Question 1

Why buy a garage condo vs renting self storage or building more storage at home?

Accepted Answer

We get it, justifying an investment like this can be difficult, especially if that someone else is telling you all those reasons not to do it.  Here are some arguments for why it might make sense for you:

1. Value Appreciation: Unlike rented spaces, a Third Car Garage garage condo can appreciate in value over time, making it a potential investment, not just an expenditure.
2. Community & Networking: Third Car Garage garage condos is building a community of like-minded enthusiasts, allowing for networking, socializing, and knowledge-sharing.
3. Security: Third Car Garage offers top-notch security features, ensuring your belongings are safer than in a typical garage or mini-warehouse space. Additionally, garage condos experience less in/out traffic due to the limited number of units, contrasting with the frequent movement often seen in larger mini-storage facilities.  You'll know all your neighbors here.
4. A Getaway: Those with a cabin know the feeling - Stepping away from the daily stresses of home, a dedicated space for your collections allows you to fully immerse in your passion. This not only frees up space in your home garage or mini-storage unit, but ensures your collection is appreciated in an environment crafted for it.
5. Amenities: Third Car Garage garage condos have and offer premium amenities like 200 amp electrical service, climate control, lounge areas, and a shadow-free detail bay, which you wouldn't see a return on with a personal garage or rented space.
6. Space Management: Building a garage in your yard takes up valuable property space that could be used for other purposes like landscaping, a garden, a pool, or an outdoor kitchen.
7. Costs & Maintenance: Over time, personal garages may need repairs or upgrades. With a garage condo, common area maintenance is handled by the facility management, reducing hassle and unforeseen expenses.
8. Flexibility: If ever you decide to relocate, you won't have to worry about leaving behind a built and customized garage with a limited audience. Your collections can stay in your garage condo.  If you decide to relocate much further away, you can sell your garage condo, likely at a profit.
9. Aesthetic Appeal: Keeping your yard free from additional out-buildings will maintain the aesthetic appeal of your property and potentially its resale value.
10. Avoiding HOAs: Live in a neighborhood with a restrictive HOA?  We are sorry about that.  The good news is with a Garage Condo, you can keep living there while sidestepping those challenges.
11. ROI: Renting warehouse space or leasing a commercial building is a recurring expense with no return on investment, whereas owning a garage condo means you have an asset to your name.

Question 2

How much do the units cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs are dependent upon each site and the site amenities offered.

At our Sauk City site for our Phase 1 Development, units will start at $245 per square foot, so $245,000.  Combining two or more units will drop the price per square foot.

For specific pricing, please reach out for details.

Question 3

How big are the units?

Accepted Answer

Third Car Garage Condo units at our Sauk City site will come in one standard size of 1,000 square feet.  You can easily combine two or more units though (up to 8 units) which would give you 8,000 feet to show off your fleet of cars.  Don't forget, the minimum ceiling height in our units is 18', so you will also be able to add a mezzanine to your space for up to 1/3 the square footage size, giving you even more room to use.

If you're interested in a combined space, it's important to get in and reserve your units early.

Question 4

What are the hours of operation?

Accepted Answer

These are your units, you can come and go as you please - you just can't sleep or live in the units or make any unreasonable noise determined by local municipality noise regulations.  Same goes for the Owner's Clubhouse and Detail Bay.  I know I do my best car detailing at 3 in the morning...

Question 5

How is Third Car Garage secured?

Accepted Answer

There are multiple layers of security in place at Third Car Garage.

1. Perimeter Fencing: A high, robust fence around the entire facility to deter unauthorized entry.
2. Gated Access: Entrances and exits controlled by electronic gates that require a key card, fob, or access code.  Access to the site will be logged and multiple failed attempts will result in triggered alarms and notifications to authorities.
3. 24/7 Video Surveillance: High-resolution security cameras covering all angles of the exterior of the site and interiors of the Owner's Clubhouse and Detail Bay, with video feeds stored for an extended period. 
4. Common Area Lighting: All common areas will be lit overnight - enough to maintain proper security, but not enough to detract from the ambience of the site.
5. Secure Locking Mechanisms: All units' private doors will be individually keyed.  You will hold the only copies of those keys. All units garage doors will have individual openers with MyQ technology built in.  You will have the only access to your opener and MyQ information.
6. Bring Your Own Security: You also have the option of adding your own security system within the confines of your own unit.

Question 6

Where should I park?

Accepted Answer

The design allows for a single car to be parked directly outside of your unit.  Should you have a guest or two, they can park in the shared parking lot.  Please be respectful of the other owners - should you have a lot of guests, you're likely better off having them use street parking.  Parking overnight in shared parking may result in towing.  If you need long term parking, park inside your unit.  If you don't have enough space to do that, consider buying a second unit.

Question 7

What is a Garage Condo?

Accepted Answer

A garage condo, also known as a garage condominium and sometimes a storage condominium, is a type of real estate property that provides individual, private storage. showcase, or workspace units for owners. These units are similar in structure and design to traditional industrial garages but are typically larger and often more versatile.

Question 8

Can I have guests?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Owners are encouraged to proudly showcase their spaces. However, the number of guests in a unit should not exceed the limit set by the fire code.  Owners and guests are reminded of guidelines for excessive noise and the overall guideline of being courteous to your neighbors both within and outside of Third Car Garage.

Parking for Guests: Guests are welcome to utilize the shared parking within the premises. Owners are responsible for opening and closing the gate for guest access.  Nevertheless, at any given time, guest vehicles should not occupy more than half of the total shared parking spaces. This ensures that other owners can also accommodate their guests. Additional parking options are available on the street.

