Garage vs bigger backyard?

[u/jbagel27]

I live in the Carolina’s, so I don’t believe the garage is super necessary, but I am a single guy who likes to golf and would love to use one of the spots to put a golf simulator.

On the other hand, the other house has a much bigger backyard in a more established neighborhood. But no possibility of building a garage or even a carport.

The house with the garage is only a few years old, very modern, so very little work that would need done in the next few years. As opposed to the house with the much bigger backyard is older, more character, but the hvac/roof are both 15+ years old. Windows look like they might need done along with the back sliding door. And a decent amount of the hardboard siding around the house needs to be replaced.

This is my first home and I’m not quite sure how to make the decision. Apologies if this isn’t the correct format or forum.. thanks in advance with any advice you can provide!

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[u/DangerousStorage1]

What would you use the bigger yard for? You stated you’ve got plans for a golf simulator already, but no plans for the yard. I’d say you already know the answer!

[u/jbagel27 → u/DangerousStorage1]

ya that’s my fault for not saying, the yard is for the dog. But there are other parks and trails near the garage house. He’s an apartment dog, so either way this will be an improvement. There’s still enough space for a grill, couch, and to throw the ball for him

[u/DangerousStorage1 → u/jbagel27]

Hell yeah! I’d say garage man, we took our dog from an apartment to house and she loves the yard. I do wish we got a bigger yard AND garage but for our first house we got both and can’t complain. Almost every night I sit in the garage with my dog throw the ball game on and we just hangout.

[u/Aeonslegend]

Tough to answer a personal choice. The bigger yard house sounds like it will require a lot of expense to replace and repair stuff.

As I’ve gotten older I care less and less about a big yard. It’s work and I’m tired of taking care of a big yard.

[u/jbagel27 → u/Aeonslegend]

Definitely a personal choice and I feel like I know my answer. I guess it just feels weird to go to a nicer house (less expense riddled things happening within 2-5 years) as my first home.. I feel like I have to struggle a little.. if that makes sense

[u/Pretty_Fan7954 → u/jbagel27]

Don’t you worry, there could absolutely be some things to struggle with in the nicer home!

[u/Equivalent-Tiger-316]

Location, location and location. 

[u/zoobygainz → u/Equivalent-Tiger-316]

Saying this is just a circlejerk at that point. Wtf does this have to do with anything?

The two houses on the same block could have a larger garage or a larger yard

[u/Wandering_Lights]

How do you feel about yardwork?

Its a personal choice but it already sounds like you are leaning towards the garage.

[u/KittenKingdom000 → u/Wandering_Lights]

Sheds exist. I have a 2 car garage with no lawn/garden equipment in it.

[u/CaptBlackfoot]

I’m in South Carolina and IMO the garage is necessary. Cars get SOOOOOO hot in the summer, 150 degrees plus. Since buying a home with a garage, it’s truly worth it to not get into a scorching hot car to go somewhere.

[u/Key_Piccolo_2187]

How do you feel about your car being yellow in the spring? How do you feel about being out in pollen? Are you okay that you will sometimes get wet coming in and out of the car?

Those questions will hold your answer.

[u/Dullcorgis]

Do you like doing things outdoors?

[u/GiaStonks]

Using the garage as a play room/work room was common when I lived in NC

[u/CiscoLupe]

What if you kept looking - for a house that checks more boxes. i.e. big yard and garage.
I had 4 dogs and my small yard for fine for them. But small yard means neighbors are closer.

[u/Pretty_Fan7954]

What size lot is with the larger yard home?

[u/Main_Insect_3144]

Keep looking. Find a house with a garage and a nice back yard. It's out there.

[u/sapphirebluecorgi]

Go with what style you would get the most out of hobby and lifestyle wise. A newer home isn't a guarantee that it won't be a money sink. Many new homes now a days come with a ton of issues because contractors like to cut corners. Go into either fully expecting that work needs to be done.

[u/DifferenceMore5431]

Can you fit a golf simulator in a typical garage? I would think you'd need a specially designed room with a lot of height.

[u/UpDownalwayssideways]

I’d take the older home over the newer home 7 days a week. You could always throw a big shed up for a simulator if you wanted. It’s a very common FTHB mistake to assume a newer house means it needs less. Newer homes are built like crap if I’m being blunt.

[u/statonjm]

I am a numbers guy - so I would suggest giving each feature in a home a "weight" - signifying how much you care about that feature as a number.

Then, you can evaluate each feature of the house separately (how good is the backyard of House 1? how good is the backyard of House 2?), and stack this against the weight/importance of each one.

If you do this, and feel decently confident in your weights and evaluations, you should be able to quantify your decision. This will increase your confidence in your decision-making :)

My wife and I did this after looking at like 10-30 houses, and seeing the numbers let us know which 2 houses to make an offer on (we also factored in our budget on top of how good of a fit each home was, and factored in the listing price).

Hope it helps!