Ways to Make Your Garage a Selling Point

Guest post from Jessica Thiefels

Your garage can be one of two things: an empty space for cars to park and clutter to build-up over time, or it can be a useable space that provides value to new homeowners. When you’re competing in a competitive market, you want your garage to be the latter.

Use these ideas to make your garage a selling point, especially if it’s not already updated or renovated.

Create a Home Storage Center

A garage can a great place to toss everything you don’t use on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your garage, there are a few options:

• Overhead storage: This is perfect for a small garage and you can DIY the whole thing. Check out this tutorial from Craftsman.
• Pegboards: Pegboards, which hang on the wall, are the perfect space savers and organizers. “With the help of hooks, you have the freedom of hanging your things anywhere and any way you want: in the center, horizontally, vertically, at the bottom, or top. Ensure that it’s properly and securely attached to your wall so it doesn’t fall over and cause any mishaps,” explains Garage Storage Solutions. Simply buy a pegboard and mount it to the wall.
• Shelving: Install basic shelving on whichever wall has the most space. This is a simple project and your budget can dictate the cost and quality of the wood and hardware you buy. Check out these five garage shelving ideas from Bob Vila to find some inspiration.

Install Epoxy Flooring

You’ve likely seen epoxy flooring in commercial garages or car showrooms, but it isn’t just for professional use. Epoxy flooring is a smart upgrade for your garage for many reasons. Not only does it look good, with a sleek and modern finish, but it’s durable and reduces slips and falls.

“More than many other installations within your home, your garage flooring is subjected to serious wear and tear. After all, with all the work you’ll do in there and the heavy machinery you’ll keep in it (such as your car), it doesn’t take long for your garage flooring to wear down and crack,” explain epoxy flooring experts. “To avoid cracks and the foundational issues they can lead to, just get a coat of epoxy. Epoxy will add extra durability to your garage flooring, helping it to last as long as you need it to.”

The best part: you can install epoxy flooring yourself or have it done by a professional. If you’re on a budget, go the DIY route—if you have no time, hire someone to come do it for you. In either case, it will be a major selling point for your home, attracting car enthusiasts and those who want to make their garage a functionable storage space.

Turn it Into a Kid’s Space

If you live in a family-friendly area, turning your garage into a kid’s space will appeal to interested families. If you’ve already installed epoxy, you can tout the safety benefits of the flooring for kids thanks to the non-slip surface. Take it a step further by installing items that kids can use to store toys and play. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Pull-out workbench that kids can use to color on. Get ideas from this Pinterest search.
• Low-rise gates to keep the kids space separate from the rest of the garage.
• Chalkboard walls.

Stage this space like you would the rest of our home with kid’s chairs, a small couch, toys and storage bins, allowing potential buyers to imagine their kids using the space.

Spruce Up the Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is critical: “First impressions set the tone for a home tour. Prospective buyers should encounter an attractive, welcoming place before they even walk through the doorway,” according to Simple Tricks to Crank Up Your Curb Appeal. Your garage plays an important role in curb appeal, accounting for a large portion of the front of your home.

As such, consider how you can elevate the look of your garage from a curb appeal standpoint. Here are a few ideas:

• Power wash the door: You’ll be amazed at how much dirt and grime is caked on there.
• Paint the door: Re-paint the door and trim. Get inspiration from HGTV’s garage remodel gallery.
• Add windows and detail: If your door doesn’t already have windows or interesting detail, consider adding these features, which can help your home stand out.
• Replace the door: In some cases, you may be better off replacing the garage door.

Making your garage a selling point of the home doesn’t take a lot of time or money—with a few DIY projects, you’ll have a marketable space for every kind of buyer. Looking for more ideas to help your home sell? Work with an experienced RE/MAX agent. Find one on remax.com

Jessica Thiefels has been writing and editing for more than 10 years and is now a professional freelancer and consultant. She’s worked with a variety of real estate clients, and has been featured on Forbes and Market Watch. She’s also an author for Inman, HouseHunt Network, Homes.com and more. Follow her on Twitter @Jlsander07 and connect on LinkedIn.