Detached Versus Attached Garage (renting, insurance, townhouse)

[DLK]

We've never had a garage at all in our adult life as homeowners. Our cars were always 20 steps away in the parking lot right outside our front door.

We are currently interested in a detached garage new construction in a community that offers both, neo and traditional style homes. I keep hearing (thanks Mom) how attached garage has more appeal. It's placing doubt in my head. The house with the attached garage is very vanilla where as the house with the detached really 'pops' for us.

I'd like to hear more from people who know from experience their likes and dislikes regarding garages and resale values.

[*CountryGirl*]

I was so excited when we moved into a house that had a garage. Unfortunately, for now, it is being used for storage and our cars have never been parked in it. Having a garage is a plus for resale.

Whether attached or detached would be a preference of how you would be utilizing it. For us detached would have been fine as we are using it for storage. Without it we would have another expense in renting storage space.

[PenguinSix]

I think a detached garage slightly lowers your insurance bill, as the chemicals and gasoline and other things that go 'boom' are farther away from your main dwelling.

That said, there is something very satisfying about arriving home from a grocery store run while it is raining and being able to unload directly into the house without getting wet.

[Jaded]

Definitely go for the attached! Mom is right.

[koofie]

From your description, I'd go with the "popping" house. There are pros and cons for attached vs detached garages, and while I think you'll be happy with either, the grass is always greener. I'd pick the HOUSE that you like best, no matter the garage type.

GL

[daveswife]

it's your personal preference
if you are going to be able to actually park in it...
it's great to not get wet
from grocery shopping
but then again when it is attached and
a mouse gets in...and then you open the door to the kitchen...
which is why I now own kitties!

[K-Bear]

Originally Posted by koofie

From your description, I'd go with the "popping" house. There are pros and cons for attached vs detached garages, and while I think you'll be happy with either, the grass is always greener. I'd pick the HOUSE that you like best, no matter the garage type.

GL

Ditto.

Our first home was a townhouse with an attached garage. Having the attached garage was so great - no need to worry about getting wet when coming home during rain/snow/bad weather, more convenient when you have kids, etc.

Then our second daughter was born and we needed to move to a bigger house. Found a house that we loved - the space was wonderful for our family. But it had the detached garage. Even though I find attached garages to be much more convenient, the detached garage was not enough of a deal breaker for us since we loved the house so much.

We bought the house (it's so great for us!) and dealing with the detached garage. It's not as bad as I would have thought!

If you like the detached garage's house better, go for it. After all, you live in the house not the garage.

[ESFP]

These are all good comments. I'd agree that you may want to check with your insurance company, as an attached is usually more. However, someday you will sell, and an attached may sell faster, and have given you years of better convience, that it would offset the extra insurance amount.