2 story homes with basement vs without basement ( re-sale) (buying a house, buying)

[roxyrn]

I would not even look at a house without a basement considering the need for storage, possible expansion and a safe place to be during a tornado. In Roswell, we seem to be in the basement at least three times a year when the sirens go off.

[eastfacing]

Originally Posted by roxyrn

I would not even look at a house without a basement considering the need for storage, possible expansion and a safe place to be during a tornado. In Roswell, we seem to be in the basement at least three times a year when the sirens go off.

Agree

[1Mom2Boys]

Here are some non-scientific observations: Houses on slab may make it harder to lay hardwood floors evenly. A builder once told me that hardwood on slab tends to dip (and therefore creak) more than hardwood placed on an upper/ elevated floor. Sounds crazy since most homes on slab probably have hardwood. Also - basements are great for keeping bugs away from your living space on the main floor since bugs seem to mostly enter from, and reside on, the ground floor (which would be your basement if you have one).

In addition to resale, I'd say the biggest win for basements is having a safe haven during tornado season. Atlanta does get tornadoes. Often enough. You'll wish you had a basement when the sky turns dark and hail falls hard on your roof and the wind howls with abandon...

[eastfacing]

Originally Posted by dblackga

It also depends on how many of the homes in your neighborhood have basements -- or are all of them on slabs? We've found that in a neighborhood with a mix of slabs and basements, the homes with basements tend to sell more easily. If you end up selling a few years down the road and other homes in the subdivision have basements, you may find yourself at a disadvantage. But if all the other homes are on slabs, too, then the focus shifts to the neighborhood, amenities, etc. and you are on more even footing.

Some people grew up with basements, and it's a important part of the house for them as far as casual living area. Other people grew up in areas where there are no such thing as basements (i.e., most of Florida) and to them, a basement is just asking for trouble with regards to water issues, etc. Personally, I would only buy a house with a basement if it was a "daylight" or "walk-out" basement -- the dark hole of a basement with no outside access or windows doesn't do anything for my claustrophobia!

Nice explanation ,,thanks

[eastfacing]

[quote=1Mom2Boys;32920276. Also - basements are great for keeping bugs away from your living space on the main floor since bugs seem to mostly enter from, and reside on, the ground floor (which would be your basement if you have one).

...[/QUOTE]
Thanks for pointing this out as I hate to see even a single bug in my appartment .

[arjay57]

Our kids and grandchildren love us having a basement more than we do.

[Anivas]

We went with a slab. I would rather get a newer home on slab then other with basement.

[ElleKaye]

I bought a ten year old 2 story without a basement and found it a little difficult to sell. There's this whole "man cave" thing that seems to make basements very attractive. We were below sea level where I grew up so no one had basements, but we did at least have crawl spaces. In the future, I'm ambivalent about whether or not the house has a basement, but I would not go with the slab again.

[eastfacing]

Originally Posted by ElleKaye

I bought a ten year old 2 story without a basement and found it a little difficult to sell. There's this whole "man cave" thing that seems to make basements very attractive. We were below sea level where I grew up so no one had basements, but we did at least have crawl spaces. In the future, I'm ambivalent about whether or not the house has a basement, but I would not go with the slab again.

Thanks for sharing your experience .

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Our kids and grandchildren love us having a basement more than we do.

And we love them love us having one!!!!!