As a buyer would you be put off by no garage?

[Callingallskeletons]

Our house has a separate garage, small back garden huge drive (room for at least 4 cars but not fully practical for more than 2 unless willing to climb out of the car via passenger door and jump out onto next doors drive) but as we only have 2 cars this is fine for us

The problem is our garage, it is set back from the house and takes up half the back garden - it is full to the brim of junk (not useful junk we can’t fit in the house but utter crap) and we very rarely set foot in there

Unfortunately when we bought the house the garage roof was damaged (survey didn’t pick it up) and it was letting water in, we tried to patch it as best we could and it has held for a few years (and like I said we very rarely go in there)

However now the damage has become quite significant and the inner ceiling is completely covered with black mould, We’ve had a few online quotes for repair work but now we are wondering if actually we’re better just knocking it down

The bonus of this would be it would virtually double the size of our garden, we could build a metal shed for the limited items we would actually keep (lawn mower, ladders etc) and we would have loads of room for a decking area and a much bigger area for the DC to play and keep their outdoor toys - The only thing putting us off is whether ultimately it would damage our chances of selling in the future/devalue our house??

Would it put you off as a prospective buyer to have no garage?

So not to drip feed we live in a great area, relatively low crime rates, fairly normal neighbours, brilliant schools, up and coming high street and great travel links to bigger towns/airports/train station etc which would all work in our favour but would we be shooting ourselves in the foot to get rid of the garage altogether?

Ours is set back and in crap condition so there is no way it adds 10% to the value of the house. All garages are not equal. I'd definitely get rid and replace with some storage and more garden.

Have you got a driveway?

I think THAT's going to be an important selling point moving forward as it enables people to charge a car at home, saving £££ on public charge points.

A double garage was on our list of essentials, but a big enough shed would suffice if on a decent concrete floor with big doors.

I couldn't care less. Our current house doesn't have a garage - it was converted when the previous owners extended the house. Off street parking is an absolute must have but I wouldn't use a garage.

Sorry had loads of reply’s and I’ve been working, Yes we’ve got a huge drive so plenty of off road parking and the drive is set so far back from the house it would be virtually impossible to drive a classic car into it

Nobody would want to store motorbikes or high end tools in our garage it’s is such poor condition 🤦🏻‍♀️

But I completely understand that those could be reasons why others would want a garage and it’s something to take in to consideration before making the decision

Thank you all for replying, you’ve helped me to balance the arguments much better in my (very tired) brain

Our garage is converted to a shower room and utility room. We still officially have a garage but it only fits a tiny car, we are probably going to clear out the junk and make it a home gym space.

If you have a long driveway and the garage is in the garden space would it be possible to move the garage back along the driveway so it is alongside the house. Or have a side extension to the house if that would be useful? But I don't think a garage is particularly desirable unless it's big enough for a couple of modern cars and is connected to the house.

No one in our road uses the (remaining) garages for their cars.

I wouldn't bother about a garage at all.

@JaninaDuszejko

Our garage is converted to a shower room and utility room. We still officially have a garage but it only fits a tiny car, we are probably going to clear out the junk and make it a home gym space.

If you have a long driveway and the garage is in the garden space would it be possible to move the garage back along the driveway so it is alongside the house. Or have a side extension to the house if that would be useful? But I don't think a garage is particularly desirable unless it's big enough for a couple of modern cars and is connected to the house.

We have considered extending the back to incorporate the garage in to the house but we’d still likely need to knock the original down as it’s in such bad condition and I’m not sure we could afford an extension But I really like the idea and it’s definitely something to consider ☺️

It’d put me off. Up until now I’ve been in properties with a shed but no garage and I’d love somewhere to have a tumble drier, big chest freezer for batch cooking and for doing things like repairing bike punctures or cleaning my running shoes without having to stand in the garden! A garage is on my must have list.

It wouldn't bother me at all as long as I had a drive for two cars. I can't imagine ever bothering to use a garage to park a car, it would just be storage and/or a utility room if I needed one. I'd much rather have a larger garden.
Whilst a garage might put off some buyers, I think lots would be more put off by a garage in poor condition taking up lots of garden space.

No garage might put off buyers I meant!

No. Off road parking for 2 cars essential. Garage not a priority.

Be careful it's not made of asbestos if you're knocking it down.

Off road parking and a shed would be perfectly fine for me. A driveway for 2 cars is top of the list for me when we move. A garage isn't even on it.

Off road parking and I would be happy.

I wouldn’t consider a property without a garage ( or space to build one ) we have so much stuff , building equipment, camping stuff, bikes, garden furniture in winter etc...... I think we must be in a minority as one of the cars is in it every night. If we knocked it down it would definitely devalue the property, although the top half needs to be rebuilt soon as it’s on its last legs. 63m2 and it’s a bit different.

It wouldn't put me off, I've always lived in London and never had one! But if there was very little storage space in the house, it might be an issue.

@chumleymouse - that looks like a lovely garage with potential. In fact in London that would probably go for a million by itself.

Ours isn't so lovely. Talking to the builders who are at our house building an extension and there was definitly an are of 'we can knock it down for you - but are you sure?'