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Fred Hafdelin (Weichert Realtors)

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Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

We discussed this here in opposite last week. I have a 6BR & no one was looking at it. I never consider the basement BR's as countable. Most of the time they are illegal like the fire marshall says. 3BR plus bonus room, den, whatever.

Sep 24, 2016 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Big basement with bonus space!

Sep 24, 2016 10:19 PM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Lots of good answers where. I am with Mike & Eve Alexander - call it like it is ... two non conforming rooms in basement. Then if you so desire ... fluff it up with possible uses for the rooms.

Sep 25, 2016 01:40 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

why not just call it as it is.

2 NON-CONFORMING rooms in basement.

Eve

 

Sep 25, 2016 12:53 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Play or room storages, sewing or, hobby rooms etc. Suggestions with no fact

Sep 24, 2016 11:57 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,556
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I'd call it a basement with separate rooms -- the possibilities await.   

Sep 24, 2016 11:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Fred Hafdelin I would list it a full finished lower level with additional rooms that can be used for workout space, office, den, etc.

Sep 24, 2016 11:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Study rooms for the kids that will be actually used for games.

Sep 24, 2016 10:27 PM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Finished rooms in basement.

Sep 24, 2016 10:25 PM
Ambassador
6,392,889
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I run into this problem with a few of our rentals, some folks will try to use these as bedrooms nomatter what I call them. 

If I catch them doing it then they are out, far too much liability in the event of a disaster.

Sep 25, 2016 08:45 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

What Mike & Eve Alexander said.

   Give written disclosure re: the Fire Marshall's determination.

Sep 25, 2016 08:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

they can still be usable rooms, if they have the proper ventilation!!! den, rec room, study, etc....just not sleeping quarters....

Sep 25, 2016 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Just be honest with other agents. What a successful buyer does with these two rooms after closing is their business. Seller must understand the position you are in with this.

Sep 25, 2016 02:53 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

There are great suggestions here, and they are all viable. A

Sep 25, 2016 01:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Just describe those rooms as "flex" space. But don't under any circumstance call them bedrooms even if they are currently used that way.

Sep 24, 2016 11:08 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I agree with others that suggest the other potential uses for these rooms.

Sep 24, 2016 11:04 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,579
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I would assign uses to them - one is the den and one is the home office or whatever your MLS has as another room - 

Sep 24, 2016 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,333
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I vote for Sally K. & David L. Hanson suggestion! We do not have basements so I find the comments interesting.

Sep 24, 2016 10:40 PM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Finished lower level with many options for use...the pictures will help tell the story...

Sep 24, 2016 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Is one large enough to be used as a home theater room?

Sep 24, 2016 10:24 PM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

We call them bonus rooms that can be used as an office, den, family room, craft room etc.

Sep 24, 2016 10:21 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I run into this all the time and make reference that they are extra rooms that could be used a workout or hobby room, man cave, storage or for the buyer to use their imagination.

Sep 25, 2016 11:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Non-conforming rooms unless seller is willing to install larger windows for exit in case of emergency.  

Sep 25, 2016 11:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Three bedroom house with two bonus rooms in the basement that are perfect for an office or study.

Sep 25, 2016 09:29 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I list them as 2 non-conforming bedrooms in the basement.  I would have a disclosure about what the fire cheief had to say or better yet a written statement from him.

Sep 25, 2016 04:20 AM
Rainmaker
711,752
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

The basement has two additional rooms which the seller has used as bedrooms, but they have no egress. These would be "flex" rooms or bonus areas. Full disclosure always.

Sep 25, 2016 03:54 AM
Rainmaker
900,008
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Playroom, storage, office, exercise room?

Sep 25, 2016 03:22 AM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I call those types of rooms in the basement a den.  Of course, if you photograph them with beds, the buyer's mind will connect the dots.

Sep 25, 2016 03:20 AM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Yep 3 bedrooms with bonus rooms in the basement.

Sep 25, 2016 03:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

3 br, bonus rooms in basement as office, sewing room. No basement will not be included in the sf. 

