Daylight/Walk-Out or Below Grade/Walk-Up Terrace Level(basement)? (Atlanta: houses, purchasing)

[GeorgiaLakeSearch]

What do you find more desirable? Did you look for a specific type when purchasing?

I was just wondering what people think on this issue.

I have had both and in certain homes one had an advantage. Newer developments have more daylight terrace levels I am assuming because it is easier to do now vs. in the 1940s.

[mich2fla]

We are from Michigan and we are used to having a basement. When we looked for houses, we looked at both houses on a slab and those with a basement. Some of the houses we looked at, those without basements use their garage as a storage and the cars get parked outside. Since we are used to it, we just prefer having a basement.

We have 4 kids, 2 of them are teenagers already. The basement gives them a place to hang out with friends. Ours is a walkout. Having a basement is like having a bonus room.

The basement lots depends on the terrain and water level. In our subdivision, I'd say there are about 40% lots with basements and the rest on a slab.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaLakeSearch

Newer developments have more daylight terrace levels I am assuming because it is easier to do now vs. in the 1940s.

It's about topography and weather- has nothing to do with time- the same materials that were used in the 40's are still used today.
Here in the south it's the topo- Rolling hills make for good basement lots. And open across the back is much more desirable than an open end.
As far as " Newer developments have more daylight terrace levels" here in the Atlanta area- that's because they're building homes on land that wasn't as desirable. Demographics play a large role in that- people have their need list. To meet that need list developers will develop just about any spec of land if it meets the criteria of the demand.
Up north the frostline is deep. And to dig all of that dirt for the footing, to just fill it back in, is a waste of time and money. And of course the topo is somewhat flat making walk out basements near impossible; hence the stair wells if access from the exterior is wanted.