Garage Condos - Good or Bad?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Garage Condos - Good or Bad?
Does anybody have a garage condo for storing extra cars away from your house? We have a small 2 car garage with a tiny driveway, and 4 cars, plus bikes, and sets of off-season wheel/tires. So basically lack of space. So, we're thinking of getting a garage condo 15 minutes away to store whatever we're not driving or using at the time, as well as a lift, so we can do minor car maintenance and swap wheels. But we don't know if they're a good idea or not, so I wanted to hear opinions from anyone who knows something about these and/or has one. I'm also concerned that they might be difficult to sell, if we have to. TIA!
#2
Advanced
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been thinking about the same thing. We moved to a condo about 3 years ago, and have only a 2 car garage with no ability to park anything outside for more than a few days. Our other 5 vehicles are parked at several other places in town. The thing I miss the most is being able to wash a vehicle when I want to. Most storage units around here are unheated and do not have electric power. A 1 car unit goes for about $80 per month. A heated garage condo with hot and cold water and a floor drain would be real nice. Not sure if it's worth $100-150k, though.
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Wow, you have a lot of cars! I agree that a floor drain in a heated space would be awesome too, so we could hand wash in the winter! But I also wonder if a condo is worth the $100-$200K purchase investment (the price of a new 991!), plus condo fees ($1.25/SQFT/YR ~ $1000/yr). The alternative for us would be to move to a new house that has a larger garage attached. Just don't know which makes more sense.
#5
Rennlist Member
Anyone know of a garage condo in Chicago? This sounds like something I'd be interested in.
#6
Most condo associations do not allow one to work on cars that involve fluid changes and mods. Mine does not. I will wax and vacuum the 911 and treat the leather, but no oil changes or brake fluid flush or things like that. Carefully read the Board rules of places like that as fines can be levied.
#7
Three Wheelin'
Some condos are being built at Autobahn which I think is better than the the Iron Gate Motor Condos. Its a little further away but at least you are on a race track.
Trending Topics
#8
Three Wheelin'
Does anybody have a garage condo for storing extra cars away from your house? We have a small 2 car garage with a tiny driveway, and 4 cars, plus bikes, and sets of off-season wheel/tires. So basically lack of space. So, we're thinking of getting a garage condo 15 minutes away to store whatever we're not driving or using at the time, as well as a lift, so we can do minor car maintenance and swap wheels. But we don't know if they're a good idea or not, so I wanted to hear opinions from anyone who knows something about these and/or has one. I'm also concerned that they might be difficult to sell, if we have to. TIA!
I would rather rent warehouse space. But I do admit these motor condos are pretty cool so it depends on how much time/use you would get out of it.
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
Most condo associations do not allow one to work on cars that involve fluid changes and mods. Mine does not. I will wax and vacuum the 911 and treat the leather, but no oil changes or brake fluid flush or things like that. Carefully read the Board rules of places like that as fines can be levied.
#10
Rennlist Member
A couple of years ago, I rented a 20x60 space for my overflow a few miles from my house. Biggest downside was the distance and amount of travel involved, especially if you have many vehicles and like to use them all.
Two complaints from my wife - (1) you are never at home, and (2) the wrong car is always in the driveway.
First recommendation: Get yourself a 'pit bike' that you can use to easily move between the house and the condo (I used a Buell Blast for this).
Second recommendation: Buy a new house. I ended up buying a new house with a 1500 sq ft heated garage that solved my problem - now all the toys are just outside the laundry room.
Two complaints from my wife - (1) you are never at home, and (2) the wrong car is always in the driveway.
First recommendation: Get yourself a 'pit bike' that you can use to easily move between the house and the condo (I used a Buell Blast for this).
Second recommendation: Buy a new house. I ended up buying a new house with a 1500 sq ft heated garage that solved my problem - now all the toys are just outside the laundry room.
#11
Three Wheelin'
Most condo associations do not allow one to work on cars that involve fluid changes and mods. Mine does not. I will wax and vacuum the 911 and treat the leather, but no oil changes or brake fluid flush or things like that. Carefully read the Board rules of places like that as fines can be levied.
#12
Racer
Thread Starter
A couple of years ago, I rented a 20x60 space for my overflow a few miles from my house. Biggest downside was the distance and amount of travel involved, especially if you have many vehicles and like to use them all...First recommendation: Get yourself a 'pit bike' that you can use to easily move between the house and the condo (I used a Buell Blast for this). Second recommendation: Buy a new house. I ended up buying a new house with a 1500 sq ft heated garage that solved my problem - now all the toys are just outside the laundry room.
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
1. Living there
2. Running a business out of it
3. Anything illegal
If we do this, we're gonna put in a TV, mini kitchen/bar, and a sofa, plus a bathroom, of course. My 11 year old daughter asked a good question - how does one determine if someone is actually living there? I assume the line would be drawn where you can't spend the night there!
#15
Three Wheelin'
I guess I think like an 11 yr old because I had the same question. If you don't need US Mail, I'm sure you could live there if no one enforces the rules. It has to do with zoning and most of these places are not zoned residential so it affects public services and property tax.