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Answers (3)
- Pat Pribisko, "Pat Pribisko"
- Contributions:1426
I agree with Peter. A garage conversion normally adversely affects the market value of a home & limits the number of potential buyers. You didn't mention whether your home has a basement or is on a slab. I'm assuming you don't have a basement, so you are thinking of cost effective ways to find more room for your family. In the end, you may decide to do what is best & most economical for your family right now. If that's the case, I'd vote for keeping one garage.
- Dave_n_Fla
- Contributions:2
Garage conversions are probably the best bang for the buck to increase usable family space. To often we restrict changing our homes because of resale possibility while forgetting the daily challenges of raisng our families. Homes should be lived in and enjoyed, not looked at as an investment in "possible" dollors but rather as an investment in living. We don't need to make a profit on everything.
I did a coversion 15 years ago (4 kiddies) which added 400 sq. ft.., started as a family room and latter became the "oldest" son's apartment. Now it has become a guest room/family room when "visitors" need a place to stay.
I rasied the garage floor to the existing living level with pressure treated lumber, removed the garage door, framed the opening, added windows, added an entry from the existing living area (previous entry was thru the utility room), enclosed the water heater and air handler, and moved my attic access ladder to the utility room. I did the work myself. The most expensive component were the windows, the most time consuming was moving the attic stairs.
If you ever re-converted back to garage space, it will cost less than the conversion... assuming you keep the garage door.
I did a coversion 15 years ago (4 kiddies) which added 400 sq. ft.., started as a family room and latter became the "oldest" son's apartment. Now it has become a guest room/family room when "visitors" need a place to stay.
I rasied the garage floor to the existing living level with pressure treated lumber, removed the garage door, framed the opening, added windows, added an entry from the existing living area (previous entry was thru the utility room), enclosed the water heater and air handler, and moved my attic access ladder to the utility room. I did the work myself. The most expensive component were the windows, the most time consuming was moving the attic stairs.
If you ever re-converted back to garage space, it will cost less than the conversion... assuming you keep the garage door.
- Peter Kedzior, "CyberRealtor"
- Contributions:194
Hi, I believe that having a 2-car garage is a benefit more people can appreciate. Remember - extra playroom would be only a benefit for people with kids. All others would probably prefer a 2-car garage instead. A lot of people park only one car and use the remaining space as extra storage. Last but not least - should you ever consider selling your house, having a larger garage (than most of the competition) would surely help you sell it quicker if not for more money!
Garage Conversion's impact on home value?
We are looking to buy a property on a quiet street in Elk Grove. The house has a two car attached garage- most of the surrounding homes have one car garages. We would like to add living space to the home (a playroom), and converting the garage seemed like an easy way to do so. The house has a large yard with two sheds to make up for lost storage, plus parking for two more cars in the driveway. We only have one car.
So here's where we need advice. Does a garage conversion add or detract from a home's resale value in this area? Should we convert just one half of the garage, leaving one indoor parking space? Lastly, should we keep the conversion simple and easily reversed for future owners?
Any and all advice would be so welcome!!!!
Thanks!
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