LESLIE: Brad in Oklahoma needs some help adding onto the house. What can we do for you today?
BRAD: Well, I was wondering if turning my garage into a den adds or takes away the value of a house because I would be losing the garage.
LESLIE: Mm-hmm.
TOM: You know, that’s a really good question. It depends on the neighborhood and what other folks have done. If it turns out that most of the folks in your area have garages and you’re the only one that doesn’t, that makes you kind of odd man out and I think …
BRAD: It’s about 50/50.
TOM: It’s about 50/50? Well, if it’s 50/50, then maybe not. But remember, you’re going to find people, when it comes time to sell this house, that are going to want the extra room and you’re going to have other people that would have preferred a garage. I will say this: if you are going to convert this garage, make sure it looks like – doesn’t look like a garage anymore. That means changing the front façade, to side it, to landscape it, to modify the driveway. All of those things are important because there are so many times when people will modify garages to create finished living space and still leave the garage door or do something else that’s kind of schlocky like that and that really takes away from the value.
BRAD: Yeah, I agree.
LESLIE: And I would say if you’re taking away the garage and your property allows for it, build a functional and attractive shed so that when you do sell, you have the added benefit of saying, “I’ve got this storage.” And plus, for you, it’s like where are you going to put your lawn mower; where are all your tools going to go? It’s like you do need that secondary storage area.
BRAD: Right. See, I’ve already got a 12×24 shed already in the yard.
LESLIE: Oh, great.
TOM: Oh, so you’re in good shape.
BRAD: Yeah, so. OK, well that was my question.
TOM: Alright, Brad. Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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