum standard of construction, and this house will bit the code by at least 200%
I hate to say this, but I lost $20k in profit on my first build trying to build energy efficient. Waste of money and my home(s) would sell without it...
I love the look of 1 and 2 . However; those huge roofs are very expensive! Number 4 is probably the most economical to build, and then 5. Deicsions, decisions. All of them are great designs. Good luck! Hope to see them on Investor Deal Diaries!
Thank you very much to all of you for providing the feedback about exterior elevations, we had only 4 people who provided the votes and so far the top choices are #4, #5, #7
I personally like #2 (by extending the garage to the right, making it double and extending the house above the garage and lowering the front stoop), then #1 and #4
#7 looks like a house that everybody else has built many times.
Would be very nice for other BPs to provide the feedback about their choices, so if you can, please do!
@Pavel Sakurets Good choice! After looking at the choices again, I think that is actually my favorite. You want to be careful when you post and ask for opinions, remember that you are the one there, on the ground, and know what you are trying to achieve.
On our San Clemente house I posted about the length of the kitchen island, as I was considering 14'. Everyone thought it was too big, and though 8-10' would be better. I compromised on 12'. However; now that cabinets are going in, I am kicking myself for not staying with the 14, it would have been a huge feature, and worked perfectly!
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of great advice on here that is very helpful, but sometimes, you just have to stick with your vision!
@Pavel Sakurets Good choice! After looking at the choices again, I think that is actually my favorite. You want to be careful when you post and ask for opinions, remember that you are the one there, on the ground, and know what you are trying to achieve.
On our San Clemente house I posted about the length of the kitchen island, as I was considering 14'. Everyone thought it was too big, and though 8-10' would be better. I compromised on 12'. However; now that cabinets are going in, I am kicking myself for not staying with the 14, it would have been a huge feature, and worked perfectly!
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of great advice on here that is very helpful, but sometimes, you just have to stick with your vision!
So glad you chose #4 - it is going to be beautiful.
My personal choice would be for the 2 car and larger living/dining rooms; however:
1) My husband's truck does not fit into most standard garages, so we just need room for my car and his two motorcycles. We have a 30 x 40 shop for him to store his tools and build/repair as needed for his work.
2) No kids, so don't have to worry about an additional vehicle now or in the future.
3) As a female, bigger garage would by my husband's thing, not mine. I would want more square footage in the living space, he would be O.K. with that if he were allowed to park the bikes in the house (and, yes, we have had that conversation).
So glad you chose #4 - it is going to be beautiful.
My personal choice would be for the 2 car and larger living/dining rooms; however:
1) My husband's truck does not fit into most standard garages, so we just need room for my car and his two motorcycles. We have a 30 x 40 shop for him to store his tools and build/repair as needed for his work.
2) No kids, so don't have to worry about an additional vehicle now or in the future.
3) As a female, bigger garage would by my husband's thing, not mine. I would want more square footage in the living space, he would be O.K. with that if he were allowed to park the bikes in the house (and, yes, we have had that conversation).
Thank you very much for your comment Cindy.
Typically families that buy houses in that area have 2 children and one of them is going to high school or college and it's important to have a 3rd car garage.
However all builders that build in Edina who has 50' lots were only building houses with 2 car garage. I'm the only one that wants to build a 3 car.
Houses that are on bigger lots, have 3 car garages of course.
Hi all. Would like to get your feedback: I'm building a house in Edina MN starting in 2 weeks, it will sell b/n 900k-1m
All houses that are new construction in this neighborhood have two car detached or attached garage. I was planning to build like everybody else (2 car detached or 2 car attached) but my architect says that he would rather choose a house that is not super good looking from the front, because it will have 3 car garage, than building a better looking house with 2 cars garage. Please share your opinion and respond:
2-which means 2 car garage or 3-which means 3 car garage.
Also how would you pay 43k more for the house to implement energy efficient improvements if the payback period for these improvements is 12 years or less.
See, most builders in that area build to code, which is the minimum standard of construction, and this house will bit the code by at least 200%
I think the challenge with getting good feedback from a BP forum for new construction is that the answer is always in knowing your local market. What are the preferences and demands in your local market? What are the competitors doing? what new construction styles are selling?
It's less about what people here think and more about what your market thinks.