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would you add a garage to this house for sale?

We renovated an old 1910 house, from the ground up. UPSIDE to this house. It has 3 nice size bedrooms, and 3 full baths. A laundry area. large sunroom. the kitchen has light maple cabinets, with glass, and old-fashioned look to it. The house in itself is extreamly cute and cozy. It has a rap-around porch, and deck upstairs, and flagestone patiio outside, along with beautiful landscaping. THE DOWNSIDE. We have not upgraded the gargae, it is a single 1910 detaced garage. This house is located in a small town, 30 miles from a large city. We've had this house on the market for 7 months with many lookers. One wants to buy it, but cannot sell his home to buy ours. Another wants us to lower the price, we have already lowered it $20,000. QUESTION is: My husband and sons want to tear down the old garage and shed and build a new one. I think it will be a waste of money.\ WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Our realtor has told us that a garage is the biggest complaint, yet she says that we should not add one, as the house itself is adorable enough to buy for the one that wants it. * but she's a woman...ha, men like the garage. Our sons builds and sells homes in another state, thus says...it needs a garage also. The house is done by skilled carpenters, we did only the runt jobs. Every thing is nutural, not mixed with moderen and old. We kept the house very traditional. Both my husband and I are decorators, so we know that area very well. We have taken out and packed all unused and personal decorations and extra furniture and clothing and put them in storage.

Public Comments

  1. Did your agent tell you that buyers are turned off by the garage? Your agent should be following up with buyer’s agents for feedback after showings. If you haven’t heard any complaints about the garage, leave it. Or you could ask your agent if the garage adds enough value to be worth its cost.
  2. I think Building a garage is a great idea and it is a big seller item for most houses.It makes the house worth more money,you say you dropped it 20,000 well with a new garage you can up the price.
  3. If you have had lots of lookers, but no serious offers, you should sit down with your realtor. Especially if he/she has personally shown the home, they have gotten feedback about things that you haven't considered. The lack of an updated garage shouldn't be a dealbreaker, if the price is right for the home. Consider: Color choices - are they neutral (inside and out)? Appropriate fixtures - the whole house feels like it's from the same era -- either ALL antique/turn of the century, or ALL modern -- not a mix of both. Personality -- can you see the personality of the house, or is it covered by YOUR personality? (Remove more personal items, clutter, etc.) The goal is to make it look like 'anyone' could live there. Systems - although you renovated, you didn't mention who did the work. Are the updates of high quality, or do they look like a handy-man completed them? (Be objective!) Are all the systems (air, heat, plumbing, electric, phone) and structure (roof, porch, siding, windows, pavement) all in the best possible shape? Space - are the closets, cupboards, pantry, garage, and other storage areas as empty as possible? Older homes rarely have the closet space of newer ones -- so making your closets look as large as possible is critical.
  4. Do NOT tear down the garage and the shed. I have been in this field for a long time 20+ years...mortgages, real estate, etc. Keep it as original as possible. You must understand that there is a buyer out there. Quit lowering your price. Since I do not know the location and all the specifics, room sizes, lot size etc. I cannot comment on the price. However, a lot of times INCREASING the price brings in a better caliber of buyers, i.e. more money to spend quicker, nothing to sell first etc. If you had the monet to fix it up, I am sure you can afford to sit on it until the right buyer comes along. A few things: one try raising the price $=$50,000.00 - You want bargaining room when someone makes an offer. You don't want your asking price to be what you need or want. Have an open house....coffee and cookies and advertise it. Find a local "hungry" mortgage broker to put a sign in your yard, financing provided by"" 100% financing. Have him/her there the day of the open house.... Make sure there is lots of "curb appeal" i.e. flowers etc. make it look welcoming. Do not tear down the garage...you will never recoup the money for tearing it down and rebuilding...... Good luck
  5. If you house looks new after you renovated it, I would add a new garage or renovate your old one.
  6. I want your house!!!!