or would building a detached garage be a beter long term investment...
2007-01-20 09:31:31 · 5 answers · asked by mickeys12 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Living space ALWAYS increases your value. Garages can be added fairly quickly and potential buyers know that. If I were going to buy a house, the extra space would sound better to me! Go for the space....garage later!
2007-01-20 09:42:22 · answer #1 · answered by sugarbud 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is whatever it takes to make you happy. If you are going to have it done or do it just to increase the sale of the house I don't think it will bring more than a few thousand profit. On the other hand if you want to do it to improve it and make more living space for your family I might say go ahead. The problem with enclosing the whole top might be the fact you'd have to tear it open pretty much to get at water or electricity and heating whatever problems there might be. You can make a basement look fairly civilized with paint, few throw carpets that can be picked up and dumped if for some reason you want to get rid of them. What are the walls like and any possibilities of leakage? You have to consider you expenses to make the improvements and a lot depends on if you do it or hire the work done. I just went through contemplating the whole thing and was glad I didn't do it. I sold the house for less, but didn't put the expense into it I would have had. Now the price of houses dropped at least in that area.So what's right for one person may not be so for the next.
2007-01-20 17:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A finished basement will return at least 90% of the investment. Detached garages are not too popular. People like the convenience of driving inside then walking into the kitchen.
Depending on what the house looks like, and if it is out in the country, rural area or "exurbs" a detached garage with a breezeway connecting it to the house would return most of the investment.
2007-01-20 17:42:36 · answer #3 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why heck yeah! Just be careful to follow local building codes and apply for any required permits. The building officials in your municipality can steer you straight regarding inspection requirements. Many times, egress windows that allow for escape in a fire are required in rooms that can be advertised as bedrooms. I've owned homes that had rooms that were used as bedrooms that were considered 'non-qualifying' bedrooms. Often in the real estate ads, one can see descriptions like ' 2+1 bed, 2 bath ' meaning that one bedroom is non-qualifying. If you finish basement space to code and have documentation of the inspection and permit process, you can add meaningful value to your home. Often you can add more value than the cost of the improvements. In fact, many folks make darn good livings by acquiring property, making improvements (i.e. finishing basement or garage space) and then 'flipping' or selling it for a handsome profit.
2007-01-20 17:49:23 · answer #4 · answered by roofdad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No garage now? What part of the country? if no garage, build one. If you have one, finish the basement
2007-01-20 17:39:51 · answer #5 · answered by Baked n Blended 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