The Garage Plan Shop Blog

There are many benefits to owning a garage apartment. You’ll have the additional parking and storage space you need and potential income from a tenant who might otherwise be paying rent somewhere else. Better than that, charging rent gives you extra financial means to pay off the construction of your new garage. Renting out your garage apartment comes with responsibilities mainly with the maintenance of the property. You need to be on top of hardwood floor maintenance, plumbing and residential roof leak repairs, as well as hvac tune-ups and residential septic tank cleaning.

It is a win-win situation unless you don’t know how to go about finding a tenant to rent out the apartment. Below are a few tips that will help when you are looking for apartments for rent ny.

1.     Check with your local government. Many areas and subdivisions have restrictions against renting a portion of your property to someone else. While city laws may allow you to use your garage apartment personally for perhaps a guest suite for overnight visitors, many municipalities have laws preventing you from using the apartment as a source of income. So before you even start construction on your new garage apartment, make sure renting is permitted in your area.

2.     Do your homework. Find out if there are any zoning regulations in your area. Some cities and neighborhoods require that you get approval from neighbors before you can lease your property to a renter. In most cases a notice is sent to your neighbors (i.e. anyone whose property boarders yours or anyone who lives within a specified distance, such as 500 feet, from the dwelling you plan to lease.) These people will be given a specific amount of time, such as 30 days, to object. If there are no objections you are given a permit to lease the garage apartment. If someone does object, your request will be denied.

3.     Ask a competitive price. Take some time to research other garage apartments and apartment buildings in your area. Go look at them so you know what is being offered. Find out what price each one is renting for. Make sure your price is comparable to other units in the area of a similar square footage and amenities. If you price your property too high, you won’t get any potential renters. Utilizing online tools such as a prorated rent calculator can ultimately help you calculate the rent.

4.     Use strategic advertising. While garage apartments can be quite accommodating, they generally have a small square footage limiting the number of potential renters. Advertise in areas where there are a lot of singles and college students who may not require a great amount of space or will be just fine with the basics. Get permission to put of flyers on college campuses and in other areas where young singles are likely to gather.

5.     Interview your potential renter. When someone shows interest in the garage apartment, don’t just offer it to them on the spot. Make an appointment for a formal interview with the perspective tenant. After all, this is your property. You want to be certain you will lease the apartment to someone who will respect your property as you would, otherwise you may be headed for trouble in the future. Get to know the person so you can get a good feel if this person is the right fit for you and your apartment.

Leasing your garage apartment is a wonderful income opportunity for you, and it is the ideal way to pay off the construction of your dream garage. With these helpful tips, you should be well on your way to renting out the living space of your new garage apartment. And if you want to earn good money, and not just a few extra dollars a month, you can also trade forex with VT Markets for France. 

Tags: Garage Apartment Plans, rental property, tenants

If you’re going to add a garage to your home, consider a garage apartment. One of today’s most popular trends, garage apartments offer the parking space you need and an added bonus: living space. Garage apartments are available in a variety of sizes, floor plans, and roof installation materials, and come in a wide range of architectural styles ensuring you’ll find one to match your home. You may hire local commercial roof contractors to help build the roof of your garage.

What is a garage apartment? It is a garage design which incorporates a modest yet fully functional living space. Typically, the living space delivers one or more bedrooms and baths, a compact kitchen and a living area. Some even offer other features like an eating bar, a porch/deck, special ceiling treatments and more. With its own residential ac installation, your garage will become a comfortable living space (look up services like AC installation in Snohomish, WA for professional help). Garage apartments are typically designed with the parking areas on the first floor and the living spaces above. However, some floor plans are designed all on one level.

So why should you consider building a garage apartment? Many of the top reasons are listed below.

• • Add Value to your Home: A functional garage apartment adds value to your property and extra curb appeal. You’ll have plenty of sheltered parking and flexible living space to use any way you wish.

• • Guest or In-Law Suite: Your overnight visitors and weekend guests will have comfortable accommodations and plenty of privacy in the garage apartment.

• • Independent Living with Assistance: If you find yourself helping care for an aging relative who needs minor assistance but prefers independent living, consider one-level garage apartment designs. These floor plans offer all the comforts of home without the challenge of stairs to climb.

