Does anybody have any experience with Garage Condos? Good or Bad? I want to learn more about these things because we finally have one in the Columbus area.
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Re: Garage Condos
I'm not sure if I know what a garage condo is BUT,
My friend had his collections and other valuables packed in and around his work area and kept the doors locked always.
We were in it most every knight having a brew and working on radio controlled airplanes.
One morning he opened the door to clean our mess before he went to work and he was cleaned out.
There were holesin the walls going from garage to garage.
The thieves found the easiest garage to get in and simply cut the walls out and went from garage to garage.
Sick, but true. Some of his airplane engines hit the market and they cought a guy that sold one and found about 1/4 of his stolen property that the guy had.
The sad part is the collection of 1930's 40's and 50's airplane engines that were already sold were not replacable.
Insurance helps a bit but without the right paper work you only get face value for what is stolen.
The owner said the thief got high on what he sold and nothing was done.
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Re: Garage Condos
I have one , and it's great. Security will always be a problem with something like this. I find that having an association is a big plus. All of the units in our complex have the same security system, and the developer's office building is on the same site. The first week I had it, I screwed up with the security codes, and a guy from the office was there in less than 2 minutes, before the alarm company even called my cell phone. Plus, since there are almost 100 units on site, there is usually someone legitimately there, and that helps keep the tweakers away.
I paid cash for mine, and it now costs less than $500 per year for taxes and maintenance fees. (Insurance is a variable depending on what you keep there.) This was the only choice for me, since I'm getting older and have moved to a condominium to live as well. I wasn't up to the yard work etc., plus the time that was taking from my leisure hours. The only possible downside is that it is a couple of miles from home, so you can't "run out to the garage" and do something on the spur of he moment. This can be a positive as well, since I find I am much more organized since most trips to the site are planned, with a specific objective in mind. I also have added a small informal office area with a desk and bookcases for manuals, so I have kind of a retreat away from home I can go to. I have been considering adding a fold up cot and cable TV, but haven't done it yet.
Also, the complex has a separate unit that has been converted to an office with a full bathroom and showers, etc. There was a time when I was planning on building a shop on my property. You can not believe what having plumbing and a full bath does to construction costs on something like this, and also what the tax assessor likes to value a full-blown shop at.
When I first considered this, the concept was kinda a foreign to me and I had a hard time getting my head around it. Since I've done it, I couldn't be happier.Comment
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Re: Garage Condos
The individuals who own these (that I know) have video/alarms, so from those comments by Domenic plan to spend some $ on that stuff.
As for experience with Garage Condos they are unknown to me.
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Re: Garage Condos
Can you live in a garage condo? (being a single guy of course)
Seems like I'd rather buy a nice garage condo than a house with a tiny 2 car garage!Comment
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Re: Garage Condos
Dennis -
Your situation sounds a lot like mine. Do you happen to know what you paid per square foot for the unit? These run about $63 - $64 per square foot without improvements. The have water heat and sewer standard but the heat and electric are metered (no problem) but that is about it. There are plenty of extras like bathrooms, lofts, etc. I like the concept but have no idea what I would be getting into. I don't think security at this place will be much of an issue and I can always add a motion detector alarm.Comment
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Re: Garage Condos
Herbert,
I paid about $26 per square foot for 1200 square feet. They are going for less that that now with this economy. That was for an insulated unit with the inside walls finished. Since I had 14' ceilings, I had a local guy add a mezzanine across the back for an additional $4500. That included pallet racking for storage. I didn't add heat because I spend my winters in Florida, and since the office unit is in another building, there is no sewer and water. I do have a portable construction heater to take the chill of in the spring and fall. One of the nice things about it that it is always cool in the summer. It's been over 90 everyday for he last week up here, but if I keep the door shut, it never gets much above 70 in the unit, so air conditioning is not needed. All and all, it's been a good deal for me.
DennyComment
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Re: Garage Condos
Wow Dennis, that sounds like a great price! How many cars would you be able to store? Would a lift fit in your space to max car storage?
I don't think I would want to live in a garage condo but... spending the occasional night with the "loves of my life" doesn't sound half bad.
As for the security, I have a locater on my "60. I had that installed for instances when I drive her to an event/outing, park and leave. Also, I have motion sensors in the garage connected to the security system.
You can not be too careful.Valeria Hutchinson
Past Chairman of the Carolinas Chapter
1960 Roman Red w/ White Coves -"Bella"
2005 Millennium Yellow 6 speed 400 HP - "Trixie"Comment
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Re: Garage Condos
Herb, I still think it is a cool concept. But the wife is not buying it. Now if I could build some buildings and sell them, she might be on board...Comment
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Re: Garage Condos
Valeria,
During the summer, I have 4 or 5 cars in it. A couple are pretty small (my modified dirt track stock car and a "T" touring I am working on). Over the winter, I put my 2 daily drivers in there for a total of 7. It takes some logistics and a large shoehorn, but since I'm out of town, it's OK. During the summer, I have lots of room and can move a car or two outside and free up lots of space. Let me emphasize the value of the mezzanine. Unless you own a couple of class A RV's, I unit such as mine with 14 foot ceilings has half the volume of the space wasted. My mezzanine is 8' by 30' across the back with an 8' by 8' extension for my little office. If I had it to do over again, I'd make the mezzanine bigger and put pallet racking for storage across the back and the front of the mezzanine.
Our association has strict rules against living in the units. The developer of the complex has become a personal friend since I bought it, and according to him, that is about the only thing that is really prohibited.
I believe that the county views the units as storage units, not shops. Therefore, the values and taxes are super reasonable. Again, I feel it's one of the best things I have done lately.Comment
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Dennis,
Is this the Car condo's in Chaska on Audubon Road?Comment
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Robert,
No, this is up north of Brainerd. Also, it is just a "Storage Complex". I think calling them "Garage Condos" is just a way to get more money for them.
DennyComment
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I love the idea of this type of place but am having a hard time finding out if there are any local to me. WHen I google "Garage Condo" plus my location, I get hits for all the traditional condos that have garages!Comment
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Re: Garage Condos
Denny -
Sounds like you got a super price on what you bought given what this place is quoting me for much smaller spaces. The difference is even more so given that I am in the Midwest and I am guessing you are in New England.
This concept seems well accepted among everybody on the Forum so far.
HerbComment
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Re: Garage Condos
There is a franchise chain of these out west called "Garage Town". They have one in the Phoenix area. Don't know of any in the Midwest except near Cleveland on Lake Erie where folks store their boats.Comment
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