Call me a home improvement nut (must be the new homeowner in me) but I always get super excited when I see construction in a neighborhood.

Wish I had taken pictures from last week when they started putting the roof on this house on the 400 b/o Oakwood. I must admit I am rather partial to the pitched roof - it really brings charm and character to an already solid looking house. Besides being more functional and visually appealing it breaks up the neighborhood skyline nicely.

I think that is why I hate the "crackerjack box" style 4 in one rental properties that seem to be so popular over here. They don't have any character..no flair. Just a plain box with 4 little boxes inside with little box windows - and most of the time nothing more than that - no flowers, no bushes, no nothing. I really wish rental property owners will "spiff" up their rental properties a bit. People tend to have more pride in their home when it looks more like a home and less like a shoe box. There are some really cute multi family rental properties on Mellon Street. The owner (or possibly the tenants) have done some really nice landscaping in their yard with benches and even on the two trees directly in front their building. It's inviting, colorful and charming all at the same time. Will take some pictures tomorrow and post them.