The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1480126
E-8 Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 28, 2022 The Press-Dispatch A fully finished and func- tional basement is a dream for many homeowners. Such a space, when completed, can serve as an entertainment space, a man cave, an artist's studio, or any number of ad- ditional functions. Despite their usefulness, finished basements are some- thing of a rarity. In an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Construc- tion, the National Association of Home Builders® found that only around 24 percent of single-family homes built in 2018 have basements. Home- owners who do not currently have a finished basement but are considering such a proj- ect can approach the remod- el with a few key factors in mind. Careful consideration of these factors can ensure the project is budget-friend- ly and worthy of homeown- ers' investments. • Investment value: Con- ventional wisdom among home renovation and real es- tate experts suggests that a basement remodel is best if done to satisfy current inhab- itants and not necessarily to appeal to prospective buyers once the home is put up for sale. Remodeling magazine reports that a midrange base- ment remodel costing around $70,000 will provide a return of around $49,000 (or 70 per- cent) at resale. Though that's not a poor return on invest- ment, homeowners who are remodeling a basement sole- ly for the potential ROI at re- sale can find other projects that provide a greater return. • Foundation: The foun- dation of the home must gar- ner ample consideration be- fore beginning a basement remodel. Certain founda- tion issues, such as soft con- crete, cracked or curved out- side walls and cracks in the flooring, are indicative of sig- nificant issues with the foun- dation. These issues can be costly to address, and they must be remedied before the basement remodel can begin. • Existing space: Some homeowners may have bought their homes with par- tially finished basements or even finished areas that they simply want to remodel. In such instances, a pre-remod- el inspection from a licensed home inspector can save homeowners lots of mon- ey and heartache over the long haul. Partially finished or even aging finished base- ments might not have been renovated in adherence to codes, which could lead to costly violations down the road. An inspection in ad- vance of a remodel can give homeowners an idea of what they will need to do to bring the basement up to code. Lo- cal officials also can provide a list of necessary permits and a detailed description of re- quirements to ensure the re- modeled basement adheres to code. • Soil: Soil surrounding the home should be tested prior to beginning the proj- ect. Radon is an odorless gas found in soil that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes can increase individuals' risk for lung cancer. Radon can seep into basements and increase that risk even further if it is pres- ent at elevated levels in the soil surrounding a home. Ra- don tests are simple and in- expensive, and no basement remodel project should be- gin without first conducting such a test. Finished basements are valuable spaces. Homeown- ers who want to finish or remodel their basements should consider a host of fac- tors before beginning the renovation. How to approach a basement remodel Affordable ways to make homes more appealing to modern buyers Home trends come and go. Today's must-have items tend to become tomorrow's outdat- ed features in the blink of an eye. Homeowners who plan to stay in their current homes for years to come needn't pri- oritize modern trends over personal preferences. How- ever, homeowners looking to sell their homes can consid- er these favored features to increase their properties' ap- peal to modern buyers. • Separate laundry room: According to the National Association of Home Build- ers' 2021 What Home Buy- ers Really Want report, a sep- arate room dedicated to laun- dry was the most desired fea- ture among prospective home buyers. Though it might not inspire the awe of an outdoor living room or floor-to-ceil- ing windows overlooking a wooded backyard, a laundry room fills a direct and univer- sal need. Perhaps that's why 87 percent of buyers want a room dedicated to laundry in a home. • Exterior lighting: Drive through a modern suburban neighborhood at night and it won't take long before you re- alize the popularity of exteri- or lighting. And that's no co- incidence, as homeowners ev- erywhere appear to embrace exterior lighting. The NAHB report indicates that exterior lighting is the most sought-af- ter outdoor feature. The good news for prospective sellers is that exterior lighting is an in- expensive and instant way to transform a property at night. Some solar-powered light- ing along walkways and out- side the front door can make a home feel more safe, while some uplighting of large trees in the backyard can produce a sight to behold once the sun goes down. • Energy-efficient up- grades: Inflation has driven up the cost of just about every- thing over the last year-plus, and energy is no exception. So it should come as no surprise that 83 percent of prospective home buyers are looking for energy-efficient windows and appliances in a home. These features save money and ben- efit the planet, making them a win-win among buyers. • Patio: Patio spaces have long been popular, but that popularity reached new heights during the pandemic. When forced to stay at home for long periods of time, mil- lions of people longed for ways to spend more time outdoors without breaking lockdown rules. Patios provide outdoor living spaces, and 82 percent of buyers indicated they want- ed a patio with their next prop- erty. • Side-by-side sink: A dou- ble or side-by-side sink is among the more affordable features buyers are looking for. At less than $1,000 on av- erage, a side-by-sink is an af- fordable way to make a home more appealing to modern buyers. Modern buyers want a lot out of their homes, and sell- ers can do their best to meet those desires while getting the most money for their prop- erties. 907 Vincennes Ave., Petersburg