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What is a Texas Basement?

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene 0512346

I grew up in the Midwest and in our house we had a basement. I would have to say that our basement's main purposes of use were storage and as a hang out room for the kids. In the summer, we spent a lot of time in the basement because it was always the coolest room in the house.

In Spring TX, our homes do not have the typical underground basements because the water table is too high or in other words the soil depth is too thin making it unpractical. So the question begs what do we do for storage space and where in the house do the kids hang out. You will find that a lot of people use at least one bay of their garage for storage. Some homes have what is called a "Texas Basement" which is used for storage. A Texas Basement is floored attic space that is typically accessible via a hallway or closet on the second floor. In some homes, the Texas Basement is accessible via a separate stairways in the garage and the floored attic space is the space above the garage.

As for the space in the house for the kids to hang out, that is the game room. In Spring TX, we have plenty of homes that have a game room. We do not have as many homes with a Texas Basement, but we are starting to see more Texas Basements or hidden storage rooms in the floor plans of newer construction homes.

Jill Wente - for all your Spring TX Real Estate needs
Realtor

(281) 804-8626

jwente@garygreene.com
Spring TX Real Estate Blog
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Hi, Jill...We had basements when we lived in Chicago and Kansas. Since moving here to WA State, we haven't been able to park our cars in the garage! We miss our basements!

Our family grew up in the SF Bay Area in the Livermore Wine Country, and we were good friends with the Wente family, well-known CA wine growers. Any relation?

Oct 09, 2007 09:15 AM
Jill Wente
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene - Spring, TX
Realtor, CRS, MCNE, CHMS

Hi Rich... I grew up in Central Illinois and the two houses that I grew up in both had basements. In Spring TX, if it is a two car family you usually always see at least one car in the driveway including my driveway.

Lucky you to have grown up in the SF Bay Area. I am distant relations to the Wentes of Wente Bros Wine. Unforunately, it is too distant to get me in discounts. I have been to the winery several times and not only do they make good wine they also have an excellent restaurant.

Oct 09, 2007 09:27 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
My niece was married there this past July. My grandmother was live-in housekeeper/cook for Ernest Wente, the 2nd generation. My sister was good friends with Carol, 3rd generation. They've built up a very solid business with wine, restaurant, golf, concert series, weddings, etc.. I don't get any discounts either!!!
Oct 09, 2007 10:00 AM