Hello, Brandilynn.

All the previous answers are very good! I just want to add my voice to Marika's comments. In order for the enclosed garage to be counted as additional square footage of the home here in SC, it must be heated and cooled - no window units - AND finished to the same standard as the rest of the house. If you do all this, the "added value" to your home will probably only be ABOUT what you have spent. The only time I have seen an enclosed garage add more value is when the square footage of the home was unusually small, and there was also plenty of additional off-street parking. If your home is adequate size, comparable to other homes in the neighborhood, I would agree with Marika that Buyers prefer a garage to an extra enclosed space. That always leaves their options open - then they can enclose and finish it however they like.

If this still doesn't answer your question, you should consider calling a Realtor to come give you a market analysis of your home - as is, and with the enclosed garage.

Best of success to you!

I may have misinterpreted your question. Are you talking about enclosing the garage and making it part of the house (another room) and eliminating the garage all together? If so, then you may be lowering the value of your home. You would have a house without a garage. Most buyers will want the garage over the extra room.

What ever you do, if you do it, make sure you do it with proper approved permits from the local city planning/building permits department. Otherwise, there will be no value.

It doesn't matter if you're enclosing the garage in SC or in CA, the "legitimacy" of the addition gives you and the next homeowner of the property the greatest value.

Keep copies of all paper work (architect plans/drawings, approved permits, inspections, etc) then give them to the appraiser, if/when you decide to sell your home. The appraiser then have ample proof to "add" value to the additional square footage. It may not be the same value as your current living room, but there will be "legitimate" value, which then adds to the overall "worth" value of your home.

I hope the information helps.

Leave it a garage. I rarely see enclosed garages that flow well with the house and MANY buyers just don't find it appealing. I have never had a buyer who bought a house that had an enclosed garage, even though we have been through several. In my opinion, it may hurt your ability to sell down the road. I would be curious to hear other agents experiences with enclosed garages.

Typically only living space is included in square footage of a house. Most places don't included the basement (or below grade living space) either when figuring square footage.

If you are talking about making the garage an attached garage (part of the main house structure with an entrance into the home), then it may. Some people prefer a house with an attached garage and this may add value by making it more desireable over a detached garage.