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Do Garages Sell Homes?

By
Real Estate Agent with Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd.

 

Many people ask me when I am listing their homes if their garages are important in the sale of their home!  My answer is always - YES!  

 

When preparing to sell a home, the garage is one of the most forgotten rooms in the house. By nature, garages are places where we store many things that we don’t want or need in the house. They are also places where oil and gas are spilled due to cars, lawn mowers, etc. Garages also tend to store toys, mementos and many other items that at one time we thought were vitally important to us. Then, when we go through them, we wonder why in the world we thought they were important in the first place.

 

Well, as you can guess, all those boxes, stains, smells, unorganized tools, etc., can add up to an unsightly mess in the eyes of potential buyers.  So, that means, it’s time for a clean up. And just as important, a rigorous reorganization of the garage to make it shine in the eyes of the buyer. So here are a few steps to help eat that elephant one bite at a time:

 

1.  -          First, go through all those boxes in the garage and sort the items. Be ruthless! Toss out anything that no longer has any use or meaning. Even better, donate items that are still useful to your favorite charity. It feels great and makes somebody else happy at the same time. Plus, you can claim a tax deduction. By cleaning out the clutter, it will be easier to take the next step.

 

2.  -          Second, clean the garage as thoroughly as possible. Get rid of the dust and dirt wherever you find it. If you have minor oil or gas stains on the floor, try pressure washing. However, if they are larger or they’ve been longstanding, then you’ll need to find a more thorough cleanser. Even better, painting the floor creates a clean, pristine appearance, showing that you care.

 

3.  -          Third, consider a garage organization system. Usually the cheapest options consist of storage bins and wall hooks. But if you want to spend the money, there are also some available with wall panels and flooring. Depending on your needs, an organization system can range from approximately $40 to thousands of dollars. So simply google “garage organization systems” and you’ll find plenty of links to companies selling these products. Whatever system you choose, it will definitely give your garage a clean and organized look. 

 

I can’t stress how impressive it is to potential buyers to have a well-organized garage. This tells them that you’re a person who really takes care of every detail of your home and property. And that, in turn, let’s them know that buying your home will be a great investment on their part and well worth the asking price. Garages sell homes? Well, not actually, but they make a big statement about a home and the homeowner who is trying to sell. It's worth the effort!

 

 

Posted by

Joy

Joy Daniels, GRI, ABR, CSP, e-PRO
JOY DANIELS REAL ESTATE GROUP, LTD
2793 Old Post Road, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA  17110

(717) 695-3177  office - Call TODAY and let me help you find your dream home!

www.joydaniels.com

Joy@JoyDaniels.com - Email TODAY and let me help you find your dream home!

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Comments (33)

Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552

Garages are as important as closets - cluttered ones have the potential to turn buyers off.

Sep 30, 2016 11:18 PM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

I would say "YES".  Although, I have never parked my car in my garage with the exception of the hurricanes over a decade ago.  They, in most cases, will also be used as storage and just like a house, if the place is cluttered it is difficult to see the potential. 

Sep 30, 2016 11:19 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

It has to look like it can be used. That means clean & orderly. Good posting here

Sep 30, 2016 11:29 PM
Diana White-Pettis
Bennett Realty Solutions - Upper Marlboro, MD
GRI, CDPE, CNE, WHC Upper Marlboro Homes for Sale

Yes, I think detached garages are very important.  The more organized and decluttered they are, the better.  Great post!

Oct 01, 2016 12:13 AM
Stephen Arnold
HomeSmart Elite Group - Scottsdale, AZ
CRS, GRI, SFR

Absolutely...but I have seen homes that architecturally just work with a carport. Storage ability and safety are both important factors 

Oct 01, 2016 12:51 AM
Joy Daniels

In Arizona that might be the case - but in COLD PA we need an enclosed space!  Thanks for followng me!

