Battle-axe blocks can increase the value of a property.
Perhaps you have considered building a second house behind yours if you have ample yard space. You could lengthen your driveway and by doing so make a significant investment in your property, not to mention give your family extra living space. If you were to do so, you would have built a "battle-axe block." Does this Spark an idea?
Definition
According to Collins English Dictionary, a battle-axe block is an area of land that is located behind another. The only way to enter the area located farthest from the street is from a driveway shared by both plots of land. This term typically applies to real estate. In this case it means that a house or section of land has an area behind it big enough for another house. These two plots share a common driveway. Typically, battle-axe blocks are located in a city block or subdivision.
Word Origin
This term derives from the relative shape of the plot of land farthest from the driveway. This plot located at the back of the property appears to be the blade of the axe while the common driveway serves as the handle of the axe. Therefore, the rear block of land appears as a "battle-axe block."
Benefits
One advantage of owning a house on a developed battle-axe block is the flexibility it gives homeowners. It can serve as an investment that will raise the resale price for owners to build either a shed or another house on this property. They can then rent the property out, let guests stay there or live there themselves while remodeling or rebuilding a house in the front of the property.
Disadvantages
Battle-axe blocks, however, can pose a difficulty, especially if the property is not all owned by one person. Two separate owners sharing a common driveway can pose problems, such as one blocking the other in. Additionally, these houses are likely to be very close together, therefore limiting yard space and privacy for all the residents. It is sometimes possible for another rear-access driveway to be built to the farther house; however, this can be costly and may be hard to put in place if restricted property lines are present.
Battle-Axe
Real estate agents or home sellers sometimes refer to this concept as merely a "battle-axe," although this term can have a very different meaning from "battle-axe block." Formally it refers to a large axe used as a weapon in war. It also has developed into a derogatory term for an older women. To call an elderly female a "battle-axe" means she is unpleasant because of her fierce, stubborn attitude. This term is also often spelled "battleaxe" and "battle-ax."
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