Front-entry Garage vs. Side-entry Garage = Home Resale?

Question

Am building a new house and have to decide between putting a 3 car garage on the front of the house (visible from the street) where I will pull directly into the space or on the side of the house (not visible from the street) where I will turn into the space. I have a large lot, so turning radius isn't a problem.

Does garage location affect home resale? I'm looking for quantifiable evidence - i.e. articles, research, etc.

Answer 1

We have built many homes over the years. In working with the builder's choices and available lots, a side turn was and is always the recommendation. Curb appeal makes such a difference. The side turn gives the home a larger and more finished appearance. In one of the area's we built a home, a side turn garage tagged you into a higher class and quality home. Your decision, but I would never choose a front entry.

Answer 2

I don't have any quantifiable evidence but let's put it this way,,,how many 3 car garages do you typically see that face the street vs how many are side entrance? Just take a look through your neighborhood or ones with homes of similar value to yours and I think you'll have your answer.

In my area you almost never see a front facing 3 car garage unless it was an add-on after the fact or the lot was too small to make a side entrance work.

As for resale value, it probably wouldn't make too much difference in the price of your home but I'd be willing to bet that a front facing 3 car garage would have a negative impact on the amount of showings and potential offers. Three doors will just dominate the front of your house which would not only take away from curb appeal but probably make your house appear smaller. If that's the case, you may have to ask for a lower price to gain interest.

Answer 3

There are so many people in my neighborhood that park their car on the curb by their house instead of their garage or driveway. Why? Because they stuff their garages with useless old stuff, so its basically a storage, and the driveway is used as an area for their kids to play basketball, so you get this accumulation of cars parking in the street by the curb, which equals a difficult time to drive through the street.

Answer 4

Personally, I prefer side entry garages. Nothing like curb appeal for resale. I dislike homes that scream "welcome to my garage!" where the garage is the most prominent feature of the house. I would definitely go with a side entry.

Answer 5

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