Thinking about making a move to a 55+ Big Question... Basement or no Basement

[BarbmC]

My husband and I are seriously thinking about making a move from our NJ home to a 55+ community in PA to be closer to our kids, and grandkids. New construction - but big question is basement or no basement. It's a 45K add on. I'm thinking basement, as you can not add a basement at a later time. Thoughts?

 

[HitchHiker71]

We just turned 50 this year and it’s on our radar to downsize to a 55+ once our last two kids move out over the next few years. There are quite a few 55+ communities both new construction or built within the last 10 years that we will consider.

Specific to the basement question, my requirement would be a poured foundation/basement. I’ve had both poured basements and cinder block basements and the poured basements just seem to hold up better over time as long as they are properly installed. I’ve also found that poured basements tend to resist moisture/water better, which is especially important if you ever decide to finish part of the basement area down the line. I would especially consider adding a basement if a walkout is an option based upon the grading of the property.

Do you have a lot of storage items? If so then a basement may be a good add IMHO. We have a ton of stored items in our basement area - both items for ourselves as well as items for our adult children that will eventually make it into their own homes. I’ve also generally found that homes without basements have very little storage room in comparison. If you two travel light and don’t tend to hold onto things, then perhaps you could forgo the basement expense.

The other route you could take if you need the extra storage room is to rent storage space. 45k covers a LOT of rented storage space for a really long time.


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[Passepartout]

Are you moving primarily to be close to family and want them to visit, get the basement. If the move is for you to age in place with nearby family for help if needed, having everything on one level will make that much easier. And an extra $45K in savings doesn't hurt either.

 

[nomoretslt]

Would you be digging down for a basement? We are building our age in place home....finally really getting started in the next week after months of delays ... we will have a basement but it’s actually almost completely above ground. Due to deed restrictions/requirements we had to build a certain size house (big). We will be installing an elevator, as the basement level will also be where the garage is. We know the stairs going up to the main living level will be too much, hence the elevator. If your basement will be all below ground level and your main living area will be ground level, I would first think about whether I would want to spend that much to store your kids stuff and your own stuff that you probably won’t use. We held on to our kids stuff for years...and most of it they decided they didn’t want when we said come and get it...we are moving. If you want a separate area where the grands can hang out and make noise, consider the space above the garage....they call them bonus rooms around here. Start purging your own things soon....you may find out you really don’t need all that stuff. And it takes months....believe me, I know. It was tiring.

I would also make sure there is not an issue with a high water table. French drains and sump pumps can get costly. Not to mention what could happen to all your stuff.

Good luck! It’s really exciting once you make that decision! We were in our home almost 40 years. We’ve been renting since the fall while awaiting final approval....and we have not looked back Or regretted the move.

 

[beejaybee]

We are just 2 in a home with a 3/4 poured concrete basement we had built in 2003. The main level is an open floor plan save for the bedrooms and den. Even though we wanted a full basement, it wasn't an option but the "shelf" is workable as I am short enough to stand between rafters and it works for storage. The main problem with the shelf is that it is to easy to just put stuff there rather than in its place. We had a full bath roughed in. No regrets on having a basement. A few years later DH finished off much of the basement himself except for the drywall. In the unfinished part DH has a studio for his watercolor hobby and room for his exercise equipment.

It is nice to have space so I would definitely add the basement to your home!

 

[Panina]

My husband and I are seriously thinking about making a move from our NJ home to a 55+ community in PA to be closer to our kids, and grandkids. New construction - but big question is basement or no basement. It's a 45K add on. I'm thinking basement, as you can not add a basement at a later time. Thoughts?

The two questions I will ask
Will you use it? If yes, worth the extra money
If no,
In the area are basements prevalent thus if you need to sell that is what others will want.

My prior home had a basement, which I loved for storage but this home, no basement. Being I downsized I am now finding I have too much storage even without a basement.

Being you even asked the question, my guess is you don’t need it.

 

[jackio]

We moved to a 55+ 3 years ago, to a small 2BR 2BA ranch with garage and basement. I've never gone into the basement. My husband stores Christmas items and some tools down there, but they could just as easily be stored in the garage. It would depend on if you think you would use it.