Oct 01, 2016 07:17 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Garages are absolutely important.  In Az there are few homes with basements so unfortunately many of us use garage space for storage.  But as I tell my sellers, the home you live in isn't the home you put on the market.  Garages need to be clean and organized.  Many of our garages here have built in cabinets and a garage filled with "stuff" hide the garages.  Also like closets and cabinets that are over flowing, over stuffed garages scream that the home doesn't have enough storage.  

Oct 01, 2016 01:10 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

In CA there is no basement for storage. Garage is often used for storage and men have their toys stored. A larger garage area sells the home. An uncluttered garage makes home inspector to work harder to earn his profession.

Image result for 6 car garage

Oct 01, 2016 01:11 AM
Joy Daniels

Fun pictures - thanks for sharing!  :)

Oct 01, 2016 07:12 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Joy

A garage is typically a big deal and on everyone's list. Lots of people here use them for storage because there aren't basements and attics. And with out weather they aren't as important for protection in the winter. But as you note they tend to be the most neglected "room" in the house, and when people are preparing to move the garage becomes the storage unit. But then some are amazing.

Jeff

Oct 01, 2016 01:30 AM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Well said Joy!   I live in an area that gets a bunch of hail storms in the summer and snow in the winter.  So, garages can be a great selling point.  The garage needs to be neat enough so people can see if their truck or other vehicles can fit in it.  It also needs to be neat enough that buyers are able to consider how they would use that space.  

 

Oct 01, 2016 04:49 AM
Joy Daniels

AMEN!

Oct 01, 2016 07:13 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

There is a man here whose whole business is cleaning out and organizing garages.  So yes, they are extremely important, particularly when clean.

Oct 01, 2016 06:40 AM
April Swenson
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers - Ocean Shores, WA
CRS and Managing Broker - Ocean Shores Real Estate

Yes! I agree with you! Here's a funny story...a colleague wrote up an Offer on an Ocean front large home and the garage was packed floor to ceiling, wall to wall. So, she wrote in the contract that the Seller had to create "access paths" in the garage. It was a definite drawback.

Oct 01, 2016 09:00 AM
James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

Garages are of extreme importance in Southwest Florida since we don't have basements. I call them the man caves of the South and guys especially pay attention to them.

Interesting blog post Joy.

Oct 01, 2016 09:31 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Absolutely!!!

I can’t stress how impressive it is to potential buyers to have a well-organized garage. This tells them that you’re a person who really takes care of every detail of your home and property.

Oct 01, 2016 11:54 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

It is always such a pleasant surprise when the garage door is opened and it is neat as a pin, finished walls and painted. It works!

Oct 01, 2016 12:49 PM
Joy Daniels

You make a very good point Evelyn Johnston - it really enhances the perception of of the buyer and that's the goal - right!?! 

Oct 01, 2016 11:43 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Garages are important to Dallas home buyers. Basements are rare, so homeowners see garages as increased storage space.  They appear larger when they are well organized or empty.  Clean is essential.

Oct 01, 2016 06:37 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

In rural areas with lots of snow, you bet garages are important in the real estate sale. Big barns for working equipment need cover and protection. Remember a real estate broker who had a site about garages for sale with attached homes, houses. He pushed the idea of larger garages for hobbies, the interests of the life of the owner from classic cars to wood working shops, etc.Tidy like the house is a must and de-clutter, organize whatever the structure involved in the real estate sale  Joy Daniels .

Oct 01, 2016 07:41 PM
Joy Daniels

Great advice Andrew Mooers - any outdoor structure should be organized, not just garages!

Oct 01, 2016 11:42 PM
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Great question Joy. And I think the photos you posted provide the perfect answer.

Oct 02, 2016 01:15 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Yes, I agree. If 2 similar homes are for sale, the one with the garage always sells first!

Oct 02, 2016 11:15 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I don't know about organization tips but the garage is important in our area because of the snow & bad weather. Most people use it as a storage shed which is a shame.

Oct 07, 2016 06:39 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

To start it is better to have one versus not have one, but so many people declutter their homes by loading up the garage. I would prefer they get a POD.

Oct 30, 2016 07:38 AM