What type of Garage do you prefer?
I will never forget a conversation between my Mom and my husband when we first started house hunting. We were discussing our “Priorities” for a home and he mentioned a detached garage. My mom was shocked that someone would prefer a garage not connected to the house. Truthfully, there are pros and cons to both.
The Pros of an Attached Garage
- Convenient and easy access from the house, especially in bad weather
- Easy to run electricity or water from the house to the garage
- Less distance from house helps those with mobility issues
- Safer access for children entering cars
Attached Garage – The Cons
- Security issues – if someone can open your garage door they can often access your house too
- Potential for harmful exposure to carbon monoxide or stored pesticides entering your house
- Garage-centric look of the house
- If you use the garage as a work space, the noise & fumes may carry into the house
The Pros of a Detached Garage
- Safety – Potentially harmful chemicals are not as close to your house
- The house is the focus and not the garage
- More possibilities to expand
- The noise of working in the garage will not travel into the house
Detached Garage – The Cons
- If you use it for your cars, it’s not really fun running in the rain or snow to access your vehicles
- Depending on the distance to the home, carrying things back and forth can be a hassle
- In urban/suburban areas it may decrease value to a home
In most urban and suburban areas, an attached garage is thought to add value and many home buyers will pay premium for an attached garage. The convenience is undeniable.
In some unincorporated areas and more rural areas, detached garages are more commonplace and do not lower the value of a home. They may be preferred by people who want to use them as more than just car storage.
The Real Question: Is Garage Type a Priority to you?
Let’s talk about what you need in a home. Everyone’s priorities are different, but important. Not sure of your priorities? Check out my previous blog, House Hunting: Make a Priority List (even if you ignore it later)