Do houses in Knoxville have basements? (to live, professionals, storage)

[gemkeeper]

I cannot speak for the entire area, but with the real estate that we have seen so far, they have all have full basements.

We plan on having a basement if we build and will only buy an existing house that does have a basement.

They not only offer storm protection, if needed, and storage area, but they are a wonderful way to save energy in the bargain. In the winter they help to keep your first floor warmer by insulating it from the colder ground. In the summer they will help keep your house cooler, again by offering a buffer space where cool air (being heavier) will collect and keep at least your flooring cooler.

In other homes we have had with basements we have even used the basement as a make shift air conditioner by opening the basement door on very hot days and using a whole house fan, pulled the cooler air upstairs. This was in Michigan where central air was uncommon in homes.

A basement can also pprovide additiona; living space, if needed, remembering that if it is used for a bedroom there must be an adequate egress window or door in that room.

I say dig a basement if you can afford the additional $10 - $25K.

(Bbkaren, please do a little spell check for me here. I don't have my glasses on and this whole page is a blur!)

[J&Em]

Since we looked primarily in the Maryville area I can't say it is the same in Knoxville... Half the house we looked at had basements, but many of the brand new ones did not, and had a crawl space instead.. The one we got has the basement. I agree with Gem, those were all good reasons to have one!!

[ThatTNGuy]

Originally Posted by oldmanbob

Basements are every where, we just moved in Oct 07, and most homes in our new area, have basements. Builders will tell you, it usually depends on the lot and usually find them when the lots have some slope or different levels. It usually adds a good value for resales also.

Bob, I had no idea it was you!

This is the son of your former next-door neighbors.

Edit - And to answer the topic starter's question, yes, there are a lot of basements in Knoxville.

[knoxmomma]

With the area so hilly I think a lot of houses have basements which open to the ground on one side (downhill). Maybe technically not a basement but better because of light and windows!

[piedmont]

Chiming in late: As someone currently in the midst of sorting through an awful lot of Knoxville area rural real estate, I would say that basements are very common.

Of course, what also seems to be very common is a finished basement with a kitchen, family room, bath and more bedrooms. It's often like a not so nice duplication of the house above it!

The hilly terrain makes walk out basements fairly common, too.

Basements have been less prevalent in the newer properties we've looked at, though.

[inave]

Chiming in even later...we are trying to find a house in the knoxville area WITHOUT a basement and it isn't easy!

[piedmont]

Originally Posted by inave

Chiming in even later...we are trying to find a house in the knoxville area WITHOUT a basement and it isn't easy!

I can believe that, especially if you are looking at established neighborhoods or older properties.

Funny, though, that the houses on our short list at the moment actually don't have basements (but none are in Knoxville!)

Good luck with your hunt.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by inave

Chiming in even later...we are trying to find a house in the knoxville area WITHOUT a basement and it isn't easy!

Inave, do you mind me asking why you prefer to not have a basement? Our criteria has always been to have one and I would be curious about the other point of view.

[inave]

Gemthornton, I think it has something to do with feeling like I'm "underground" even though ours has windows and a door to the outside. According to my DH, this is illogic reasoning since I am from N.O. which is UNDER sea level! Also, though DH is great about keeping the basement neat and tidy, I just don't feel like it's part of the house, which seems like wasted space to me. I dunno, I just like one level living. AND I never said I was normal! I just know what I like! I feel the same way about garages. I'd much rather have a carport than a garage. Go figure, huh??!!!

[inave]

piedmont, where are you looking? Maybe you could pass some of your rejects on to me!