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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Oops—hit submit too soon. This is PP above. Anyone who views a garage as a must have is probably going to be looking for 2-car garages anyway. Make sure you have a large storage shed for bikes, etc.

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).

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.

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

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

Anonymous wrote: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.

This. Plus couldn’t you just plug in a space heater and work out in the garage as is?

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.)

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?

Nope. I need at least one car garage or I’m not bothering.

Yes, if we liked everything else about it.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Can u fit a shed?

Where do people put bikes, kayaks, tools?

Op - yes we have a shed in the backyard to fit bikes, tools, etc. lot is around 0.30 acres.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need 5 bedrooms and an office? How old are the kids? How many people live there?

Op here - we have 3 young kids who are 8 years old and under (only 4.5 years between oldest and youngest). So all the kids will be living at home for their teen years together. DH and I both work from home the majority of time so need dedicated office spaces. And we have a lot of out of town guests since our families aren’t from here.

It sounds like suburban living would better suit your family's needs.

Op - we do live in the suburbs. We don’t live in DC.