How important is having a garage?

Author: Dr. Earl Harber  |  Last update: Friday, October 17, 2025

Absolutely, having a garage is often worth the investment. Beyond the financial benefits, there are practical advantages like additional storage, protection for your vehicle, and even potential as a flex space. If you already have a garage, simple upgrades like a new door can offer a high return on investment.

Is it okay to not have a garage?

Having a garage will nearly always help you sell more quickly and likely at a higher value than a home without one. The bottom line, buying a home with a garage won't hurt your investment plans (unless it's a mess and falling down!) and will likely help you sell with a higher future value.

Is it important to have a garage?

Garages protect your vehicle from weather safety hazards such as hail and heavy winds. It also protects you from these dangers because you will enter your home right from the garage instead of walking outside. Furthermore, vehicles parked on the street and in a driveway are at a greater risk of being burglarized.

Is it worth keeping a garage?

They can be great for storage, help you to keep your car safe and even lower your car insurance premiums. But depending on your setup, removing your garage could also help you to gain other benefits – whether that's to do with increasing the size of your garden or gaining more living space.

Is getting a garage worth it?

Enhanced Property Value: A well-finished garage can increase your home's resale value. Potential buyers may appreciate the extra livable space. Improved Aesthetics: A finished garage can look more appealing and organized, contributing to the overall appearance of your home.

Building Your Dream Garage: 9 Important Things to Consider

What are the disadvantages of having a garage?

Disadvantages of a garage:
  • A lot of space and money needed: The crucial requirement is that you have the necessary space on your property – especially if you are thinking of building a double garage. ...
  • Consent required: All garages require planning consent. ...
  • Risk of damp: Many garages have no heating and poor ventilation.

Does garage affect home value?

A garage can add between 5% to 20% to a home's value, depending on factors such as location, design and the existing housing market. This increase can be especially significant in suburban areas where parking space is a premium.

Do houses without garages sell?

Without a doubt, a garage is a feature that many prospective home buyers want, but not having one doesn't mean your sale will fail.

How much should I spend on a garage?

On average, building an unfinished garage can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000, depending on the aforementioned factors. Remodeling a garage, on the other hand, can range from $5,000 to $10,000. These prices may seem daunting, but fear not!

Is it worth converting a garage to living space?

Does Converting a Garage Add Value to Your Home? As long as you complete your garage conversion properly, it will add value to your home. The value itself depends on how seamless the conversion is and the type of room you build. Typically, you can expect to recoup about 80% of the project cost.

What is the point of a garage?

A garage protects a vehicle from precipitation, and, if it is equipped with a locking garage door, it also protects the vehicle(s) from theft and vandalism. Most garages also serve multifunction duty as workshops for a variety of projects, including painting, woodworking, and assembly.

Are garages worth buying?

Garages and parking spaces are in higher demand than ever before, so having – or adding – one attached to your property can significantly increase its value should you choose to sell.

Should I add a garage to my house?

A garage is a highly sought-after feature in a home. Not only does it increase the value of your property, but it provides practical benefits as well. If you have one or more vehicles, an attached garage can provide a secure space to keep them protected.

Is a garage a necessity?

A garage is a key part of many homes. Providing storage space for cars, gardening supplies, tools, sports equipment, bikes and more, the right garage can be an essential part of a home. But garages are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Is it bad to buy a house without a garage?

So, really, don't worry, you'll be able to find that dream buyer when the time comes, no matter what choice you make. After all, people owned your home before you bought it, and you found your way there. “Not having a garage is never an issue if the home is priced appropriately,” says Vander Stelt.

How to live without a garage?

Home Storage Hack #1: Use a Shed

This option is one of the more common to choose when living without a garage. You can find sheds of different sizes and price points. They help to store, organize and contain all of the extra tools, landscaping equipment, recyclables and anything else you don't want in the house.

How much value will a garage add?

A garage can increase the value of your property by between 5% and 10%, according to recent research. However, this only holds true for single garages; a double garage might increase the value by up to 20%!

What is worth more a bedroom or a garage?

If you're looking to maximize your home's value, consider converting your garage into a livable space. Adding a bedroom, home office, or even a rental unit can significantly boost your home's market value. While this is a more substantial investment, the payoff can be substantial.

What percent of houses have a garage?

According to the data, the best situation is in the Pacific region (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington), where the share is 80%.

Are empty houses harder to sell?

Is It Easier to Sell Empty Homes? In short, emptying your home can make it easier to sell rather than leaving it as it is. However, staged houses may attract higher offers and decrease the time the house sits on the market. The reason is that potential buyers need to be able to visualize themselves living there.

Can you rent a house but not the garage?

You can set whatever conditions you want, within reasonable limits, as long as you make it clear in the lease. If it is clear in the lease that these areas are not for tenant use and the tenants agree to the lease, then yes you can do it.

Does not having a garage devalue your house?

No. But it does affect your pool of buyers. 85% of home buyers regard garage storage as essential. And so homes without a garage might have less demand.

Is adding a garage a good investment?

Typically, the ROI of a garage addition is sixty-four to eighty-one percent, adding an estimated $20,000 to $35,000 to your home's value.

Does a garage count as a room in a house?

A detached garage doesn't count as living space. An attached garage may count as living space if it meets specific requirements. Converting your garage to a livable space may increase your home's value.

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