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The Unfinished Basement

By
Home Stager

So many sellers ignore that unfinished basement when they market their home.

During the consult they are surprised when I want to go down there to take a look.

The truth is unfinished basements are full of potential and should be presented properly.

Buyers need to see the possibilities for future development.

Show the buyers the available floor space so they can get an idea of how much room there is for that man cave or recreational room for the kids.

Keep your storage against the walls.

Make sure they can get to the furnace, breaker box and water heater.

Show off those roughed-in fireplaces and bathrooms.

Show the buyer where and extra bedroom or home office could go.

Most sellers have extra furniture already stored in the basement so use it to your best advantage.

Make sure the heat vents are open down there while you are on the market.

Make sure there is plenty of light and paint those stairs to show the buyer you take care of your home from top to bottom.

If the kitty litter box is down there, keep it clean and in a discrete place.

Take the dampness out of the air with a dehumidifier. Clean the windows so that light comes through.

Show the buyer a bright, dry, clean area ready for development.

Show off that potential space.

 

 

 

Posted by

Retired Home Stager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(18)

Lisa Ludlow Archer
Live Love Homes-Keller Williams, Charlotte, NC Ballantyne Area - Waxhaw, NC

Janice:

When we get buyers coming from the North they always expect that we have basements. Since we have very few these are diamonds in the rough for many of these buyers.

Oct 25, 2010 08:45 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Lisa, they are diamonds in the rough. I wouldn't know what to do without a basement!

Oct 25, 2010 08:47 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

The few basements we see here in middle GA are usually already finished but your tips are spot-on even when the space is renovated...neat, clean, and tidy are always good qualities for a room/space.

Oct 25, 2010 08:54 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Thanks Anita.

Oct 25, 2010 08:57 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

What great advice.  So often we really don't think about the basement as a feature of the house when it's unfinished and that's when it has the most potential...it can be ANYTHING!

Oct 25, 2010 08:57 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

That's right Donna! It's especially important when selling a small home. There is valuable space down there that takes less money to develop than an addition.

Oct 25, 2010 09:02 AM
Not In Real Estate Any Longer
Autaugaville, AL

One other tip if I may - if you have a dropped ceiling in your basement, ditch it! I'm a short gal, but dropped ceilings make even me feel claustrophobic ;)

Oct 25, 2010 09:22 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Dropped ceilings can make you feel claustrophobic. Personally, I'd rather see the ceiling drop over duct work and then go back up to a higher height. This usually isn't an issue in an unfinished basement since the ceiling area is still open.

Oct 25, 2010 11:54 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great advice.  This space is often overlooked and underestimated.  Clean windows and painted stairs in the basement will really send a message to buyers...the house has been well maintained!

Oct 25, 2010 12:10 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Janice - Basement staging is very important.  Great tips for home sellers.

Oct 25, 2010 03:19 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

I miss having a basement, they add so much square feet or storage to a home.  We always used a dehumidifer too, very important tip!

Oct 25, 2010 07:22 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Sharon, I agree. Those subtle messages are so important.

Thanks Marc.

Cindy, storage and room for expansion are important to buyers. Most basements have a certain amount of moisture even if they are not wet. The dehumidifier brings it to an upper floor level of comfort.

Oct 26, 2010 03:14 AM
Valerie Sagheddu
Apostle Art Home Staging & Design - Stroudsburg, PA
~Home Staging Professional, Poconos, PA

Sellers are always surprised when I tell them I want to see the basement or garage. I ask them...Are you not selling the basement with the house??" Every space deserves attention!!

 

Oct 27, 2010 12:02 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

I agree Valerie! The buyer wants to see that the whole house functions.

Oct 27, 2010 03:11 AM
Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Janice, very good advice especially if a potential buyer is thinking of renovating.

Ty

Oct 27, 2010 05:13 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Thanks Ty.

Oct 27, 2010 05:19 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Valerie, I know what you mean about air circulation. I find some owners shut off the heat vents and air return vents to conserve and the basement becomes stale and dank. When you sell the basement needs to feel like the upper floors as much as possible.

Oct 30, 2010 04:03 AM