You may not think of your garage as adding value to your home since it’s not living space, but it can help. Adding a garage adds storage space, which is of high value to many buyers. Where your home is located and the type of garage you add will determine how much value it adds to your home, but know that you’ll see some type of return on your investment.
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Why Garages Matter
You still may be wondering why a garage would add value. Let’s look at it from the buyer’s point of view. Garages can:
- Provide storage space for your vehicle
- Provide storage space for items you don’t need on a regular basis
- Great place to conduct hobbies, like woodworking or mechanics
- Serve as a ‘man cave’
The uses for the garage are literally endless. There isn’t a specific use you must use it for in order for it to affect your home’s value. Just having a garage will help increase it.
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The Type of Garage Matters
There are two types of garages you can choose – attached or detached. Typically, attached garages provide the most value. This is mostly for convenience purposes. Detached garages are harder to access, especially in areas of bad weather, but that’s not to say that they won’t add any value to your home, because they do.
Believe it or not, attached garages cost less to construct. If your property isn’t set up to accept an attached garage, however, a detached garage can add value. This is especially true if detached garages are the ‘norm’ for the area.
The Style Matters
Even though it may be tempting to construct a garage that looks nothing like your own, but suits your personal preference, you may not see the increase in value that you desire. Homebuyers love a uniform look. Choosing to make the garage look just like the rest of the home will keep your neighbors happy and your home value up.
How Much Do Garages Increase a Home’s Value?
How much of a return on your investment you’ll see when adding a garage depends on the area. Do you live in an area where parking is a hot commodity? Maybe it’s hard to find street parking in your neighborhood. If that’s the case, a garage will add incredible value. If you live in an area where garages aren’t the ‘norm,’ though, you may not see as large of an improvement in the home’s value.
If you already have a garage, but it’s in less than optimal condition, renovating it can greatly increase your home’s value. A large part of your home’s value has to do with its curb appeal. Since the garage is one of the first things people see on your home, an ill-fitting garage could really hamper your home’s value.
On average, homeowners see between a 75% and 80% return on their investment when adding or renovating a garage. Before you decide to do so, talk with a local appraiser to see how a garage will affect your home’s value. If you won’t see that much of an improvement, you may want to find other ways to fix up your home to improve its value.