3 Reasons to Opt for a Finished Basement
Real estate is a buyer's market these days, even as the market rebounds. As a buyer, you probably feel like any home is within your grasp, and depending on your budget, it very well could be. Instead of rushing out to buy the first house that catches your fancy, why not take advantage of the market and spend a little extra time finding the house of your dreams? You're going to live there for five, ten, fifteen years or maybe much longer. You may raise a family there or you may live out your retirement years. Opt only for the best and you won't be stuck with having to move or perform a costly remodel later.
One of the most important things you should be looking for, something that may not even be on the top of your wish list - even though it should be - is a furnished basement. Yes, you could pay extra to remodel an otherwise dingy basement, but the homes built to include a furnished basement are less likely to cause you problems, such as hidden mold and leaking pipes. Some of the best home builders include a furnished basement free of charge, so it's worth investing in a new home designed to meet your needs.
Safer Storage
What use do you have for a furnished basement, you might think, if all you want to do is keep your holiday decorations, collectibles or extra items in storage there? A furnished basement is a much better storage area than an unfurnished basement because dampness is less likely to be a problem. Even in basements that never suffer from something as obvious as a burst pipe, the dank, dark cement-filled area is likely to attract dampness and bad smells. These scents and dampness permeate the things you store there, rendering collectibles worthless and holiday decorations unsanitary.
A furnished basement offers the same protection an upstairs closet or room might offer, but you can keep those items you don't often use out of the way. Since you won't have to pay for outside storage, a furnished basement quickly pays for itself.
Easily Convertible
A furnished basement is the ideal spot for a family room, a rec room, a TV room or a room to entertain guests. When your basement is furnished, the possibilities are almost endless, and you can easily convert the area from one use to another. For example, if one of your kids is growing older and wants more private space or an adult child moves back into the home, a furnished basement can prove a comfortable room or miniature apartment that offers more privacy than rooms upstairs. You can even make money letting a new roommate move in if you're willing to share the kitchen area and bathrooms upstairs with him.
More Comfortable Pet Area
Not everyone likes to allow their pets to sleep with them, as pet fur, dander and saliva can prove untidy and make even minor allergies flare up. Some pet owners also find keeping pets outdoors preferable to letting them roam the house, especially when unsupervised, so they don't have to clean as often. Rather than keeping them outside - not every day offers clement weather, after all - or dealing with scratching paws at your bedroom door each night, put them €to bed€ in a comfortable furnished basement while you sleep or are away. They'll stay warm and won't be at risk of breathing in dampness and mildew that exist in other basements. They'll keep all or most of their messes down there, too, and it's a great out of-the-way location to store a litter box.
Work with a home builder to design the perfect home, from furnished basement to spacey attic. Or if you can't wait for the house to be built, see what communities already have homes built in the home builder's most popular designs. Years from now, after you've enjoyed your furnished basement nearly every day, you'll be glad you took the time to find the right home.
One of the most important things you should be looking for, something that may not even be on the top of your wish list - even though it should be - is a furnished basement. Yes, you could pay extra to remodel an otherwise dingy basement, but the homes built to include a furnished basement are less likely to cause you problems, such as hidden mold and leaking pipes. Some of the best home builders include a furnished basement free of charge, so it's worth investing in a new home designed to meet your needs.
Safer Storage
What use do you have for a furnished basement, you might think, if all you want to do is keep your holiday decorations, collectibles or extra items in storage there? A furnished basement is a much better storage area than an unfurnished basement because dampness is less likely to be a problem. Even in basements that never suffer from something as obvious as a burst pipe, the dank, dark cement-filled area is likely to attract dampness and bad smells. These scents and dampness permeate the things you store there, rendering collectibles worthless and holiday decorations unsanitary.
A furnished basement offers the same protection an upstairs closet or room might offer, but you can keep those items you don't often use out of the way. Since you won't have to pay for outside storage, a furnished basement quickly pays for itself.
Easily Convertible
A furnished basement is the ideal spot for a family room, a rec room, a TV room or a room to entertain guests. When your basement is furnished, the possibilities are almost endless, and you can easily convert the area from one use to another. For example, if one of your kids is growing older and wants more private space or an adult child moves back into the home, a furnished basement can prove a comfortable room or miniature apartment that offers more privacy than rooms upstairs. You can even make money letting a new roommate move in if you're willing to share the kitchen area and bathrooms upstairs with him.
More Comfortable Pet Area
Not everyone likes to allow their pets to sleep with them, as pet fur, dander and saliva can prove untidy and make even minor allergies flare up. Some pet owners also find keeping pets outdoors preferable to letting them roam the house, especially when unsupervised, so they don't have to clean as often. Rather than keeping them outside - not every day offers clement weather, after all - or dealing with scratching paws at your bedroom door each night, put them €to bed€ in a comfortable furnished basement while you sleep or are away. They'll stay warm and won't be at risk of breathing in dampness and mildew that exist in other basements. They'll keep all or most of their messes down there, too, and it's a great out of-the-way location to store a litter box.
Work with a home builder to design the perfect home, from furnished basement to spacey attic. Or if you can't wait for the house to be built, see what communities already have homes built in the home builder's most popular designs. Years from now, after you've enjoyed your furnished basement nearly every day, you'll be glad you took the time to find the right home.
