|
Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
| Posted By |
Message |
Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
|
Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
I have a question...kinda random but just wondering if all the real estate gurus will know the answer! 
I was having this conversation with a friend....if you put say an in-law suite in your finished basement, complete with closet and an egress window...
If you sold your house, would you then call it a 3 bedroom house (3 bedrooms on main level) or would it now be a 4 bedroom house.
One of us said yes you have a 4 bedroom house as long as it has the egress window....one thought that anything below grade was not considered a bedroom...
Just curious what the correct answer is...
|
Posted 3/3/14 3:48 PM  |
| |
|
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
|
|
Re: Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
You can never have a legal bedroom in a basement. So it would still be a 3 bedroom house (in terms of how it would be listed on the market, appraised, etc.).
I think under current codes, if you finish the basement into living space (a family room, etc.), egress windows are required (or an outside entrance). Of course, this presumes the person finishing the basement is getting C/Os and most don't!
But regardless of what you have, you can never have a bedroom below grade. Bedrooms have to be above grade (with a window and a closet).
That being said, I show plenty of houses with a bedroom set up in the basement. It just doesn't count as such, but functionally, it could be used that way, and lots of people like the idea of having it for guest space (or of course, the ever popular illegal rentals!).
|
| Posted 3/3/14 5:42 PM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
But regardless of what you have, you can never have a bedroom below grade. Bedrooms have to be above grade (with a window and a closet).
.
Maybe for listing, but for tax/septic system purposes, the Town of Islip doesn't care at all about closets. I have 4 "bedrooms" without closets, according to the town, in addition to the 3 actual bedrooms with closets. All above grade, but still considered bedrooms by the Town.
|
| Posted 3/3/14 6:05 PM |
| |
|
Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
You can never have a legal bedroom in a basement. So it would still be a 3 bedroom house (in terms of how it would be listed on the market, appraised, etc.).
I think under current codes, if you finish the basement into living space (a family room, etc.), egress windows are required (or an outside entrance). Of course, this presumes the person finishing the basement is getting C/Os and most don't!
But regardless of what you have, you can never have a bedroom below grade. Bedrooms have to be above grade (with a window and a closet).
That being said, I show plenty of houses with a bedroom set up in the basement. It just doesn't count as such, but functionally, it could be used that way, and lots of people like the idea of having it for guest space (or of course, the ever popular illegal rentals!).
One question - If it's not legal, how can you have a legal basement apartment with permits?
|
| Posted 3/3/14 7:09 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
But regardless of what you have, you can never have a bedroom below grade. Bedrooms have to be above grade (with a window and a closet).
.
Maybe for listing, but for tax/septic system purposes, the Town of Islip doesn't care at all about closets. I have 4 "bedrooms" without closets, according to the town, in addition to the 3 actual bedrooms with closets. All above grade, but still considered bedrooms by the Town.
I think the window and closet thing is a HUD requirement. But sometimes I do list above grade rooms as bedrooms if they don't have closets (like in a Levitt house, for example... Sometimes upstairs rooms don't have closets, but would still be considered bedrooms). But above grade is a must.
|
| Posted 3/3/14 8:38 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
Posted by Mrs213
Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun
You can never have a legal bedroom in a basement. So it would still be a 3 bedroom house (in terms of how it would be listed on the market, appraised, etc.).
I think under current codes, if you finish the basement into living space (a family room, etc.), egress windows are required (or an outside entrance). Of course, this presumes the person finishing the basement is getting C/Os and most don't!
But regardless of what you have, you can never have a bedroom below grade. Bedrooms have to be above grade (with a window and a closet).
That being said, I show plenty of houses with a bedroom set up in the basement. It just doesn't count as such, but functionally, it could be used that way, and lots of people like the idea of having it for guest space (or of course, the ever popular illegal rentals!).
One question - If it's not legal, how can you have a legal basement apartment with permits?
I didn't think you could, although maybe different towns have different rules. We don't rent out basements in my office...it's my brokers policy. Basement apartments are common on LI, but I didn't think they could ever be legal (permit). But there may be exceptions I am personally unaware of.
But I am just saying for listing purposes and valuation/appraisal purposes, bedrooms must be above grade.
|
| Posted 3/3/14 8:44 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
What Christine said. My last job was in home care and the family made an apartment in the basement below grade for the mother. It was totally illegal and I think the nurse wanted to kill me for accepting the case because there was no easy way to get the frail elderly pt out in an emergency situation. I believe mother daughter styles in say, a raised ranch are different. My ILs have this set up and there are multiple ways out that don't involve dragging people up narrow stairways or thru a window.
Message edited 3/4/2014 5:23:59 AM.
|
| Posted 3/4/14 5:20 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Totally random question--basements with bedrooms
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
What Christine said. My last job was in home care and the family made an apartment in the basement below grade for the mother. It was totally illegal and I think the nurse wanted to kill me for accepting the case because there was no easy way to get the frail elderly pt out in an emergency situation. I believe mother daughter styles in say, a raised ranch are different. My ILs have this set up and there are multiple ways out that don't involve dragging people up narrow stairways or thru a window.
Yes, you are right! Hi ranches or raised ranches are fine for mother-daughter set ups and apartments with permits, but the first floor is never fully below grade. It's usually either ground level, or at least you walk out to the backyard at grade level, even if the first level is 30% below ground or something. But hi ranches usually appeal to people who either want/need a mother-daughter set up (or have a big family) or want potential rental income, for that very reason... it's like a full ranch house over another apartment space.
I am talking about a true basement (say a cape or a ranch, where you go down 12-15 steps underground from the main level to a mostly below grade basement space).
|
| Posted 3/4/14 8:28 AM |
| |
|
Potentially Related Topics:
Currently 1628449 users on the LIFamilies.com Chat
|
Long Island Bridal Shows
|
