Are Basements Included In Square Footage?
From the beginning, basements were not built to provide living space but a place to hide plumbing, wires and water boilers. Home buyers are always interested in the gross living area of a property, and many might believe that finished basements are included in the square footage.
When You Buy a House
If you must secure a loan during the home buying process, you may want to look at how Freddie Mae is treating basements. Appraisals are vital for the mortgage industry because lenders always want to make sure that buyers do not request more money than the property is worth. According to the Selling Guide, basements and garages are not included in the gross living area of the property, especially if these are below-grade. So, from their perspective, basements could be regarded as a “free” living space.
Any home improvements will alter your house market value, though, and will require a reappraisal, not only to determine the new property tax but also in the event of a loan refinance.
In short, even if appraisers have to abide by the lender’s rules, and not include the basement in the gross living area, this space is still included in the selling price of the property.
When You Sell a House
Finished basements, even though not included in the square footage, increase the home’s market value. One house with a finished basement next to another one with an unfinished basement will cost more, since it provides more living space, even though the official documents will not specify this. Real estate agents usually make a different appraisal when fixing the correct market price for a certain property, and that appraisal takes into account the benefit of having a finished basement. The destination of the finished basement can also increase the selling price, so highly personalized basements could turn buyers’ interest off. Home buyers usually prefer basements with a more conservative layout: a bedroom, a bathroom and maybe a laundry room. So, from this standpoint, an in-laws suite could be more valuable than a home theater. And a walk-out basement is more appreciated by homebuyers than an under grade basement.
In conclusion, a basement may not be included in the square footage, but that doesn’t mean that the buyer doesn’t pay for it.
Popular Real Estate Questions
Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms
(1) Temporary and symbolic payment showing good faith and obligating two or more individuals until a final transaction takes place. The binder is typically returned if the final agreement ...
Opinion of a judge having no direct legal or binding effect on the outcome of a pending judicial decision. An obiter dictum is considered to be an incidental judicial remark about some ...
Metal or wood channel attached immediately below or along the eaves of a building for the purpose of channeling rainwater away from the structure. The gutter prevents rain runoff from ...
The time period a real estate investment is held. The return is tied to the time period of the investment. The period is used for income tax purpose to determine whether a profit earned or ...
Geographic area that is attractive to prospective tenants. Square footage in an office building or apartment house that may be rented by a tenant. ...
Fee charged by a mortgage lender to a buyer, seller or both for transferring a mortgage when the mortgage property is sold. ...
Rate of return of capital invested in building improvements. Is segregated from land investments and provides a method of separating property income streams between improvement and land ...
Money set aside to buy new assets when the older ones are no longer appropriate for the intended use. An example is when the landlord must replace a deteriorating and malfunctioning air ...
Contract containing provisions of the insurance policy specifying who the parties are, what amounts and due dates, deductibles, time period, ceilings, kind of property., location of ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.