Are finished basements the norm in Denver? (Parker: real estate, house)

[BarryK123]

I've been browsing some of the real estate listings online and note that a majority of places I've looked at:
1. have finished basements, and
2. count the basement in their square footage numbers

Is this the norm?
Here in eastern PA, most basements are unfinished and aren't included in the numbers.

[Josseppie]

Yes, finished basements are the norm not only in Denver but all over the Midwest. I think it has it has something to do with tornadoes.

[RonAriba]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

I've been browsing some of the real estate listings online and note that a majority of places I've looked at:
1. have finished basements, and
2. count the basement in their square footage numbers

Is this the norm?
Here in eastern PA, most basements are unfinished and aren't included in the numbers.

I say more like 50/50. Basements are not incuded in above ground gross living area in metropolitan areas, but listed separately as total finished area. This includes walk-out basements.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Be sure to check permits on finished basements before buying. You don't want to find out it isn't up to code when its your turn to sell the house.

[Katarina Witt]

Basements may be the norm here, though we owned a house here with just a crawl space. However, finished basements, in my experience are not necessarily the norm, especially in new construction.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by RonAriba

I say more like 50/50. Basements are not incuded in above ground gross living area in metropolitan areas, but listed separately as total finished area. This includes walk-out basements.

this is what i noticed in my home searches. and many basements are only partially finished. also, newer developments sometimes dont even offer basements(cost extra) or have basements that are laughable in size and just are used to enter into a crawl space.

[ottodog]

Yep.

[steveindenver]

this is what i noticed in my home searches. and many basements are only partially finished. also, newer developments sometimes dont even offer basements(cost extra) or have basements that are laughable in size and just are used to enter into a crawl space.

All newer developments I am aware of (from the past 20 years) offer a basement.

I suppose some builders way out in the boonies might still slab build to save costs.

As for finished basements, at least in Denver proper they are not common but not unusual either given that people have had years to modify and extend.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

All newer developments I am aware of (from the past 20 years) offer a basement.

I suppose some builders way out in the boonies might still slab build to save costs.

As for finished basements, at least in Denver proper they are not common but not unusual either given that people have had years to modify and extend.

oh, available, but not standard. some of the newer HR homes and homes we viewed in Parker(from the likes of DR Horton and such) did not come with a basement by default and cost they buyer extra if they purchased the home before building

[RonAriba]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Be sure to check permits on finished basements before buying. You don't want to find out it isn't up to code when its your turn to sell the house.

Depending on the price range most basements in my area are finished without building permits. Also, the older the house the lower the basement ceilings.