Would you buy a house without a garage?

[Anonymous]

OP- I also have 3 kids 8 and under and live in a 1960s house that needed a major reno. We considered converting the garage but ultimately decided not to. Lots to consider. a few questions…

(1) where do you live?

(2) what is your renovation budget?

(3) where will you put the stuff that’s currently in the garage if you no longer have one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 1960s colonial house in the DC suburbs. Estimated value is $900k right now. We need more space and are debating about moving (don’t really want to) or doing a huge renovation where we convert our small garage into a two store addition. House is 4 bedroom and 2.5 bathrooms. Would add an additional office, bathroom and bedroom over the space and then below would add a workout space and a mud room.

Would you buy a close to 4000 sq ft house with no garage?

In the suburbs? No. It will look cheap to park cars in the driveway or in the street.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of close-in neighborhoods with limited space that do not have usable garages. It's annoying because it reduces the life of vehicles, but it's common enough that buyers looking in those neighborhoods accept this disadvantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 1960s colonial house in the DC suburbs. Estimated value is $900k right now. We need more space and are debating about moving (don’t really want to) or doing a huge renovation where we convert our small garage into a two store addition. House is 4 bedroom and 2.5 bathrooms. Would add an additional office, bathroom and bedroom over the space and then below would add a workout space and a mud room.

Would you buy a close to 4000 sq ft house with no garage?

In the suburbs? No. It will look cheap to park cars in the driveway or in the street.

Oh really? Tell that to my Bethesda street with the 2M+ houses. We all park on the street or in our tiny driveways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of close-in neighborhoods with limited space that do not have usable garages. It's annoying because it reduces the life of vehicles, but it's common enough that buyers looking in those neighborhoods accept this disadvantage.

My car is 17 years old and has never been parked in a garage. I think the main issue is clearing it in the winter and keeping it clean. I think a decent sized shed is an on replacement in terms of storage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big is the current garage? You said small, but does that mean it’s only one-car?

Op here - yes small one car garage. We can’t even fit our car in there anymore (filled with bikes, etc). But we once upon a time could fit a small sedan or small suv

If the garage is not functional then I would lean towards converting. Todays car are bigger and a 60s sized one car garage isnt going to cut it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big is the current garage? You said small, but does that mean it’s only one-car?

Op here - yes small one car garage. We can’t even fit our car in there anymore (filled with bikes, etc). But we once upon a time could fit a small sedan or small suv

If the garage is not functional then I would lean towards converting. Todays car are bigger and a 60s sized one car garage isnt going to cut it anymore.

The most popular-selling vehicle in the United States from 1960 to 1970 was the Chevrolet Impala sedan, measuring in at 210.8 inches long.

The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, considered a large SUV, is also 210 inches long.

OP, the other thing to keep in mind is that, with increased market share of EVs, garages are going to become even more important, not less. And there is better/faster charging inside the garage, where it's a little warmer. Outside charging is slower and less efficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

The big deal is that when it snows in the winter, you don't have to clear the car.

Or when it's 95 degrees in summer, you get into a car that is not so hot.

Or when it's pouring down rain and you come home with toddlers and a car full of groceries, you can pull into your attached garage without everything and everyone getting soaked.

A necessity? Of course not. But nice to have? Definitely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

clearly you really have never lived in a house with a garage.

Yes, PP said that very clearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big is the current garage? You said small, but does that mean it’s only one-car?

Op here - yes small one car garage. We can’t even fit our car in there anymore (filled with bikes, etc). But we once upon a time could fit a small sedan or small suv

If the garage is not functional then I would lean towards converting. Todays car are bigger and a 60s sized one car garage isnt going to cut it anymore.

The most popular-selling vehicle in the United States from 1960 to 1970 was the Chevrolet Impala sedan, measuring in at 210.8 inches long.

The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, considered a large SUV, is also 210 inches long.

OP, the other thing to keep in mind is that, with increased market share of EVs, garages are going to become even more important, not less. And there is better/faster charging inside the garage, where it's a little warmer. Outside charging is slower and less efficient.

+1 the 60s garages aren’t the problem, it’s the ones from the 40s and earlier.

[Anonymous]

As long as you can fit a big shed to put bikes etc, then no garage is fine.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have similar requirements that you listed - extra bedroom, office, workout space and gosh I’d like garage space. We decided the optimal solution FOR US (none of you crazy dcumers) is to incorporate a walkout basement under the garage for our workout area. We’d still have the bedroom/office above the garage but will have a light filled stairwell connecting the levels. Also doing kitchen rough in above garage for future ADU conversion if we want. We’re in Arlington. There are some extra requirements we have to incorporate for ADU like separate utilities or at least access to it.

TL/DR: Build a garage basement! Building underground is becoming more and more popular as close in land gets expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of close-in neighborhoods with limited space that do not have usable garages. It's annoying because it reduces the life of vehicles, but it's common enough that buyers looking in those neighborhoods accept this disadvantage.

The worlds longest running car at 3 million miles the 1967 Volvo was owned by a man who did not garage it. Still has original paint. Maint is key. Not being indoors.

[Anonymous]

If in your immediate neighborhood, more than 50% of homes have garages, then don't get rid of it. If less than 50% don't have one, fine to ditch.

Not having a garage when your peer homes do is a problem. Even if you don't personally use it, because you've filled it with too much stuff. Which tells me that you in fact do use it and need it - just not for cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big is the current garage? You said small, but does that mean it’s only one-car?

Op here - yes small one car garage. We can’t even fit our car in there anymore (filled with bikes, etc). But we once upon a time could fit a small sedan or small suv

Losing a small one car garage for more space isn't going to be an issue unless it's an extreme buyer's market. You may not sell for the same price as a 4000 sq ft house with a two car garage, but you already weren't going to be able to do that anyway.