How to Find a NYC Townhouse with Garage

— Here we discuss the various benefits of owning a NYC townhouse with garage and the drawbacks associated with them.

— We discuss how many townhouses with parking are for sale in Manhattan below 96th Street.

— The Secret two-block area of upper manhattan with townhouse parking.

The What’s App message on my phone said — “I am looking for a 2,500 square foot house with a 2-car garage in midtown.”

“I can’t help you find that ” I responded.

Clearly annoyed, the inquisitor responded, “why not? I am paying all cash!”

I replied “Because it doesn’t exist!”

A free parking space, while standard in much of the country, is a rare find in Manhattan — and never mind a two-car garage, those are practically non-existent.

Of course, there are plenty of condos that offer parking spaces for sale to those purchasing in the building. Once you have paid the price to secure your spot there will also be a monthly fee for maintaining your space. This may include anything from simply paying for the outdoor lot to be cleaned and secured to the more luxurious 24-hour attendant ready to bring your car to you when you are ready.

There are plenty of buildings throughout the city with a garage in the basement or next-door which may have spaces available for lease, but they are almost never free. On rare occasions a building may get preferential treatment but as the vast majority of garages are run by a third party, you should expect to pay the full monthly charge.

What can you expect to pay? Approximately $250 – $1,000 per month depending on the neighborhood and the size of your car. Exotic luxury cars and large SUVs always incur a higher charge. New on the parking scene over the past decade are electric charging stations. Don’t assume your garage of choice has one before securing your spot.

How many NYC townhouses with garages are for sale?

If you want to purchase a townhouse, there are some that have their own garages incorporated into the property. Right now, there are nine townhouses in Manhattan for sale below 96th Street with private garages priced from $9,500,000 – $22,500,000.

The Secret two-block area of upper manhattan with townhouse parking

In Northern Manhattan you can find some Harlem brownstones with their own garages at a fraction of the price. For example, 231 West 139th Street is a stunning home on Strivers Row priced at $2,575,000 and it has a garage big enough to fit two cars! Strivers Row was built over a century ago and if you go visit these famed blocks on 138th and 139th Street you can still see the mid-block entrances, with the words, “Private Row, Walk Your Horses.” On these blocks an access road was built behind the townhouses and today, what were the stables have now been turned into garages.

Needless to say, a parking spot is a huge benefit in New York City where most car owners juggle alternate side of the street parking times where they must move their cars to allow for street cleaning or scheduling times for car pick up with a busy garage attendant.

In order to maximize the space, many owners along these blocks have turned the roof of their garages into glorious gardens with an access door from their home on the parlor level.

Bear in mind while your parking space comes with the house and is incorporated into the deed, you are paying taxes on that land and you will pay for upkeep. It’s not free,  simply incredibly convenient.

The other downside of a garage is the back of your first floor, typically referred to as the garden level, will not get much natural sunlight because of the garage. Many find this a small sacrifice for the huge convenience of having their car ready to go at any time.

All in all, finding a townhouse with a garage or parking is not as unattainable as it may seem. If you are looking for convenience, affordability and security to store your car, then finding a townhouse with a garage or parking can be the perfect option for you.

Here we discussed the various benefits of owning a townhouse with these features and the drawbacks associated with them. Remember that the perfect townhouse fit for yourself is out there just waiting to be found!

Take the time to look through listings especially if you need more details about parking space and garages or even if you want to compare different options. Questions? Please reach out.

By providing a comprehensive guide to the best neighborhoods in NYC and addressing common concerns, this blog aims to equip readers with the knowledge and insights necessary to make an informed decision when buying property in the city.