VVP is a designated Historic District; before you touch windows/doors, stoops/areaways, façades, rear or rooftop additions (including decks and railings), you must secure a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of No Effect from the Historic Preservation Commission—often before building permits. This adds review time, design constraints, and material specs that affect budgets and timelines.

Townhome value-add plans (kitchen bump-outs, rear additions, penthouse/roof decks) are constrained by rear-yard and massing (“bulk”) standards, plus strict visibility rules from the public way. HPC decisions show rear and roof work frequently conditioned or denied; plan with compliant massing and sightline studies to avoid redesigns.

Park-facing blocks trade on greenery and historic vistas but also host farmers’ markets, outdoor films, and community events—great for vibrancy, louder on event days. If you want quiet, evaluate exact block orientation and insulation; if you want energy, park frontage commands a premium.

Historic rowhouse blocks rarely offer private driveways. Expect resident zone permits and careful reading of posted restrictions; guest logistics and garage leases may be part of the plan. Factor this into tenant appeal and resale.

For townhomes, owners are typically responsible for sidewalk maintenance/permits, and any work impacting the right-of-way. Street-tree rules (pit sizes, species, removals) are prescriptive; root-lift repairs and pit changes require coordination with Forestry and Engineering—important for stoop safety, accessibility, and curb appeal budgets.

Downtown blocks around VVP include mapped flood exposure; garden/basement levels and low-set mechanicals require special scrutiny. Verify parcel FEMA zone, building coverage, lender requirements, and installed mitigations (sumps, check valves, elevated systems) before underwriting.