Garage Size & Enough Storage?
 

Hello TOV Friends... we are starting to make some decisions for our home in TV. We still are here in ohio, but will be at TV in April to make some decisions... our question is this - garage and storage space. We were hoping to buy an IRIS and push out the front bedrm & garage 2ft as well as push the garage out 4' to the side. We were concerned that the garage, as it stood, really would not accommodate 2 cars, golf car + some storage shelves along the side walls. Can anyone give us feedback on that? Can we get away with NOT pushing the garage 4 ft to the side and have enough space? Even if you dont have an iris, we would love some thoughts on garage and storage space so we can made some informed decisions prior to selecting our house, lot and the changes. We have never built a home before so we are very green at this! thank you so much.
Tony & Carleen

The bigger, the better
 

In my opinion, stretching the garage is probably the most important stretch, besides the lanai, you should make to your house. Once you get your cars and cart in the garage, you will be amazed how much it shrinks!! I say stretch it as far wide and long as you can.....you won't be sorry. In addition to a wall of storage cabinets in our garage, we also put a hanging rack from the ceiling. We have an extra amount of "junk" to store so maybe we went hog wild, but just remember, what is done is done and you can never get enough storage.

I cant speak about the Iris, but I will say if you are thinking about needing more space now(!!!!), make sure you get a lot that will allow you to expand as much as possible. Rather than bumping the garage out 4feet, why not just get a golf cart garage and make certain you have extra room (depth wise) in the golf cart. Some lots even allow for a 3 car garage!!

You are correct in thinking about storage space now before you build, but the best advice you can receive is to get rid of questionable items now rather than waiting until you get here in TV. One of the BIGGEST issues people have (even if they like their house) is No Golf Cart Garage or lack of storage. Other issues can be location, back to back lanais or they forget to include a needed option such as a bump out.

All is not lost if you dont include everything when you build but the most important thing (if you can afford it) is to buy a lot that will allow you options after you build. If you have the space you can always enclose or expand the lanai, birdcage area, add a bathroom or sitting room off the master bedroom, or even add a golf cart garage if not in the front of the house, in the rear with just a driveway leading to the new GC garage.

Options are unlimited as long as you have space time and money!!

I agree with Happinow. Large garages are great! As well as two cars and a golf cart, you may want to store other stuff in the garage that you use often, like golf clubs, roller blades, hobby equipment, gardening supplies, archery equipment, etc. Who knows what hobbies you may enjoy once you're living in The Villages! My husband even has a workbench where he works on E-Flyer planes. And we have a motorcycle. There is an attic for Christmas decoration storage, etc., but it's not very convenient for stuff that is used often.

:agree:
We too have 2 cars, motorcycle, cart, bicycles, tools, roller blades, gardening, and more. That is downsized! We had larger homes with basements, storage areas north, but not here. Stretch all you can!

Definitely go with a golf cart garage - that is number 1 wish I hear Villagers saying. Also get rid of as much as you can. We have 2 cars, golf cart, workbench and Christmas stuff and a spare fridge in our garage/golf cart garage with plenty of room to walk around and store more stuff. Don't use the attic for anything 'cause I don't need to and think it is way toooooo hot - just personal preferance. I also agree with Happinow about an expanded lanai - we bought a pre-owned and the one thing I wish for is a larger lanai becaue we literally live out there.

I agree with all above posters. We stretched our garage forward and we are glad we did.

It is cheaper to add space when you build then to add on.

Garages are your basements and hobby areas as well as storage.

As George Carlin used to say.........................get rid of your stuff!

I agree that before moving here we must get rid of everything that isn't essential. I will also say that our one regret about buying our current house is we didn't spend the extra and get the golf cart garage. We could kick ourselves over and over for that (well actually my husband, he was the thrifty one) ha ha.

We built an iris last summer and did stretch both the garage 2 ft in length and the lanai 4 ft. Both seem nice space now but we only plan on having one car and two carts. We did not do the front bedroom and are satisfied with the space. If you can do more to the space, I say go for it but the length is a must! Love our home, you can just keep adding on forever, but found more expenses after close, I.e. landscaping, solar tubes, screen for front door, garage floor expoxied, etc. Had a budget, but of course did go over. If you have further questions on iris, let us know, would be happy to share our thoughts. We did not have room on our lot to go out sideways but wouldn't trade our lot. Congratulations and best wishes.

Linda - good to speak with you again -- curious what is it about your lot that makes you love it so much that you wouldnt traide it?

[QUOTE=Bogie Shooter;607734]As George Carlin used to say.........................get rid of your stuff![/QUOTE
:agree:

We moved from 5000 sq ft to 1500. We had a basement and large 2 car garage. We now have 1and a half garage....don't miss ANY of that stuff that filled our previous home.

I'd recommend building a garage with a nice house attached. No basements, small attic storage areas, no yard storage sheds, all make for a premium for storage of toys and "the good stuff". By all means consider bumping the garage out in all directions if you want room for storage shelves. Be sure to extend the debth also because the standard size just fits a regular car with only a couple of feet to spare. Strongly consider making the cart space deep enough to house 2 carts ( with the size of the Villages and all its activities you'll probably end up with 2 eventually) A standard cart is approx. 4'X8' so you need at least 18-20 feet of depth for two, more if you get a 4 seater or high-end fancy one. If you can, build a full 3 car garage. If you don't use the extra space you can easily rent it out to a car collector for at least $1000/yr. A realitor friend told me that homes with 3 full car garages resell quickly at a premium.

We have a 3 car garage with 2 foot extension for a total of 1,000 square feet.
Then we sold our Thunderbird convertible (only drove it 500 miles a year) and the garage looks empty with only the other car and golf cart.
Could have skipped the 2 foot extension if we had realized how big the garage would be.

We built Three car and golf cart garages, bumped out. Plan on having one car, one golf cart and two car garage laid out like Lowe's. Wanted two holes to attic one for steps, one for pully. Will reacess if builder right. Saw some regular elevator type lifts. Hard to carry things up and down pull down stairs.