[USER]

Should we move or try to make our house work? My husband (40) and I (36) need to either find a way to make our house work or move and give up our interest rate (1.75% for 15 years).

We need to find an office for him.

When we bought this house he didn’t need an office but now he’s doing more admin work and he needs a dedicated space. Our house has 2, 2 car garages (4 car total).

The main entrance leads into the kitchen. The side load 2 car garage doesn’t have a direct entry into the house.

I’ve looked everywhere and there is no place to put a door to make a garage conversion to the side entry garage.

My husband thinks taking the main garage and taking a portion to make an office will hurt us if we ever resale but I think since we still have a 3 car garage (plus storage) it won’t matter.

The other option is to convert the kids playroom but with 2 young kids (18 months and 6) it’s not ideal.

What would you do? We bought our house in 2021 for 1 million and it’s now worth about 1.9 million and it’s a 1 story. We have about 450k left.

If we moved it would have to be a 2 story since they are cheaper and our mortgage payment would be about the same but we go to a 30 year payment.

Has anyone done similar? Do you think taking from the main entry garage will be problematic or look awful?

I measured and we would still leave almost half a garage space so we would just make that part storage and from the exterior no one would know.

Any realtors have strong feelings? If we did this we would hire out an interior designer and a proper construction crew. We would get it permitted.

Adding 100 SQ/ft would add 50k to our house value and I can’t see this project costing anywhere near that.

[Heidi]

Room for a small office in the backyard? Costco/Amazon sells them as pre-made I believe.

[Tikvah]

What about converting the 2 car garage with no house entry into living space. Add a bathroom and design it so it could be marketed as an in-law suite with separate entrance.

Annoying with no house entry as his personal office but it may be a compromise to keeping the low interest and bring value to the house.

[Nancy]

We would need a 2 story. A 2 story will drive me crazy. (What you said)

Or. It would be great to have a kids playroom but my husband needed an office.

I’m still stock on the “you’ve made $900,000 in 3 years”.
Have some toy storage in the parents room.

In a decorative way. They aren’t there 100% Maybe have a Murphy bed?

It goes up when they aren’t there.

Sounds like a move will cost you a LOT more than reworking your space or the garage change.

Heck. Build out the garage and if it negatively affects resale – take it out. Cheaper than moving to where you won’t be happy

That is if the homeowners associate won’t let the he shed count as a shed

[Jessica]

You don’t need a play room. I get the desire because I had one with my first but we didn’t with our two after and it was just fine. You can make play space in your kid’s rooms.

Also, with a space heater/cooler and some modular walling, you could do a garage office no problem.

I’d never want to move from a 1 floor to two if I could help it.

It sounds like you’ve got some luxury features in your home so I would really hesitate to get another at this time.

[Kelly]

Would it be possible to build a room in the garage that would allow the original garage to be restored, if the next owner so desired?

I don’t know your home specs, but considering it’s an office layout that you’re looking for – you won’t need plumbing, just electrical.

Maybe creatively build?

[Ashley]

Do the kids share a room or have their own room? It sounds to me like the best overall choice is to use the playroom as the office, but I have no idea how big these rooms are, if the kids share, etc.

Maybe there’s a way to split the room, giving an additional room, and theoretically more value to the home.

I’m sure there are ways to make it work, that don’t require changing the garage or having an outdoor shed, you just have to let go of some conveniences for the time being.

People all over the country and world do not have playrooms. Put the toys in other places, get rid of some, etc.

Utilize the space you have in a different way, which benefits your current circumstances, without the worry that the other changes possibly bring to the future.

The most basic and simple solution is usually the best, and that’s using what you already have available and going with less.

[Sarah]

i’d look at public worker co work spaces where u rent an office for a period of time. or rent a storage space so u have use of the 3rd car garage

[Jenny]

Have you spoken to an architect? My ex-bf is an architect and it never ceased to amaze me what creative ideas he had to design spaces that work for ppl.

Some ppl I know have converted 1/2 their garage into living space…illegally but it works for them…the walls can be removed if they were to sell the house.

My kids are now 11 & 13…but they never used the playrooms I had for them (one on each floor)… they basically stuck to me all the time…

[Stef]

At the price your house would eventually sell for, I’d think that the cost to convert it back to a garage would be fairly insignificant.

If it was an issue on selling. I say do what works for your family today.

[Enilda]

When I grew up, the neighbors had the garage set up as a gym, with painted floors, a commercial type carpet. We would play in the garage.

