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Old 03-04-2014, 09:38 AM
 
4 posts, read 4,886 times
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I own a house built in 1948. It has an open garage-basement-no wall between them. It coincidentally has what is considered a "pittsburgh bathroom", too- it has no walls. We plan on moving and selling the house in the next year. In order to have the house to code, a wall will have to be put between the basement and the garage. It's been suggested that it would be cheaper and easier to remove the garage door, replace it with wall and an outside door. It would increase the basement size, because it is small. But I don't want to the house to lose value. A house with a garage is probably easier to sell too?

I'm really wondering which way is better to sell and does anyone know if it will cause the house to lose value? Thanks in advance!
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Old 03-04-2014, 09:43 AM
 
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Are you sure this is something you have to do in order to sell the house? Is it required for an FHA loan? Even if it is, you might find a buyer who isn't using an FHA loan.

Also, how would it be cheaper to remove a garage door and install an exterior wall and door? Seems like it would be cheaper to just frame in an interior wall.

What area are you in? The importance of a garage varies by neighborhood. Do most of the neighbors have garages?
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Old 03-04-2014, 09:43 AM
 
Location: southwestern PA
22,592 posts, read 47,680,585 times
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I would think that an interior wall would be easier/cheaper than the alternative.
What was the difference when you priced it out?

How easy is street parking?
Garages are prized in most of the Pittsburgh area; I would not remove it.
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Old 03-04-2014, 09:53 AM
 
Location: Pittsburgh
6,782 posts, read 9,597,150 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pittsburgh gramma View Post
In order to have the house to code, a wall will have to be put between the basement and the garage.
What's between the basement and the rest of the house now? Is that ceiling finished with drywall and the door an exterior door? Call me old fashioned, but I like a good barrier between where I sleep and anything involving gasoline.
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Old 03-04-2014, 10:11 AM
 
Location: Kittanning
4,692 posts, read 9,037,720 times
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Keep the garage, if possible.
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Old 03-04-2014, 10:23 AM
 
Location: Pittsburgh
29,747 posts, read 34,396,829 times
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I'd think that if the house has a driveway turning the garage into a room wouldn't matter so much. As a city resident, off-street parking is enough of a selling point.
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Old 03-04-2014, 10:59 AM
 
Location: Mid-Atlantic
12,526 posts, read 17,549,480 times
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Keep the garage.
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Old 03-04-2014, 01:20 PM
 
Location: Western PA
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I'd keep the garage. There are a lot of people who may not consider the house without one.
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Old 03-09-2014, 11:11 AM
 
4 posts, read 4,886 times
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Default Pittsburgh gramma

There is no on street parking, there simply isn't any space. We have 3 spaces in our driveway. A few neighbors have garages. I think keeping the garage might be the best way to go. We don't use it now, it needs a ceiling too.
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Old 03-09-2014, 06:13 PM
gg
 
Location: Pittsburgh
26,137 posts, read 25,983,158 times
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Keep the garage. They are VERY valuable. Probably will need it to be up to fire code. Keep that in mind.
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