Everyone wants their home to have that WOW factor when they’re getting ready to list – something that sets their house apart, especially in a subdivision or an area where many homes may look similar and have similar stats. We may be biased, coming from the design and remodeling side, but we’ve seen some incredible transformations! If you’re looking for something to give you an edge over the competition, keep reading for three great ways to make your garage a selling point for your home.
#1. Convert it to living space
Converting your garage is one of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to add usable space to your home – and with increased square footage comes a higher value on the open market.
Is there something missing from your home currently, or a pain point you can address with a remodel? Some of our favorite garage conversions include:
- Creating a home gym or media room
- Converting it into a bedroom
- Installing a playroom or gaming area
- Making it a home office
- Turning it into a workshop or art room
When you convert your garage into a usable space, it adds to the square footage of your home overall. Changes like this can boost your property’s resale value and give you more space for the things you love. Keep in mind, though, that removing the indoor parking may impact the group of buyers interested in the house; make sure there’s enough parking elsewhere on the property, and remind anyone interested that they can always add a carport or a new garage later.
#2. Add a second floor above it
Another fantastic way to make your garage a selling point is to extend it! Adding a second floor above your garage will boost square footage and can add value to your home.
According to House Digest USA, building an addition to your home (like adding a second floor to a garage) can add as much as $30-100k to the value of your property, depending on the other variables involved.
Installing a second floor can also have a tremendous impact on your home’s curb appeal, especially if it has a boring, flat, or generic front facade. You can extend the area to add a dormer or two, a half-story, or even a full story, any of which can be aesthetically pleasing as well as practical.
All these options can make your garage more valuable, as they provide an extra bedroom, bathroom, or storage area. They also make your garage an integral part of your property’s structure, rather than a loose extra on the side!
#3. Make the space more intentional
Finally, another brilliant way to make your garage a selling point is to simply make it a more intentional and aesthetically pleasing space to be in.
To make your garage more intentional, you can:
- Install built-in benches to create a workshop
- Add or enlarge windows to make the space brighter
- Change the garage door to a sliding, carriage, or modern style door to instantly up the curb appeal
- Create an intentional, useable shelving unit to extend the home’s storage
- Refresh and re-level the flooring to make it feel cleaner, neater, and part of the home, rather than an afterthought
- Upgrade the ceiling joists and access stairs to create more functional storage areas
- Add insulation and HVAC to make your garage comfortably useable year-round
This option is perfect if you’re looking for a budget-friendly remodel idea, or if a large-scale remodel isn’t in the cards for you right now.
Where to start with planning a garage remodel
Whether you’re looking for a home value increase for a short-term sale, planning for the long term, or just trying to love your home a little more, utilizing your existing space is a fantastic way to make your garage a selling point for your home. Garage remodels can be simple projects you can DIY on a rainy weekend, or they can be large-scale renovations that transform your home.
Taking the first step toward planning your remodel can seem like the hardest part, but it’s less daunting when you break it down into a few easy stages, and then find a great team to help you put the rest of the pieces in place.
Remember! You may need a building permit to legally remodel your garage at home, depending on your jurisdiction and the garage project you have in mind. A good designer can help ensure your new garage is legal and meets local area building codes. Contact us today and we can help you understand what might be needed for your project!