• • Office Space: If you have a home based business, you’ll find a garage apartment provides the right accommodations for a home office and plenty of space to meet with clients, etc. Convert the bedroom area to an office and use the living areas as your conference area. With a full bath and a kitchen, you’ll feel as if you went to work without ever leaving home.

• • Entertainment Space: For those who enjoy hosting get-togethers and have the extended family over for dinner on every holiday, the apartment area is perfect for a game home, home theater or recreation area. With the compact kitchen it is easy to serve drinks and snacks. Better yet, let the kids hang out in the apartment while you enjoy adult conversation in the home.

• • Rental Property: If you’d like extra income to help you pay for your dream garage, consider renting the second floor apartment to a college student, a single or a couple. You’ll easily pay off your garage without having to pay for all of it out of your pocket.

• • Hobby Area: Perhaps you have a hobby that requires a workshop and craft area. Use one stall of the garage for all the dirty work like cutting wood and hiring a painter, and use the living areas to add the finishing touches.

• Flex Space: As your family grows and changes, your garage apartment can change with you. Use it to satisfy your needs at any particular time. Do you need an exercise area, a quite place for your student to study or an sewing room? An open floor plan might satisfy your needs best. Just change the room arrangement as your lifestyle or needs change.

Tags: finished living area, Garage Apartment Plans, living space

Weather you’ve built a garage apartment with a hardwood flooring installation so you can use the extra living space for an in-law or guest suite or a place for your college student, chances are you’ll want to furnish the space without breaking the bank. Some money saving tips are listed below to help you turn your new garage apartment into a comfortable living space while keeping some green in your pocket.

·         Have a plan. Know what items you are looking for and keep an eye out for them in even the most unexpected places. How many lamps do you need? Do you want a small dining table? How many bedrooms does the apartment have? Does each room need a dresser and a night stand? Could you use an entertainment center? What size?

·         Think outside the box. Consider how you might refurbish a piece of furniture to give it a new look. Can you repaint a bookshelf or desk? Buy a slipcover for a couch? Sand and stain a coffee table? Purchase a new lamp shade for a lamp?

·         Think about how some items might be used for something else. Can a large bookshelf serve as an entertainment center? Will an end table work as a nightstand?

·         Check out garage sales and yard sales. Get there early so you’ll have the best selection of items resulting in the best deals.

·         Visit thrift stores often. These stores continuously receive new items, so check them frequently.

·         Watch the newspaper for estate sales and auctions. Sometimes you can find few pieces of matching furniture such as a bedroom set or sofa and recliner for a modest price.

·         Consider items left by dumpsters and curbs, especially at apartment complexes and college dorms. Sometimes perfectly good furniture is thrown away just because the owner is moving and doesn’t have a place for it in their new home, hire the fort lauderdale moving company and take advantage of it. In the case of college students, many just don’t have a way of transporting the furniture to the next place.

·         Check other online stores for outdoor furniture sale. Home furnishings on these sites are sold at a dramatically reduced price and are often in very good condition.

·         Check you stash of mix matched dishes in the kitchen. Consider moving these dishes to the garage apartment and buying yourself the new set of dishes you’ve been wanting. Or, check with friends and family. Everyone always has extra dishes they aren’t using. If not, thrift stores always have plenty.

·         Inspect any items you find secondhand for mold and insects. If you decide to buy the items, clean them thoroughly before using or refurbishing them.

·         Watch sale ads at your favorite department stores and consider buying the basic small appliances new when they are on sale at dewaardandbode.com/appliances/. Toasters, coffee makers, etc., can often be found on sale at relatively low prices and you’ll be assured that they will last a while. Do the same for bed linens and bath and kitchen towels. For your ac and heater installation, make sure that you get the ones with high energy-efficiency ratings. If you have an old hvac system, you may have it fixed and installed by a heating repair contractor instead of buying a new one.

Remember to use your imagination and a little creativity. With a little thought and ingenuity, you’ll have no problem decorating your new garage apartment without spending a fortune.

Tags: budget, furnish, Garage Apartment Plans