The age old question of whether to invest in finishing a basement…

The basement of a home offers many possibilities for homeowners looking to expand the livable square footage of a home.  Unfinished basements are perfect spaces for workout rooms, storage, or a workshop.  On the other hand, finished basements add square footage and value to your home when they include bedrooms and bathrooms.  If you are trying to determine if finishing the basement in your Locust Grove house is the way to go, then here are some things to consider.   

Will I get a return on the money I invest in finishing the basement?

Finishing a basement and adding more square footage to the livable space in your home always adds value.  It may not only add value to the equity in your home, but it also may add value to your family.  If you are lacking storage space for your children’s toys or are tired of frantically cleaning up everything before guests come to your home, then finishing the basement and creating a rec room for children would be a positive addition to your home.  Likewise if you need an office, bedroom, or other space, then finishing the basement in your Locust Grove house would be beneficial.

Of course, this all comes at a cost.  When it is time to sell your Locust Grove house, you can expect to recoup about seventy percent (this national figure does vary due to location and the depth of your personal home project) of your investment.  

What spaces should I include when finishing the basement?

While the answer to this might depend on what is already in your home, popular spaces to include in a finished basement include a bedroom, bathroom (many homes already have the rough plumbing in place for this), and a rec room space.  An additional bedroom and bathroom will add value to your home.  The rec room space in your Locust Grove house can be altered to suit your needs as they change.  It may start out as a place for children and then transform into an office or even gym.

What should I consider when finishing the basement for resale?

Basements can be darker spaces in a home since they are partially underground.  Lighting is important.  Installing recessed lighting is a great way to keep the space bright.  Many building codes, which vary from location to location, will require that a bedroom has an egress window in it.  If not, then the room cannot be described as a bedroom when you sell your Locust Grove house.  It is also important to consider the type of flooring that you place in a basement.  Some are better than others.  Finally, you may need to look into your home’s heating and cooling systems.  The one you have may not have been designed to also support controlling the climate in the basement. 

Do I have to finish the entire basement?

If it is not in your budget to finish the entire basement, you can consider a partially finished basement.  Many people like to retain a mechanical room area where they can have storage and finish a room in the basement.  While this won’t add as much value to your home as a completely finished basement, it may be worth the cost when thinking about the functionality of your Locust Grove house.

Will buyers look for a finished basement?

I don’t know! Some buyers are interested in having a finished basement while others prefer an unfinished space. While knowing that a finished space will add value to your home is important, at the end of the day, you need to make the decision based on what is best for you and everyone in your Locust Grove house.