 

[Paumavista]

It was cheaper for us to go "up"......adding space above the garage. We also added a dormer to square out and make a nice bedroom up there & bath. We were able to incorporate big windows & there's plenty of light. There's lots of storage & kids don't mind the stairs.....we seldom use the space except for guests.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

What percent is the $45k compared to the home value? If large % you may want to rethink. If small you could recoup++ when you sell. $45k is nothing on a million dollar home. Significant on a $200k home.

What are your neighbors doing? Will this push the value of your home to be competitive? or overpriced?

Lastly, if you know an appraiser, ask them as to what adding a basement will do for the value of your home. I spoke to an appraiser when we refinanced and he told us that if we added a closet to our office (approx $500 cost) it would be considered an additional bedroom and would add thousands to the value of the home, it also would add a bedroom on the first story for elders who may not be able to climb stairs.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

If it were me, I'd go for the basement. You don't want to consider adding it later.

But, the previous posters brought up a lot of good points such as

• Do you need that extra space and/or would you use it (storage, hobbies, exercise equipment, mancave, game room, place for your grandkids to play when they visit and the weather is inclement, place for a deep freeze, MIL or FIL apartment, quiet retreat, etc.)?
• Engineering issues (water table, sump pump needed?, french drain ?, all below grade or partial or walkout?)
• Cost and taxes - you didn't say the cost of the house, but I suspect that the addition of the basement may only add 10% or less to the total cost. Also there is the issue of whether the new house will cost more or less than the cost basis of your last home. If it costs less, that could trigger a tax liability event (I don't know much about this, but it is worth knowing/inquiring with your tax person)
• Resale: Would the basement add $45K to the value of the house? or more? Also, if most of your new neighbors have basements, your home may be less saleable when you eventually sell it. I suspect that a basement would add more value than it's cost - - but that is just a guess.

 

[Luanne]

I've never had a basement in any house I've lived in. For storage we use the garage.

 

[mdurette]

depends.....what would you use it for?
A workshop, finish it for extra living space or craft room? Then go for it.
to store misc "stuff" that you really don't need. Then nope.

Many people I know that live in over 55 manufactured homes with no basement spend extra to put a storage room above the garage.

 

[rickandcindy23]

A basement if offered is a bargain at $45K extra. I don't know the starting price of your house, but figure out the difference in mortgage for basement vs. no basement, and the cost is minimal. Storage spaces are expensive.

I like the ability to expand into the basement. I wish our basement was bigger sometimes because we have a lot of stuff down there, but we decided to purge our stuff and then finish an exercise room in that space, and we would add another bathroom to finish off that dark corner of the basment with the rough-in plumbing. Not that I really want a 4th toilet to clean, but the Toto Drake II toilets are amazing and practically clean themselves. I am crazy for those toilets. Kohler has one good toilet, we had it at the Marriott in Panama City last month, and it was so clean all of the time. We were impressed. But I love the Drake, so I wouldn't be interested in trying anything else.

We will still have a lot of storage with the Christmas stuff. I am hoping Rick can add cabinets to our patio/sun room, which is behind our family room and in front of our garage. The cabinets would be underneath all of the windows, lots of shelves, and we can set our village on the countertops below the windowsills. We would get rid of all of the boxes and put each piece on a shelf in the cabinet. It could be such a great solution to our over-purchased Christmas items. I think that would be nice. We have so much Christmas village buildings. I add buildings most years, but the last two it's been a big no-no for me.

Rick may have to saw concrete to place the sink and toilet where he wants them in the basement, and that won't be easy. . Builders do not do a good job of rough-in plumbing, especially 40 years ago.

Wow, at 66 years old, I sure go off-subject easier.

 

[HitchHiker71]

One other thought I had, if you do end up choosing to add the basement option, try to walk through an existing model home that has the basement option unfinished and check ceiling height especially where ductwork may protrude down below the rafters. Many builders offer nine foot ceilings either standard or as an upgrade option in basements these days to eliminate any clearance issues. Unless you are 100% certain the basement will remain unfinished and any possible clearance issues won’t be a problem, spring for the taller basement walls.


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[DrQ]

Is it going to have a sump with a pump?

We lived in a duplex where the the sump was in the OTHER unit. What a nightmare! Our basement flooded all the time due to poor landscaping.

Would ask some pointed questions.

