basements in georgia (Atlanta, Conyers, Buford: new home, buy, construction)

[janette moss]

Please tell me the disadvatages of having a basement in Georgia. Would like to move into a fairly new home (no more than 3 or 4 years old). I want to know about moisture problems, flooding problems. Must have a basement that is finished. Want to know about tornados in Georgia. Want to move from Michigan to the Conyers area.

[cool_mommy]

I had the same questions and concerns when researching our move to Georgia. In regards to tornado activity a post lead me to this really great web site Tornado History Project - Tornado Map. We decided that a basement was a must have for us. We found that most new subdivisions would build a home on a basement (if they had a "basement lot") for about $30,000 more. One thing that we didn't really care for but have come to accept is that a "basement lot" is usually sloping as the builders in Georgia build daylight basements or what we call walk-out basements and you need that type of topography for such as basement. In Georgia it is almost impossible to find a basement with four concrete walls under ground, not unheard of but not easily found. We were hoping for a large level yard but didn't consider this a major sacrifice.

A nice advantage to a daylight basement is that they can be finished for future added space. It seems that a lot of builders in GA frame the basements and stub them for a future bath. We weren't used to this and found it to be an incredible bonus!

[Prichard]

Many people have turned their basements into "mini-suites", with full bathroom, kitchen, living room and even a couple of regular sized bedrooms. Makes a great media room too. Perfect for elder family members who want some independance but also need to be near someone to help care for them. Also good for the kid who moves back home or can't seem to leave home. I have several relatives in the Atlanta area that have basements like these.

I'm envious - I really wish I had a basement. But, in Florida, being about 8' up from the water table, a basement is just another name for a swimming pool.

[janette moss]

Originally Posted by Prichard

Many people have turned their basements into "mini-suites", with full bathroom, kitchen, living room and even a couple of regular sized bedrooms. Makes a great media room too. Perfect for elder family members who want some independance but also need to be near someone to help care for them. Also good for the kid who moves back home or can't seem to leave home. I have several relatives in the Atlanta area that have basements like these.

I'm envious - I really wish I had a basement. But, in Florida, being about 8' up from the water table, a basement is just another name for a swimming pool.

I like your idea. I see "basement finishing" companies are popular in the Georgia area. For financial purposes, wish we could find the rooms already these. I can relate about elderly family members. I am WVa and my mother and dad were there (travelled up and down the road from Michigan all the time). Mother passed at the page of 91. I got my father to come up from WVa after her passing. He sold his house, moved to Michigan and helped us buy the one we are in for the roominess to accommodate him. Glad we did and then he died at the age of 93 in 2004, but he got to enjoy the home for 2 and a half years. Thanks for your sensitivity to others and elders.

[Billdemartini]

Originally Posted by janette moss

I like your idea. I see "basement finishing" companies are popular in the Georgia area. For financial purposes, wish we could find the rooms already these. I can relate about elderly family members. I am WVa and my mother and dad were there (travelled up and down the road from Michigan all the time). Mother passed at the page of 91. I got my father to come up from WVa after her passing. He sold his house, moved to Michigan and helped us buy the one we are in for the roominess to accommodate him. Glad we did and then he died at the age of 93 in 2004, but he got to enjoy the home for 2 and a half years. Thanks for your sensitivity to others and elders.

There are plenty of houses with basements already finished, depending on the area and community you are looking in.

My wife, kids, and I are looking to move from Buford out to Cherokee to be closer to family. At first I started looking at new construction but have recently shifted my searches to resales with finished basements. We find quite a few in our price range and in nice communities as well.

We finished the basement in our current house and I'm not sure we could live without one now. My wife works from home and her office is there sheltered away from the kids

[janette moss]

Originally Posted by Billdemartini

There are plenty of houses with basements already finished, depending on the area and community you are looking in.

My wife, kids, and I are looking to move from Buford out to Cherokee to be closer to family. At first I started looking at new construction but have recently shifted my searches to resales with finished basements. We find quite a few in our price range and in nice communities as well.

We finished the basement in our current house and I'm not sure we could live without one now. My wife works from home and her office is there sheltered away from the kids

We are moving to the Conyers area. Want something fairly new (daylight entrance). What do you think our chances are with a finished basement there? I have been looking on the computer (Atlanta MLS) and Harmony (I think that's the name) for homes between $200,000-$250,000.

[janette moss]

Originally Posted by cool_mommy

I had the same questions and concerns when researching our move to Georgia. In regards to tornado activity a post lead me to this really great web site Tornado History Project - Tornado Map. We decided that a basement was a must have for us. We found that most new subdivisions would build a home on a basement (if they had a "basement lot") for about $30,000 more. One thing that we didn't really care for but have come to accept is that a "basement lot" is usually sloping as the builders in Georgia build daylight basements or what we call walk-out basements and you need that type of topography for such as basement. In Georgia it is almost impossible to find a basement with four concrete walls under ground, not unheard of but not easily found. We were hoping for a large level yard but didn't consider this a major sacrifice.

A nice advantage to a daylight basement is that they can be finished for future added space. It seems that a lot of builders in GA frame the basements and stub them for a future bath. We weren't used to this and found it to be an incredible bonus!

Thank you for the heads up on the "Tornada" website. I will check it out thoroughly. Your input on the daylight basements (walk-out basements).

[janette moss]

If the city (any in Georgia) was warned that there is a tornado coming, if you live in a home (even split foyer) and you have no basement, where would you go for safety?

[Billdemartini]

Originally Posted by janette moss

We are moving to the Conyers area. Want something fairly new (daylight entrance). What do you think our chances are with a finished basement there? I have been looking on the computer (Atlanta MLS) and Harmony (I think that's the name) for homes between $200,000-$250,000.

I guess it depends on what you mean by fairly new? Have you looked in Martingale, Westchester Lakes, or Deer Forest? (Mid 90's-2000)

[janette moss]

Originally Posted by Billdemartini

I guess it depends on what you mean by fairly new? Have you looked in Martingale, Westchester Lakes, or Deer Forest? (Mid 90's-2000)

It's funny that you would mention Martingale. That's one of my favorite subdivisions that I see on the computer and was looking at it today. Thanks -- I knew that looked like a great place. Is that sub near a shopping area?