Easier Sell in Summer

The problem with tuck under garages is what’s “over” the “under”: I’ve now shown three homes in the last month where one of my (Buyer) clients’ main objections was that the bedroom floors directly above the garage were cold (admittedly, that was before the Twin Cities basked in 80ยบ temps this past weekend).

Of course, the other problem with tuck under garages is that they tend to be single stall.

Usually, single stall, tuck under garages go with a couple other things as well: older (but solid!) construction; one hall bath (i.e., no private master bath); and smaller, dated Kitchens.

“Please Leave Shoes On??”

The Realtor term for the foregoing is “functionally obsolete” (it still works, but it’s dated).

On the plus side, the neighborhoods where these kinds of homes predominate are typically closer in — and can be a very good value.

P.S.: Maybe Sellers of homes with tuck under garages should reconsider asking prospective Buyers to take their shoes off: I doubt the cold floors would have been so noticeable if my clients and I hadn’t been walking around in our stocking feet!

See also, “Discounting For a One-Car Garage.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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