No Car Garage Question ???

[notdancingqueen]

We've found a bunch of homes with no garages -- which surprises me -- but for the house I think we're going to end up buying, we're going to offer even less than we normally would and just have a garage built (using the space overhead to expand the master bedroom but that's another story...)

Yes, it increases the value of your home - I'm told between about $10-15k - but in addition, as you are finding...NOT having one may turn buyers off before they even get inside. That said, there's a buyer for every house as long as the house is priced at what the market can bear...which maybe isn't always what you'd like to sell it for. ;-) The market is stabilizing in parts of NH but not other parts...and some parts have less correction to do than others. Get a good realtor if you don't have one already and good luck!

Jackie

[Tarastomsgirl]

I'd def get a garage if you can. Not only for value but because I found it a pain in the a** to dig my car out of the snow and have to get up extra early to do it. Its one thing to totally clear the drive way and go but its another to have to dig around the car, then a path down the driveway to get out.

[dognh]

Another reason for a lack of garages in NH is the abundance of old colonial homes - built before there were cars.

Interestingly, a garage doesn't seem to have the impact that it does in a place like Florida.

the only downside of no garage is digging your car out, but after awhile that just becomes second naure

[bryfry]

Having a garage is essential for me. I have too much invested in tools, machinery, and other things not to. My ultimate goal is to find a two car garage plus a shed. Better yet, if the garage is detached with a room above. There are a lot of homes on the Cape that don't have garages as well. I think it's two things: older homes like someone said earlier and the cost at initial build. Some people just couldn't afford it from the get-go. That's why you see a few detached; they chose to build later on.

I have a one car garage, but we hardly ever use it for car parking. I will put my wifes Honda in there if I know a big storm is coming. Other than that, it pretty much stays clear except for the bikes in summer. I'm always doing some project so I need the floor space.

I do notice more houses in NH with garages than the Cape. For me, it simply is a must-have, without question. If a great house came along without one, the price would have to be low enough for me to concider it, because as soon as I sign, I'm breaking ground for a garage. Maybe then I can have my "Mantown"!!

[Boomerang]

I used to have a home with a big, beautiful, oversized 2-car garage that was used for nothing but storage. Back then I didn't care if I had to scrape ice and shovel snow off the car every snowy winter morning.

Now - especially after this winter - I'm sick of clearing the ice and snow, not to mention the pine needles, sap, and pollen.

I'm currently househunting and not even considering buying a house that doesn't have a garage. An attached garage is the best!!!

[Valerie C]

Sort of funny, when we lived in Mass we had a 1-car garage that was home to DH's "other wife" (his classic/antique car). We moved to Missouri where we had a fantastic 3-car side entry garage. Room for all 3 vehicles PLUS bikes, lawn mower, etc. Now we're back in NH, 2-car garage. One spot is permanently reserved for DH's car, and the other spot has become "the workshop" where various projects take place. On occasion, "the workshop" becomes "the mechanics bay" for oil changes, brake jobs, etc. With all the snow we've had this year, you'd think we'd have parked a car in there... nope!

And for those of you who are house-hunting, make sure your garage isn't at the bottom of a downslope driveway

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

And for those of you who are house-hunting, make sure your garage isn't at the bottom of a downslope driveway

That's the other thing I cross off my house-hunting list.
Any house that doesn't have a flat driveway!

[GraniteStater]

A lot of the ski area towns tend to have homes without garages. This appears to be more common in areas like Bartlett and Jackson in Carroll County.

[Michi_B]

A garage is definitely on my 'must-have' list, too. I don't know how much snow weight my convertible top can take, and I don't really want to find out, either!