Why all four bedroom homes are not the same? or how to count TRUE bedrooms! In Atlanta & Sandy Springs, GA, the First Multiple Listing Service offers an incredible wealth of knowledge about residential real estate for sale and/or lease. The one drawback is that the number of bedrooms that is usually searched on is total bedrooms or total bathrooms for that matter.
Looking at total bedrooms of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, you might think your list would be apples to apples. But is it? Well, I would say no, IF the configuration of bedrooms in one home is all main level or higher (2nd floor) verses one that offers it's fourth bedroom and other bathroom in the basement!
Bedroom and bathrooms in the basement are a nice extra, but they don't compare in terms of appraisal and true living space to a home that offers all four bedrooms at or above the main level. Over the past couple years, appraisers have removed bedrooms in the basement from their configurations. One reason, is that the basement doesn't meet the same tests as one on the main levels might - such as offering a closet, windows and reasonable access to a full bathroom. So, they might show as a bedroom on the MLS, but aren't really in the way that counts. Another issue is the basement space and does it stay dry when it rains? Hard to count a basement bedroom that gets water as a true fourth bedroom!
If one has three children and wants them all to have their own bedrooms, they are a lot less likely to put a small child in the 4th basement bedroom than on the same level with everyone else. Now, teenagers or young adults, that's another story, but they want space!
Let's look at square footage and price points! In almost every case the homes in the same neighborhoods that were true four bedrooms had an average of 500 to 600 more sq footage than their three bedroom counterparts. Accordingly, the home prices are always higher for the larger four bedroom homes in the same condition and lot size verses the smaller three bedroom homes!
With today's home requirements, that fourth bedroom comes in handy for a number of uses from children to office to exercise to guest bedroom. It's up to you how you want to use the space.
What do you say, are all four bedroom homes the same?
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