Why the Garage is a Vacation Home’s Most Important Feature

When looking for a second home that serves as a place to get away and disconnect from reality, most buyers look at the kitchen and some of the luxury features, like a pool or entertaining areas as the most important features.

While they are important, and you should buy a home based on several needs and wants, there is one area that is often overlooked yet it’s so important: the garage.

You might be asking yourself, “Why in the world would I care about the garage at my vacation home?” Well, it doesn’t matter if you are looking to buy a house on the beach in the humid Florida weather or a ski house in Aspen. The garage is more important than you think. Here are a few reasons why this room needs your attention while looking at properties.

Extra Storage for Supplies

Extra storage space is key for a couple reasons. One, most vacation homes are a bit smaller and they don’t have a lot of storage. The last thing you want to do is spend your vacation days going to the store to pick up things like paper towels, trash bags, etc.

Stocking up on them is wise and having the extra room of a full garage allows you to keep items like this on hand in bulk. This is also convenient if you rent your vacation home on sites like Airbnb or Home Away, keeping it fully stocked with the essentials for the cleaning crew to turn over after each guest checks out.

More Room for Recreational Gear and Equipment

If you buy a beach house you will need beach chairs, umbrellas, games, a wagon to bring it all down with and then if you have kids that adds to the accessories and toys. Having a dedicated area in your garage for this type of stuff will help you stay organized, and help avoid Garage door repair to a certain extent.

It’s a big convenience factor and it also eliminates dragging sandy things through the house. Keeping everything in the garage limits the mess and also makes it easy to clean stuff off if you have an outside water faucet close to the garage.

Can Easily be Converted into a Game or Media Room

Adults and children alike love games, and there is something about having a game room at a vacation home. A pool table, an air hockey table or even stand-up arcade games can be purchased relatively inexpensive these days and your garage can easily accommodate these.

“You can even convert half of a two car garage into a game room,” according to Garage Door Repair Suffolk, “which allows you to still have plenty of storage as well as a place to store a vehicle.”

Safely Store Your Vacation Home Transportation

Many people will pick up a low priced car to get around town rather than using a ride share app or renting a car every time they are at their second home. It’s not ideal to leave a car sitting outside for months at a time if nobody is there or if you rent the place out.

Having a garage allows you to keep your vacation home vehicle safe and locked up. Many people who buy beach houses will also buy a golf cart or scooters to get around on, and a garage gives you a secure place to keep these as well.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.