Owner's Clubhouse Access: Owners may bring a reasonable amount of guests to enjoy the clubhouse with them.  Owner's must be present in the clubhouse while their guests are there.

Owner's Responsibility: Owners are held accountable for the behavior and actions of their guests. If a guest becomes disruptive, causes damage, or in any way impacts the community negatively, the association reserves the right to impose fines on the respective owner to cover any associated costs or damages as well as to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Question 9

What's the Garage Condo Association? What are my responsibilities?  What will it cost?

Accepted Answer

If you're an owner, you will be a voting member of the Garage Condo Association and can also choose to run for a board position. Lessees do not have voting rights, but can attend non-private open Condo Owner Association meetings.

The Association will be responsible for things like:
1. Budget Approval - covering things like maintenance costs, insurance premiums for the site and common areas, etc.
2. Special Assessments - covering how to cover costs for unexpected expenses
3. Election of Board Members - The Board is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the Association where applicable
4. Amendments to By-laws and Rules - for example: outdoor parking regulations, reserving the Owner's Clubhouse for private events, etc.
5. Capital Improvements - repaving/sealing/painting drives and parking areas
6. Insurance Decisions - selecting insurance providers and coverage levels
7. Rule Violations and Penalties - should an owner violate a rule or policy, the Association may need to vote on enforcement actions and penalties
8. Approvals for non-standard use - Owners may want to use their condos for things like an woodshop.  It will be up to the site's association to approve/deny these requests.  Some approvals may require a 3/4 majority vote to pass

It's essential for garage condo owners to be actively involved in the association's decision-making process, as these votes can have a significant impact on the community, its maintenance, and its financial stability.   The goal is to keep condo fees as low as possible to ensure proper site maintenance and any shared utility fees for the Clubhouse and Detail Bay.  Target is $75/month with the first year free.

Question 10

Can I live or sleep in my unit?

Accepted Answer

Live in the units? Absolutely not.

Sleep in the units? The occasional naps are good to go.

We must follow all city regulations.

Question 11

Can I run a business from my unit?

Accepted Answer

Short answer, no, with a couple exceptions.

These units are primarily meant for you to enjoy with your family, friends, and other enthusiasts within the Third Car Garage community.  These units are not meant to be your location for manufacturing, assembly, running repair services as a business, or as a retail location.  Use of the Detail Bay for profit is strictly prohibited.  Having in-and-out customers or employees is prohibited.

Working on your own car?  Go to town, but if what you're doing creates excessive continuous noise, dust, or odors, you're better off at a different location.

Have a client or two you want to bring over and show your space or to watch a game at the Owner's Clubhouse?  Go for it.

Just want to use the space as your personal office without employees or customers coming and going?  That'd be fine as well.

Need to make a few things inside your unit that would not cause excessive/persistent noise, fumes, or dust that you'll sell at the local craft fair or your small Etsy shop?  That would most likely be OK as well, but if it becomes a nuisance, you may need to tone it down for the sake of the other owners.

Question 12

Can I store items or put a sign outside my unit?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 13

Can I smoke in my unit, the Owner's Clubhouse, or the Detail Bay?

Accepted Answer

We are looking into local/state regulations for this.

No smoking will be allowed in the Detail Bay.

Cigars  might be allowed in the Clubhouse.  The Clubhouse is a Private Clubhouse, so we should be OK.  If local/state regulations allow it, then we would leave the final decision up to the Condo Association by 3/4 majority vote.

Smoking within private units will likely be allowed, though if smoke causes issues with other Third Car neighboring units, restrictions may be put in place at the discretion of the Condo Association.

Continued Compliance: Remember, even with initial approval, should subsequent concerns arise about smoking causing disturbances or issues, the Condo Association retains the right to vote on and potentially revoke the privilege.

Question 14

Can I host a private party at the Owner's Clubhouse?

Accepted Answer

Yes, owners can reserve the Owner's Clubhouse for private events. However, there will be associated fees, which are yet to be determined.  The fees are not meant to turn a profit for anyone though, so you can expect them to be low.

Blackout Dates: There are specific dates, such as Super Bowl Sunday, where the Clubhouse is reserved for the broader Third Car Garage community. On these dates, owners can enjoy the Clubhouse with their family and friends in a communal setting. Should an owner wish to host a private event on one of these blackout dates, they must obtain a 3/4 majority approval from the condo owners.

Parking Limitations: Parking for private events will be restricted to half of the available shared parking spots to ensure availability for other members of the community.

Post-Event Cleanup: The host is responsible for cleaning up after their private event. An optional cleaning service is available and can be added to the event fee. If the host chooses not to purchase this service and the Clubhouse is left in an unsatisfactory condition post-event, a mandatory cleaning fee will be charged. This fee will be higher than the optional cleaning service rate.

Question 15

Can I customize the interior of my unit?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, go nuts.  If you are intending to secure large/heavy items to the walls or ceiling, you should reach out to Third Car Garage leadership to ensure your item will not cause any damage to the building's structure, otherwise, damage to structural components is going to cost you.

CONTACT US

Inquiries

For any inquiries, questions, or to schedule a visit, please call Dean Slaby at 608-333-4130 or fill out the form here. Tell Dean that Tom sent you.

Address

Community Drive
Sauk City, WI 12345
info@thirdcargarage.com
Tel: 608-333-4130

CONTACT US

Inquiries

For any inquiries, questions, or to schedule a visit, please call Dean Slaby at 608-333-4130 or fill out the form here. Tell Dean that Tom sent you.

Address

Community Drive Sauk City, WI 12345 info@thirdcargarage.com Tel: 608-333-4130

Community Drive
Sauk City, WI 12345
info@thirdcargarage.com
Tel: 608-333-4130