Take a look...
The Chicago Tribune posted a story today about garages. Here are a couple of excerpts:
Home builders, remodelers and specialized garage-organization companies see that problem as an opportunity to sell you a solution. They have plenty, including more square footage and garage-themed cabinetry. You can even find a fridge specially built for the garage, so you can always have a cold drink at hand when you're working on your wheels.
Around some homes these days, the amount of space devoted to the garage is big, indeed. Three-car garages were included in 20 percent of new homes built in 2005, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Another 64 percent of new homes had two-car garages.
and
The garage on display in a Stanley Martin model home at Coles Run Manor in Manassas, Va., is packed with nearly as many fancy upgrades as the kitchen. Their "tricked out garage" option includes raised-diamond pattern rubber-like floor protectors; a work bench; storage cabinets; tool racks; slatted wall coverings that accommodate a variety of hooks and baskets for storage; ceiling-mounted bicycle hoists; and even a 20-inch, wall-mounted flat-screen TV. Buyers can choose elements a la carte or sign up for the full slate of options for $19,500.
finally
And who knew there even was such a thing as a refrigerator specially designed for the garage? Gladiator makes the Chillerator Garage Refrigerator, which is Energy Star rated for efficiency and is designed to handle the wide variations in temperature and humidity usually found in a garage.
The Freezerator, specially designed for garage use, allows you to turn the temperature in the freezer compartment down to ordinary refrigerator temperatures, to better accommodate your stockpile of beverages. Both come in an oh-so-manly diamond-plate metal finish.
See. I'm not crazy. I'm just ahead of the curve. There are a lot of us out there that appreciate a nice garage. What goes into a great space in the garage is often something that escapes the average real estate agent. Power consumption baffles them (what are those funny looking plugs for?). While a work triangle in the kitchen is pretty normal knowledge, the same type of work patterns in the garage only appear to people that, ta da... work in the garage.
Just like equestrian properties, or golf properties, or waterfront properties are most often best represented by those that understand them, so are garage properties.
Enjoy, and get out there and spin a wrench. It's GREAT therapy to work for a couple of hours and see something accomplished when it's over.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
Agreed, with real estate prices around my neck-of-the-woods, folks are looking to get the most out of their existing space. Zoning regs keep people from doing full garage conversions in most cities (which I think is a good thing) but we built most of our culture here in Silicon Valley on working from our garages. There's no reason not to be comfortable while doing it!
Cheers,
Steve
Larry - Great post on the Garage. Interesting I met a new neighbor on my evening walk and noticed he had surround sound, fridge, tv, and cabinets all organized. We talked about my friends who just started their business here Custom Ultimate Garage. Who would have thunk?
I'm giving you the "5" Gold Star!
One of our own agents has made his garage in to the man room. Weight room, big screen, video games, it has it all and it is all his.
Back in the 70s, my parents converted their one-car garage into living space. It was quite common back then in New Orleans, since the lots are so small. I didn't know anyone with a 2-car garage. much less a 3-car garage! What a luxury.
If everyone turns their garages and basements into these beautiful sanctuaries, where do they put all their "stuff"?
Well, I think the tricked out garage thing is great, but its something that not all buyers appreciate. I guess as long as they can see the value in the upgrades then its a plus. As a home stager, my problem is that home sellers sometimes convert garages into living spaces only to find out that the buyers want a garage, not an extra family room. just my 2 cents.. :)
Shawn
Shawn,
You are right that it is something that all buyers don't appreciate... nor should they. Some don't appreciate a "chef's kitchen", and others don't appreciate a full blown home theater. But, then, all homes aren't for all people. But, I think that the high end garage market has been left out by the builders. Everyone knows that there are "golf communities" and "equestrian communities". But, not many people outside of the hobby, and many in the hobby don't know that there are track based communities. You can literally drive your "not legal on the road" race car to the neighborhood course... much like driving your golf cart to the course... or taxiing your light plane to the runway of a fly in community.
Many of us don't need to go that far, and wouldn't take advantage of it anyway. But, there are a lot... and I mean a LOT of people that enjoy building hot rods, street machines, race cars, 4x4s, and motorcycles. Some like to restore cars. Others are detailing fanatics. It is not as big of a market as people that like to watch movies... but I bet it is almost as big as the market for "chefs".
Thank you so much for the comment..