Sep 25, 2016 02:59 AM
Rainer
56,684
LeAnn Sink - Realtor Knoxville, TN
United Real Estate Solutions - Knoxville, TN
#ThinkSink when you need an agent.

When in doubt, stick to just the facts...... "finished basement offers XXX square feet".........

Sep 25, 2016 02:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,836
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Huge flex / bonus room! 

Sep 25, 2016 01:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I would also pay attention to apprasial requirements since in our city basements are no appraisal space but appraisers have latitude in giving it a value or no value at all.

Sep 25, 2016 01:21 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

But put it in remarks two non conforting bedrooms in the basement.

Sep 25, 2016 01:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I would disclose that in the listing

Sep 25, 2016 12:37 AM
Rainmaker
560,647
Ken's Home Team LLC. | 360.609.0226 | Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA Real Estate Team
Ken's Home Team LLC. - Vancouver, WA
- SOLD IS OUR FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD -

That's why you Never do inspections prior listing you never know what your going to find out.  

With that said........

What will the cost be to make them conforming and what would the list price be by making that change?

Sep 25, 2016 12:08 AM
Rainmaker
183,505
James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

I would NEVER suggest or insinuate with text or pictures that the basement spaces could be used as bedrooms. If a tragedy were to occur I suspect you would find yourself as one of the defendants in a lawsuit and would be particularly vulnerable since the fire inspector said that the basement bedrooms are non-conforming.

Egress is a serious issue when it comes to fire. These regulations exist for a purpose. They save lives!

My advice is to be particularly careful how you advertise this property Fred.

Sep 24, 2016 11:37 PM
Rainmaker
5,215,488
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Finished bonus space is the way to go!

Sep 24, 2016 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I call it a "finished basement" and let the buyer decide how to use. I would not have taken on the liabiity to have them inspected as now you may have to disclose exactly what was said. Most codes stipulate egress and full size windows. 

Sep 24, 2016 10:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

I don't see your question Fred. We get this scenario a lot with converted garages.

Sep 24, 2016 10:40 PM
Rainmaker
7,834,961
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Just describe them as basement rooms.

Sep 24, 2016 10:02 PM
Rainmaker
318,802
Monique Combs
Royal Shell Real Estate - Bonita Springs, FL
Royal Shell Real Estate - Monique Combs

I had a home listed one time and the bedroom was in the basement & I had the owner put in a larger window becasue we had enough space to make it legal. 

Oct 14, 2016 01:56 AM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

bonus rooms that can be used for crafts, office, den, a gym etc.

Sep 26, 2016 02:11 PM
Rainmaker
444,170
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

Better you should find out before you launch the listing than get in trouble for inaccurate representation afterward!  Call them flex rooms.

Sep 26, 2016 07:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,343
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

We don't have basements in Dallas; however, some great answers were provided.

Sep 26, 2016 12:14 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Two bonus rooms or non-conforming room tells people what to expect.

Sep 25, 2016 06:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I am not familiar with the laws, regulations, etc. in your jurisdiction that may apply to this situation.

Sep 25, 2016 06:08 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Hafdelin - simply mention that they are additional rooms.

Sep 25, 2016 04:02 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Just state it as it is. There are rooms in the basements that don't qualify as bedrooms, but would work for office space, ect. 

Sep 25, 2016 10:55 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Fred Hafdelin I would possibly promote the home as a five bedroom home with an agent remark explaining that they are not considered to be bedrooms.  Buyer to check.  Disclose and explain and have the buyer acknowledge that it is only a three bedroom home in some eyes.

Sep 25, 2016 09:05 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

So it's a 3-bedroom house with a bunch of below grade finished space.

Sep 25, 2016 08:55 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I'd go for office and study myself

Sep 25, 2016 01:57 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Add'l Sq, Ft. finished in LL

Sep 25, 2016 12:32 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

If it pencils, have proper egress windows installed. It usually doesn't pencil but in our area if the home was near WWU then it would be worth it as rents are $550-$600/mo per legal bedroom.

Sep 24, 2016 11:51 PM