Does the thought of trying to walk through your basement scare you? Have you yet to unpack those moving boxes stored away in the depths of the basement from 5 years, or longer, ago? Are you wondering where to put the new treadmill? Do you need a space to send your kids to play when the weather is horrible? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to consider renovating your basement and making it a usable part of the home. If you’re sitting on the fence about whether you really want to jump in on this project check out these 6 reasons why you should.
- Resale Value: When the time comes to sell your property having a finished basement will be a plus! Finished basements are very marketable to buyers; some are looking for an additional source of income with the space being used as an apartment to rent out (see the next point), others have large families and need the space for day-to-day living, while others just want the space!
- Income Potential: Adding a basement apartment is a great way to gain some extra income. If you are finishing your basement with this in mind make sure to take the time, do the research and ensure that your basement renovation follows all the local bylaws and fire regulations.
- Energy Savings: The basement can be a source of heat loss, renovating and adding insulation and properly sealed windows will help you save money on wasted energy.
- Mold Prevention: Unfinished basements, with their typical lack of proper ventilation, can be a hotbed for mold and mildew problems. Finishing your basement gives you the opportunity to fix any leakage or ventilation issues you have and helps reduce the growth of mold and mildew.
- Organization: Do you know what is in your unfinished basement? And if you know what’s there, do you know where it is? Finishing your basement will give you the opportunity to create proper storage and shelving to help you organize your house more effectively.
- It’s Wasted Space: You own it, why not use it? Finishing your basement will give you extra live-able space with tonnes of possibilities! Here are some ideas for what to do with the extra space.