Why doesn’t your husband take the current playroom, and then you can make a playroom in the garage.

The children can use the garage playroom when a parent is able to go there and watch them, otherwise they can play in their room or common areas of the home.

[Chrissy]

I would convert it or just use another section of a room. I have my office desk in a corner of our bedroom because we have 3 bedrooms and two kids age 4 and 12.

[Alison]

I would definitely find a way to make it work at your current house and would not give up that interest rate.

Sounds like garage conversion is best option but would need to see floorplan/pics.

[Michelle]

Playroom should be an office. Your kids don’t need a dedicated space for their toys.

If you moved into your floor plan today, think about how you would reallocate the rooms.

Keep the house.

[Emma]

What about the nook? Per the layout that you posted, that seems like a place to go. Also, I’d consult a designer to get another perspective that you aren’t seeing especially regarding that garage conversion too.

It still would be cheaper than any other route.

My FI brain can’t get on board with selling and getting something different in this economy and with these interest rates. I’d make it work at the current house (by hook or by crook).

As be very very careful presenting or asking for approval before getting your information first through the HOA.

My mother in law just experienced something where other neighbors had done yet when she submitted her plans through her HOA, it was denied.

She created a target on her back bc they were on the lookout so wanted to come by and inspect.

She went forward anyway, lol just changed the plans.

[Jennifer]

That rate is amazing. With more folks working from home, I don’t see how the conversion would hurt you. If it does, tear it down but if it doesn’t, keep it.

For now you need it, so do it.

You’ll make a ton of money if/when you decide to sell, so do what works for your family while you are living in there now.

Not sure why you need 3 cars for 2 adults. I would make the existing house work.

Whether you use the one spot or two spots if you can get rid of one.

[Deb]

Can you park an RV in your garage and use that as the office? Then you can also take it on vacations and it would have multiple purposes.

[Dee]

Can you add working space in your bedroom? Space that is nicely sectioned off with furniture that closes and hides away the clutter/paper?

Make space in a closet (playroom closet?) for a nice small office?

Or does he need a dedicated separate space?

Where do you live? If it isn’t terrible weather space then would it work for him to just use the space in the garage that is not attached to the house?

[Caro]

Ditch the playroom. Personally we’re already over ours and the kids are almost 2 and 4.

They much rather be out and about where we are and I don’t want to be holed up back there often.

[Kay]

Make sturdy lofts in your children’s rooms and they can sleep up top and play underneath. Make them removable to take out if you sell.

Another thought, a Murphy bed for the kids’ rooms and the they have space to play n their rooms.

Also, you could put a Murphy bed in the guest room and use for an office.

In the evening, when your parents retire to their room pull the bed down.

[Mitch]

Are you able to speak to some professionals about ideas and estimates ? Maybe there’s some extra room that they can find.

From your other comments, I would try to make it work!

[Jess]

Personally, changing to a two story esp with young children isn’t worth it.

As for the office- does he need the dedicated space enclosed or does he need a desk with some storage?

I have found that the actual space I need for work isn’t as much as one might think.

Could a desk be put in the master bedroom?

We are in the process of purchasing a home, so this is something I have been factoring on when looking.

I don’t need a ton of space, but I do need a dedicated space.

That seems to be one of the better options if looking into a smaller home/more limited layout.

As for the garage- I am not familiar with your area, but my parents made a detached garage into a work area for them, then enclosed another attached garage to make almost a studio apartment.

For that house it seems like it has been beneficial even for resale, but it was largely done to fit their needs.

Another idea if you have the space- my dad and his wife enclosed a sitting/dining room to make his “man cave” which would also work for an office.

It just depends on what you have and what you utilize.

If it were me I would prefer to make my home work if that’s the only issue.

I hope you’re able to find something that works for you!

[Lj]

There’s no chance you’re getting that interest rate today, stick with what you have and stop worrying about the resale value if you alter the garage, more living space is more money, and if you really have to you can always change it back.

Why make things more complicated?

[Sue]

I’d do what I can to stay with that mortgage rate.
Can you make the garage with no internal entry an office space / man cave?

With 4 car garage space, an architect or draftsperson will be able to find some solutions.

[Jennifer]

My 1st thought is to ditch the play room…try that out for a while and see how it works.

While you are seeing how that works, consult a designer and/or architect to see what options they can come up with.

They will likely come up with ideas that would surprise you.

[Author]

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