indigomama Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) I have never lived in a state that commonly has basements, so sorry if this questions seems dumb, but do people count their basement space on real estate listings? For example, if I am looking at a house that has 1800sq ft and I notice that the listing has a picture of a finished basement is that space part of the 1800sq ft? Edited February 20, 2012 by indigomama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I have never lived in a state that commonly has basements, so sorry if this questions seems dumb, but do people count their basement space on real estate listings? For example, if I am looking at a house that has 1800sq ft and I notice that the listing has a picture of a finished basement does is that space part of the 1800sq ft? In my experience, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I think it might vary by state. But in the states we've lived in -- Missouri, Indiana, Ohio -- no. I think I'd heard that they are counted in Colorado. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigomama Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Awesome, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 It depends. Here you can count it only if it is 'finished' livable space and up to code, (meaning it must have an egress window or another acceptable fire exit) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I live in Illinois and in our town it counts if it's finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannie in NJ Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 here in NJ (at least in my area) basements, even finished ones are not listed in sq. footage. Sometimes, I see a listing say ex. 1800 sq. ft plus 1200 sq. ft finished basement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I'm in Indiana. In our local real estate market it won't be included unless it's finished living space. In a real estate market 30 minutes from here they include it even if it's a wet and virtually unusable basement. It bugs me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourOaks Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Indiana does count all finished square footage in the total -- this includes basements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigomama Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Hmmm, okay. Is there a way to tell whether it's included from an online listing? Currently looking in Wisconsin, but anywhere DH gets a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 For those of you who live where it's not counted even if it's finished- how does your area assess property taxes? Because I'm pretty sure that's why our area DOES count finished basements- so they can tax it as living space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Where I'm from (Southern Indiana) if it's finished then most times, yes. Other areas even if it's finished, no. It really depends. Call the real estate agent and ask what is common in the area and specifically for that house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) Hmmm, okay. Is there a way to tell whether it's included from an online listing? Currently looking in Wisconsin, but anywhere DH gets a job. I'd just call up and directly ask whatever agency website you're using. Alternatively, find a listing agent that includes room dimensions or ask for those from an agent on a house that has a basement per the listing. In our listing the basement information will be in building features or wherever they cover foundation type. Usually if they list rooms with dimensions they will also tell you above ground or main level or UG (underground) if the house has a basement. Adding the room dimensions will tell you if they included basement. I don't know how you would know otherwise and the room dimension information is an "if you ask" thing anyway. An example...right now a home is listed as 2304 SF. It mentions an unfinished walkout basement. I know, because I saw the house, that the basement has tons of water. The living space in that home is 1150 SF. Unfortunately in this particular market there is no way for me to know that unless I ask the realtor to send me a sheet with room dimensions or I see the home directly. I've also seen basements called finished that had water. I really think in most markets you will only see finished space as SF but don't assume unless you know. Edited February 20, 2012 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Hmmm, okay. Is there a way to tell whether it's included from an online listing? Currently looking in Wisconsin, but anywhere DH gets a job. If you keep looking at photos of houses and they have a ton of square footage, but don't look that large, it's a good tip-off. Also, if you go to a site like Trulia.com or Zillow.com, they often list "above ground square footage" and "below grade" (basement) square footage in their property descriptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSurprise Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I live in Wisconsin. Generally all finished space is counted in the total square feet, but it can really depend on the listing agency. If you want to know more, call the listing agency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Depends on the state. NC seems to be changing its rules on this. It was one rule when we started finishing our basement and another rule when we actually finished it and NOT in our favor (for selling). :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivka Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 In our area the listings only include "taxable living area," which does not include the basement even if finished. We almost didn't go look at our house because the taxable living area was only 1590 feet and I thought it looked too small. Turns out there was also a huge, completely finished, walk-out, lower-level family room with sliding glass doors on to a lovely patio. But that didn't "count," any more than a wet, dirt-floored, windowless pit of a basement does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 It is so variable you may need to read lots of listings or ask a real estate agent. I've lived places where it counts and where it doesn't. The one general rule is that unfinished space doesn't seem to count anywhere. Sort of like the rules for what may or may not be listed as a bed room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 it often depends. Many listings go by what is on the records from the last appraisal - which may or may not include the finished basement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPea Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 This does vary from state to state. Here in UT basement is included and when we lived in OH it wasn't. I hated my basement in OH and found it unusable because of dampness, etc. I love my basement now - walk out, huge windows with lots of light and normal ceilings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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