Home Buying Advice

mhwood · April 2012

So, my husband and I looked at a house today....we saw the potential in it. But I need some advice....

It's a raised bungalow on a huge lot, technically it's 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

The bedrooms on the main floor are small, however the basement is MASSIVE. It has 10 ft. ceilings, above grade windows, etc.

The thought was to finish the basement making 3 bedrooms plus a media room, then use the bedrooms on the main floor for other things (guest bedroom, office and pantry/storage).

What are your thoughts on having an "upside down house" - bedrooms in the basement?

MommyLiberty5013 · April 2012

If the bedrooms don't feel like they are in a basement (not musty, dark, yucky, etc.) , then I'd be okay with it. The windows are key - are they full-sized windows as on teh rest of the home or just the basement-sized windows or a little larger?

riiskybusiness · April 2012

Honestly, I ADORE basements. I would personally jump on it. The one downside to the area I moved to is the lack of basements. However, you need to consider your own preferences. It is your home- will you enjoy this set up? If you will, go for it! But if it is a problem for you, I would recommend you keep looking.

SCBride2007 · April 2012

I agree with PP, as long as the rooms are not dark and cave-like then I think it will r good. We just passed on a gorgeous house because the two bedroom in the basement had NO windows. It was creepy and awful.

Sisugal · April 2012

Check with your local building codes. At minimum he bedrooms will need egress windows to be considered legal bedrooms.

srs5624 · April 2012

If you're worried about re-sale, then check your local zoning. Some areas don't consider a finished basement to be legitimate living space unless certain criteria are met (% above grade, number and size of windows, walk-out exit, for example).

If you aren't worried about re-sale, then make the house comfortable for you.

marriedonmaui · April 2012

We have a house similar to what you are describing, and we love that we have a huge lot and the house is adorable with a lot of character. We are just keeping the basement unfinished and using the bedrooms upstairs but I don't see any problems with finishing it off and making those bedrooms. When you sell in the future, the buyers can do whatever they want with those rooms-- they aren't tied into the set up that you are using.

brianabrad · April 2012

My only concern would be later in life if you want to have children in the home will you be in the basement and then all other rooms on the main level? We saw a home that had a main floor master and bedrooms up, which I know is a very common and desirable feature for some, but for me all I could think about was doing those stairs ten times a night when we have little ones. If we already had children or had teenagers I could see it being nice for them to have their own separate space.

mhwood · April 2012

Everything has been done completely legally and it is definitely not basementy...it's not musty or damp at all. Our realtor showed us copies of all the paperwork from the town saying that it is considered legal living space, it could even be turned into a basement apartment if we wanted.

The windows are full sized, like you would find on an above ground floor of a house. When you are standing on the ground outside the house, the tops of the windows come to my chin (and I'm 5 ft. 2).

As far as re-sale goes, upstairs there are 3 bedrooms, we would just re-purpose them and build the 2 (possibly 3) extra bedrooms plus a bonus room.

We have a 15 year old daughter, and are torn on having another baby.

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