Op - we do live in the suburbs. We don’t live in DC. |
Op - yes we have a shed in the backyard to fit bikes, tools, etc. lot is around 0.30 acres. |
I would add the upstairs space and leave the garage as is. A workout space and mudroom really seem like a waste of space and definitely not a necessity. Would much more prefer a garage. |
Yes, if we liked everything else about it. |
Nope. I need at least one car garage or I’m not bothering. |
I’ve never lived in a place with an attached garage. Or unattached for that matter. I don’t see what the big deal is. I actually think it’s weird to drive into your house. Isn’t there a risk the fumes from your car leak into your house? |
I would do this. You can easily use the garage as a workout space and mudroom without taking away the functionality for when you sell it. I live in a house without a garage now, but garages are very unusual in our neighborhood (we're near the bay so have a lot of environmental restrictions and garages take up developed land that most people would rather use for the actual house.) |
This. Plus couldn’t you just plug in a space heater and work out in the garage as is? |
WE were thinking about converting our garage, as well. We live in FFX. Ultimately, we decided against it for this very reason. I would not buy a house without a garage so I expect the same from potential buyers. We are instead doing a rear extension to add more sq ft to the house. We may also do an addition over the garage (or behind it) but will keep the garage itself. It was a long discussion. Best of luck |
My old town most people left garage door up. Filed no permits then turned garage into bedroom or office. Insulate or heat etc. my one neighbor actually when open garage door only four feee deep just enough to put mower and shovels and bike. He then closed off b hind that.
When you sell room is a “gift” or “”bonus” or if buyer wants garage or bank cares just remove wall to make it garage again. Filing no permits makes it easy and keeps taxes lower. I have a 6,000 sf house and have never parked in garage |
Nope. Pass. A large house like that and no garage? When I was house hunting we looked at a large house, but with one small single garage. It had 7 BR, presumably, meant for a largish family. I want a garage. |
I think this is your best advice. That said, as a longtime DC resident who finally moved out to Fairfax and a two-car garage, dang, they're nice to have. I used to read real estate threads without understanding why people cared about garages, but I get it now (and am confused by neighbors who fill theirs with so much junk that they can't park there). |
clearly you really have never lived in a house with a garage. |
I am in my 50's, have lived my whole life in Northern Virginia, and have never had a garage. I live in a 1.6 million dollar house older house, in a neighborhood with similar homes, mostly without a garage. The houses on my street sell within days when they go on the market. I'd say it mostly depends on your location and neighborhood. |
I just bought a house without a garage even though I almost considered a garage a necessity for our next phase. Housing stock is low and only a fraction have garages. We decided to make do. |