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Garages Can Be Selling Features -Or Not!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

When selling your home, one area that often gets overlooked is the garage. Many sellers use this space as a dumping ground for unwanted items. They start packing and moving the items to the garage, but...

This is not the way to sell a home!

A clean and well-organized garage can significantly enhance the appeal for potential buyers, especially in a city like Baltimore, where the weather varies dramatically from hot summers to icy winters. Imagine entering a tidy garage that effectively showcases its primary purpose: providing ample space for vehicles, tools, and other essentials. This positive first impression highlights the garage's functionality and reflects your overall care for the property. Buyers are looking for functional spaces, and an immaculate garage signals that the home is well-maintained.  Before listing your home, invest time decluttering and sprucing up your garage. Remove unnecessary items, clean every corner, and consider a fresh coat of paint to brighten the space. A pristine garage can transform a viewer’s perception, turning a mundane area into a distinctive selling point.

Above and below is the way to sell a home!

 

Don’t let your garage become an afterthought in the selling process. A pristine garage can significantly enhance your home's appeal and value. Show potential buyers that you take pride in every aspect of your home. If you want to get your garage ready for sale, I'm here to help you.

For further tips on selling your home

Call Margaret Rome

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


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Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Margaret - while there are some who may be reluctant, I found that most serious buyers want to "see" many different aspects of a home for sale.  Messy garages, disorganized closets/cupboards, cluttered storage areas join a list of potential "red flags" when real estate decisions are in process.

A home is where you live and have loved.  A house for sale is a product that needs to be effectively marketed.  Even though I am no longer in the business, I continue to repeat the message.   I believe it's an important one. 

Dec 31, 2024 02:34 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Michael Jacobs

Please keep repeating. It is an important message!

Dec 31, 2024 12:25 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Margaret. An empty clean garage seems to always look bigger than it is. And that sparks the emotional appeal for many. DOn't miss the opportunity. Enjoy your day. 

Dec 31, 2024 04:12 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Wayne Martin

This is one of my requirements when listing a home. I occasionally encounter resistance from sellers regarding cleaning and painting the garage, but once they complete the tasks, they often wish they had done it for their own benefit.

Dec 31, 2024 12:30 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I totally agree. Here in my part of Montana, garages, sheds and workshops are all big selling points. And being able to see if the big truck will fit in the garage is a "must!"

Dec 31, 2024 05:04 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kat Palmiotti 

Another good point! It removes doubt about fitting the vehicle in the garage.

Dec 31, 2024 12:33 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, for highlighting the often-overlooked importance of a well-maintained garage in the home-selling process; your practical advice encourages sellers to invest in every space, enhancing overall property appeal. I appreciate the valuable insights you've shared, as they empower homeowners to make a lasting impression on potential buyers.

Dec 31, 2024 05:17 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Margaret... I hate it when homeowners/sellers treat their garages as an after-thought. Since we have very few basements or attics in our homes in the Charlotte area, I figure I'm ahead of the game if I can get my clients to clean up and organize their garages in a way that lets buyers see there is room for parking and storage.

Dec 31, 2024 05:33 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Nina Hollander, Broker I had to laugh.......buyers are actually looking for garages to park in? LOL

Dec 31, 2024 12:04 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Anna "Banana" Kruchten ha-ha, Anna. I can't tell you how many cars in our area never see the inside of a garage!

Dec 31, 2024 12:49 PM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

In parts of the country prone to rough weather, a garage is waaaaaay up on most buyers' list.

Dec 31, 2024 06:31 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Doug Rogers 

A good, clean garage is a great selling point almost everywhere!

Dec 31, 2024 12:59 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Oh Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 I love a crisp clean and well-organized garage. It makes my heart happy.

Living in California, I see many garages used for storage. Some look like the photo in your post. And people wonder why they have mice and rats. 

Dec 31, 2024 08:46 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

Once you begin placing items in the garage for a short time, they tend to remain there indefinitely and accumulate over time.

Dec 31, 2024 12:57 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Margaret you are writing so many great informational posts and I'm so happy about it as it will help many sellers and buyers in selling and buying a home.  Too many sellers forget the importance of a clean garage and think they can 'get away with it'.  I call that ' leaving cash on the table'!   Every guy would love our garage as Gary has his decked out snazzy workshop - which I call the his 'bourbon bar' -  Just kidding!   The guys hang out there but it's all tool talk time!  Even the gals like it out there because of course of my art collection that we store out there.   Garages can be awesome!

Dec 31, 2024 12:02 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

I would love to see your snazzy workshop, bourbon bar, and art collection. Care to share?

Dec 31, 2024 12:49 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Maybe one of these days Margaret!  We have a lot of friends coming over today to bring in the New Year and play Corn Hole!  Fun!

Jan 01, 2025 10:47 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret a garage is an area I want to see soon when I attend an Open House, and if it is cluttered with stuff, the rest of the house will not look as good to me, even if it is pristine.

Dec 31, 2024 01:19 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Margaret- I couldn't agree more with your message. Garages DO count and buyers need to SEE if a 2 car garage will actually hold 2 cars!

Dec 31, 2024 06:15 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret stopping by to wish you a very Happy and Blessed New Year.

Jan 01, 2025 02:41 PM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Margaret- I'm so glad I was able to read your post on the value of a uncluttered garage. I just met with a client tonight that wants me to list their inherited home. The house has a very cluttered 3 car garage (close to 1000 sq. ft.).  I advised him to declutter it so that potential buyers can appreciate the space and give them a feeling of what creative ways they could personally use the space (other than parking cars). Thanks for posting.

Jan 01, 2025 09:56 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Margaret,

I so agree with you! I'm closing on a listing on Monday and the home has a three car swing in garage and I asked the seller to paint the interior and he agreed! It looked so clean, fresh and SO BIG....buyers loved it!

Jan 04, 2025 05:14 AM