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Making Your Basement Homey

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Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Premier Realty MN 20388398

Making Your Basement Homey

Many basements are cluttered, chaotic, dark and dingy areas of the house we often try to avoid.  Therefore, we have some tips to help make your basement homey so you'll want to visit and enjoy this extra space more often. 

When it's time to sell your home, especially in today's competitive real estate market, an expanded and dressed up living space can give your home a price boost above the others in your area.

As you approach the project, think about transforming this below-ground level into a higher-end living space.  Will you use this space for a family room? Play room? Office? Or, guest bedroom?

If your basement is cluttered, begin by decluttering the entire area.  Consider painting the walls a light color to help brighten the room.  You can also add travertine flooring, which is a step above concrete and cheap carpet. 

Your goal is to make the basement a place you want to spend time.  You can upgrade the basement's entryway to make it more appealing. Installing bright lighting will also enhance the room.  If you have an extremely large basement you may consider the addition of walls to separate the room into several rooms. 

Some basements retain a lot of moisture, which makes them smell dingy.  You can eliminate this moisture and make the air fresh with the addition of a dehumidifier. 

Basements usually lack adequate lighting so it's important to use bright bulbs and plenty of them.  Lots of light will help create a sense of open, airy space.

Potential buyers really like a well lit, nicely decorated basement that shows you put your special attention in it.

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Comments(6)

Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

My basement was unfinished when I bought the house. Now I have transformed it into a master suite with a spa bath. Love to go to bed each night now!

Oct 26, 2010 01:05 PM
Debra Davis
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Snellville, GA
Realtor - Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville, Loganville

Basements can be the best part of the house. Your photo is a beautiful example.

Oct 26, 2010 01:09 PM
Charlotte Bohner
Century21 Arizona West - Wickenburg, AZ

Basements are a struggle,   I have a listing with  the  Pool Table in the Middle,    not very exciting

 

Oct 26, 2010 01:10 PM
Patsy Overton
Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

These are all great points.  It's been my experience that a basement will not necessarily sell the home, but it can definitely prevent a sale!  My husband's office is in our basement.  Also, when my son turned 15 he moved down there into the (then) guest room.  Fortunately, we had the foresight to put in a full bath when we had the house built.  I think all these additions will not necessarily convince the buyers to buy, but will help warm them to another aspect of the home if they're already "feeling it."

Oct 26, 2010 01:10 PM
Myhang Gibson
Myhang Gibson (Premiere Mortgage Centre) - Oakville, ON
Oakville Mortgage Broker

Great suggestions! I found that basements with the best impact are the ones that don't look like basement, but an extension of the rest of the home as you've suggested.

Oct 26, 2010 01:31 PM
Dan Edward Phillips
Dan Edward Phillips, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA - Eureka, CA
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA

Hi Kristina, very good advice for home owners who have a basement!

Oct 26, 2010 10:05 PM