Garages and Bathrooms: Somebody Doesn't Get It

We've been house hunting and hunting and hunting in northern Illinois / southern Wisconsin since May. We're finally going to close on one this coming Monday (OMG. FINALLY. We've been trying to buy this silly house since JULY ... but I'll leave that frickin'-frackin' story for another time.) We've seen lots of houses. And I do mean lots. Now, I've lived in Colorado for the past 30-some years, and many of these midwestern houses confuse me.

First, understand that we're looking in the "starter home" price range. Meaning cheap. Having just gotten out of 26+ year marriages, being newly married, and having 3 kids in college tends to put a bit of a damper on finances. So we look at simple "3 beds, 2 baths, with a garage" houses. Easy, right?

Apparently not. What's with the dearth of garages and bathrooms, you guys? For instance, here's one. The ad reads:

Home is excellent condition. Corner fireplace in Living Room. Spacious deck nicely shaded by all the trees. 4 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. Extra deep 1 car garage.




A 1 Car Garage? For a 4 bedroom home? Only 1 person in this family has a car? And what's with this 'extra-deep' thing? Is is a tandem garage? "Honey, you pull in first, I'll pull in second, and if you have to leave earlier than I do, we'll just go out and play leapfrog with the vehicles."

Many of the houses in the midwest are 40-60 years old. I know the lots aren't always big enough to accommodate a garage. But, even when they have enough land, they still don't install a garage.

Cottage retreat, first time offered! 4 bedroom, 1 bath, on 3 wooded lots. 940 sq. ft of cozy living space. Lake rights included.




4 bedrooms, but only 1 bathroom? Honey, at my age, if there's more than one person in the house, you need 2 bathrooms. The sprawling 940 sq. ft of living space isn't doing much for me either.

3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths! --- but is this not the ugliest house in existence? It looks like some sheet-metal-sided industrial building. Woof. Strangely enough, the inside is beautiful. Here, quick, go look for yourself before the link expires. Now, the house is built on a hill and has no garage ... and no parking spaces except on the curved street out front (we drove over and looked). The backyard is way too steep for a helicopter landing pad, so I'm not sure what you're supposed to do with your car? Park it in the street for Drivers' Ed target practice? Sell it and parachute in?

Great 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with lake rights. Vaulted tongue and groove wood ceilings in Kitchen, Dining, and Family Room. Granite Countertops, SS appliances, double sided fireplace. Finished Walkout Basement with bar and another fireplace. 2 Large decks on both levels. MUST SEE.

One more garage oddity. My hubby isn't puzzling over this, but I sure am.

On houses ranging from the 1950s -- 1980s, we keep seeing a small garage door built right next to the big garage door. There's already a small door inside the garage leading to the back yard.

What's the purpose of this additional front door, a mere 15 feet from the front entrance?