Finishing Your Basement – What Is The Impact on the Value of Your Home?

Finishing your basement isn’t just about increasing your living space, it is an investment in home improvement that can significantly affect you home’s value and increase your home equity when done right.

You have to make sure that you take certain precautions to ensure that your new finished basement will result to a livable space that’s not prone to leaks, water damage, and other issues. Below are some tips to remodel your basement in a way that maximizes function and gives you the most bang for buck.

Don’t Forget to Waterproof

Basements tend to be damp places even for homes that are not subject to flooding. It is not uncommon to find damp areas of moisture on the walls or get a musty odour even for basements that do not have any water leaks. This is why a complete waterproofing is the first step in remodeling or reconstructing your basement. You can DIY this but it will be much better to hire professionals to save yourself from future issues.

Design or Plan According to Your Needs

The cost of your basement remodel will vary depending on what you plan to add in it. A bedroom or new living area would be a little less pricey compared to a home theatre. You might also want to look into creating a walkout basement if your home is on grade. Another popular addition is setting an area aside for storage and utility space.

Get It Done

After coming up with the final vision for how you would want your finished basement to be, it is time to turn it into reality by researching the best team for the job. Go ahead and seek out the right plumber, carpenter, contractor, and other home remodeling professionals that you might need. Decide which projects you’ll be able to DIY and which ones are better left to professionals then get things done!

Reassess and Enjoy

Remember that finishing your basement is an investment in your home. More than enjoying its new functionality, you’ll also enjoy a substantial increase in your home’s value and therefore your home equity.

By how much?

There are a lot of factors involved in determining the increase in your home’s value after finishing your basement. What is known, though, is that a 2010 study showed that homeowners were able to recover 74% (of what they spent on average) when selling their home after finishing their basement. This is really good, considering that a finished basement will also allow you to save hundreds of dollars a year in energy savings.

Do not forget to install heating and get permits if you want your new finished basement to be officially recognized as a living space more so if you have plans to put your home on the market in the future. This is also a great selling point when the time to sell your home comes.

Investing in home improvement projects that add value to your home not only increases your home’s value but your equity as well. If you’re strapped for cash but want to pursue finishing your basement, we can help you tap your existing equity through a home equity loan. Contact us today so we can discuss with you what you’ll need for your loan application