20 x 20 would be 400 .Sometimes carports don't have the best roofs,  They need to be beefed up with extra supportto take on the extra weight of the conversion. 

I'd also weight the liquidity of the investment in considering your potential return.... if you lock yourself in for a year and there is a favourable shift in the RE market or in your financial situation, you won't be able to act...

When I buy I understand the property is now mine which is a plus but also a minus when it comes to up keep.

That being said, I don't think an appraiser will put much weight on outdoor amenities.

But then you will need to upkeep it on an annual basis with the state's fees, usually in the form of some annual report (takes a minute or two, usually just online). 

If you are into flipping houses or into building houses, or really hands on with the up keep of houses would you help me?

I think the most recent number I read was from 1 to 3% as an average for total upkeep costs (which would include CapEx). 

There must be a reason though, cost, weight, etc. 

Keep your chin up, keep your balances low, and pay your bills on time. 

Sure, the risk went up, but the goal of the asset protections should be weighted with the hassle factor, cost, likelihood of losing your assets also, IMO.