Why so many carports?

[Anonymous]

We have five bikes and were thrilled to find a house where they had converted the carport to a garage. I was surprised when it was appraised that the garage only added $15k in value. Besides the bikes, I love having it with little kids. Plus it hides our garbage cans and all that messy stuff. Someone is currently converting one in our neighborhood and had to Apply for a special variance but construction is in progress so I guess it was approved.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in New England, we had a 2-car garage. My parents always parked the cars in it. We almost never had cars in the driveway. Garage was also big enough for all the other family crap--bikes, lawn mower, etc.

Then I moved here. First house didn't even have a driveway. We parked on the street. Didn't bother me at all. Current house has a tiny narrow driveway and a tiny, narrow 1930s one-car garage. We use it as a storage shed. Happy to have it for that purpose, but a plain old shed (large) would suit just as well. We still park on the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rambler w/carport in McLean offered at $950K went under contract in about two weeks.

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1445-Waggaman-Cir-22101/home/9407086

If the location is right, carports are fine w/many buyers.

It's a trade off, not really acceptable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rambler w/carport in McLean offered at $950K went under contract in about two weeks.

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1445-Waggaman-Cir-22101/home/9407086

If the location is right, carports are fine w/many buyers.

It's a trade off, not really acceptable

Apparently it is to the people who are purchasing the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I'm surprised by these responses. Really no garages? It's actually our #1 criteria. My husband is a bicyclist and we have lots of bicycles. A garage would be a heaven send. We also have a convertible.

I'm from an area without basements and most homes had 3 garages and cars never sat out.

It can range from $18,000 - $50,000 and up to convert a carport to a garage. When the carports were built, the zoning codes were different. Now you cannot build within 10 feet of the side property line. So the carport can be converted at its current size, but cannot be expanded if it it too close to the line. Maybe that is an expense you are willing to spend. If it is, look for homes with carports and do the upgrade.

[Anonymous]

Our property is too narrow to convert the carport to a garage. If we were to enclose the carport it would be too narrow to open the doors of the car.

[Anonymous]

My wife demanded that we buy a house with a garage. I could take it or leave it since it doesn't snow too much here. But she couldn't fathom not having one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rambler w/carport in McLean offered at $950K went under contract in about two weeks.

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1445-Waggaman-Cir-22101/home/9407086

If the location is right, carports are fine w/many buyers.

It's a trade off, not really acceptable

Apparently it is to the people who are purchasing the house.

Wow that area is expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I'm from the south where there are no basements, so garages were all you had. I currently have a condo and our lack of garage is the main reason we're selling. We have absolutely no where to store our stuff and bicycles.

Here's a hint: get rid of some of your crap. This isn't the Midwest or the South, where people get 4000 sq feet for $200K and collect lots of shit that never gets thrown away.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wow old thread. We've actually been in our new home for 1.5 years already. We ended up getting a house with a 2 car garage and haven't looked back. We still would never buy a carport. Our situation might be unique though with our bikes. I just couldn't fathom bikes in my living room again. YMMV

[Anonymous]

As others said, places around here don't have garages simply because a lot of the houses are very old. Why newer builds don't have it is dumbfounding. You travel to someplace like Southern Cali, and most people have garages. I guess it's more of a "car culture" where people care about them more, not to mention the garage doubles as a utility room in many homes due to the mild weather.

But the weather here is certainly bad enough that I'd much prefer a garage than no garage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I prefer 3 car garage, 2 for cars 1 for work shop and storage

I am similar- except I prefer a 3 car garage, with 1 for cars and 2 for the work shop!

I have a large home woodshop, and moving to DC is making me sick with the lack of garages. I have never seen so many carports!!!! I found this forum because I was curious of the same thing the OP was: Is there some tax or law that made this so? Judging from what I see here, there isn't, it just sounds like there are many folks who don't value a dry, warm, safe place to store their auto investments or valuable gear. Personally, it just seems odd that crappy carports are SO ubiquitous.

Anonymous wrote:But the weather here is certainly bad enough that I'd much prefer a garage than no garage.

Indeed! I visit DC at least once a month (for the past 7 years) from St. Louis, and guess what? The weather is the SAME if not worse at times in DC- which is CERTAINLY cold enough in the winter to warrant a garage, and hot/humid enough in the summer for one too!

Glad OP asked this question so long ago, it helped me find my answer too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I'm surprised by these responses. Really no garages? It's actually our #1 criteria. My husband is a bicyclist and we have lots of bicycles. A garage would be a heaven send. We also have a convertible.

I'm from an area without basements and most homes had 3 garages and cars never sat out.

It can range from $18,000 - $50,000 and up to convert a carport to a garage. When the carports were built, the zoning codes were different. Now you cannot build within 10 feet of the side property line. So the carport can be converted at its current size, but cannot be expanded if it it too close to the line. Maybe that is an expense you are willing to spend. If it is, look for homes with carports and do the upgrade.

Is this in every jurisdiction?

[Anonymous]

Frank Lloyd Wright made carports very popular in his Usonian residential homes. His idea was to do away with junk and materialism, and to live life simply. Flat roofs (no attic) and carports (no garage) prevented you from accumulating stuff.

Jacob I House by Wright