 

[Laurie]

I wouldn't. One, basements are often damp, occasionally flood, and some stuff gets ruined -- mold/mildew issues. Two and most importantly, what about your future possible mobility issues? If we ever move again, everything should ideally be on one level.

 

[DaveNV]

I think it depends on how much space is in the rest of the house. Do you see yourself really needing the extra square footage for day to day living? Check to see what percentage of other homes have the basement. Is there a resale market for homes in that development? If so, how many have basements, and is there a return on the investment? Will the basement need to be heated or cooled? Is it worth that expense?

When we moved to Nevada last year, we got rid of a bunch, but still brought a TON of stuff we thought we wanted, but that turned out we just don't need. Storing it is stupid, if it's just sitting there. Why have it? I'm working my way through things, a box at a time, to get rid of it. My goal is to not have any excess in storage here.

Dave

 

[geist1223]

If possible I like the idea of adding a storage room above the garage if you can access it from the house.

 

[Iggyearl]

I'm sitting in our second home in Williamsburg, VA. This is new 55+ construction and there were 5 homes (of 33) able to have basements. We own one. Our other house is north of Albany, NY. We bought it 33 years ago and it has a basement. I could NOT imagine having no basement in my home. When I meet another "northerner" in my development, they always say, "Jeez, I wish I could have gotten a basement, but they were all taken." If you have a basement now - GET ONE in your new home. Everybody that moved into this area has a garage full of crap. No cars in the garage - just personal belongings. I like to park my car in the garage. The $45K will come back to you (or your heirs). It's not like buying points.

 

[Luanne]

I'm sitting in our second home in Williamsburg, VA. This is new 55+ construction and there were 5 homes (of 33) able to have basements. We own one. Our other house is north of Albany, NY. We bought it 33 years ago and it has a basement. I could NOT imagine having no basement in my home. When I meet another "northerner" in my development, they always say, "Jeez, I wish I could have gotten a basement, but they were all taken." If you have a basement now - GET ONE in your new home. Everybody that moved into this area has a garage full of crap. No cars in the garage - just personal belongings. I like to park my car in the garage. The $45K will come back to you (or your heirs). It's not like buying points.

As I said earlier we've never had a basement. Just not a thing where I grew up, or where we live now. We do use our garage for storage. We also park our two cars in there. Of course you need a three car garage for that. Those are much more prized than a basement around here.

 

[Iggyearl]

Just not a thing where I grew up, or where we live now.

I hear ya'. I've heard the phrase, "Garages are a Southerner's basement." The developer here, (Ryan Homes) has a standard size 2 car garage, that will barely fit 2 cars. No real depth, and very little width. My garage at home has room for bikes, lawn mowers, shelving, tools and a cabinet. They don't build 'em like they used to. That being said, if you are used to having the room, I think you should plan on needing the room - of a cellar.

 

[Luanne]

I hear ya'. I've heard the phrase, "Garages are a Southerner's basement." The developer here, (Ryan Homes) has a standard size 2 car garage, that will barely fit 2 cars. No real depth, and very little width. My garage at home has room for bikes, lawn mowers, shelving, tools and a cabinet. They don't build 'em like they used to. That being said, if you are used to having the room, I think you should plan on needing the room - of a cellar.

Another reason I prefer a garage to a cellar (or attic) is no stairs to go up or down.

 

[bizaro86]

I can't imagine not having a basement. I think its mostly geographic. It would be extremely unusual for a home here to not have a basement (like less than 1 in a 1000) and it would be a huge turn off

But if buyers in your area don't expect it and you don't think you'll need it I would save the money.

 

[Arb]

My husband and I are seriously thinking about making a move from our NJ home to a 55+ community in PA to be closer to our kids, and grandkids. New construction - but big question is basement or no basement. It's a 45K add on. I'm thinking basement, as you can not add a basement at a later time. Thoughts?

I've never had a basement, but have always had an attic. Our current home has a standard stairway to the attic and we can walk around easily. That's where we store all our "stuff," including Christmas things and all kinds of other odds and ends. Our water heaters are up there as well as the furnaces. The water table is too high here in Alabama to have basements. I think having an attic for storage may be a more economical option than digging a basement.
Good luck with your move. It sounds exciting and happy.

 

[Beachclubmum]

I’m on Team Basement. Even if not used for storage it makes a great place for grandkids to skate and ride big wheels around during visits in the dead of winter.