What defines a garage?

[DottiStults]

I am doing an appraisal on a ranch with a walkout basement. The "garage" is located in the basement. There are 2 1 car garage bays. The walkout basement is out the back of the house and there is NO driveway. So to access this garage you have to go past the side of the house, around the inground pool and through the back yard to access the "garage". The house is in Michigan so we do have snow at least 1/3 of the year. Is it a garage or not?? It is NOT typical to the market place.

 

[mikeinpittsburgh]

Sounds like a garage with some functional issues.

 

[CANative]

Car storage.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

"NO driveway. So to access this garage you have to go past the side of the house, around the inground pool and through the back yard to access the "garage"."

Unfinished Basement Storage.

 

[DottiStults]

That's what I was thinking. Wanted to get some feedback from other appraisers because I know the homeowners are going to be ticked off. Because not only does she think it is functional she thinks it's 4 cars because if you possibly pull them up far enough and over to the side you could fit 4 in there.

 

[CANative]

For crying out loud. It's a garage. Not everyone puts cars in the garage. Garages get used for many useful things. If you can get a car in it it's a garage.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

That's what I was thinking. Wanted to get some feedback from other appraisers because I know the homeowners are going to be ticked off. Because not only does she think it is functional she thinks it's 4 cars because if you possibly pull them up far enough and over to the side you could fit 4 in there.

Dotti - check your private messages for photo attachment process - always good to view photo to illustrate your post. :icon_idea:

 

[Mr Rex]

What is the difference in contributory value between the space as a "garage" and similarly finished basement area? In my area, virtually none. In the grid, I usually call it a basement garage on the garage line, with its contributry value there. Around here that would be about 1/2 the value of a fully functioning/readily accesible garage.

 

[CANative]

Show me your matched pairs.

 

[Mr Rex]

Actually not that uncommon around here, as basements aren't that uncommon. I have a 1 car basement garage myself, access through the back yard. Also an attached and detached garage that are really garages, concrete drive to the door(s).