Honey-Do List Alert: FROG vs Basement
Should one of your summer projects be to finish off some unused storage space and turn it into livable space?
It’s becoming more and more of a trend to declutter and pitch unused or unusable “stuff” in the wake of Marie Kondo’s inspo via Netflix 2019. It is almost impossible to watch that show and NOT get up and excitedly start throwing away items that don’t bring you joy. If you do, donate what you can!
After decluttering, you just might find your home has a newly cleared room over a garage/attic, or it might have a spiffed up and organized basement with tons of potential. Could be time to make that wise investment by adding value to your home or extra enjoyment while you live there.
While most cosmetic upgrades do not translate to a higher value on an appraisal, higher square footage of finished space absolutely does. It could even make the difference between an entire new set of comparables with higher values!
The first storage space to consider is a Finished Room Over the Garage (FROG for short). Having a flex room over a garage is a manageable, small area to finish, and it has seemingly endless possibilities: bedroom, office, or kids’ room. I like it. Consider adding built-in shelving to stay decluttered!
Want your man cave/she space downstairs? The other area to consider is an unfinished basement. If you don’t want to wait to get a return on your investment in a sale, a walk-out finished basement could actually be turned into a unit for rental as long as your HOA allows for that in your neighborhood. Keep in mind basements need to have the same livable conditions concerning light, air, and sanitation, ingress/egress as the rest of the house. Monthly income like this can offset or even completely cover your mortgage payment!
South Carolina isn’t exactly known for its plethora of houses for sale with basements. Homes for sale in South Carolina are more likely to have FROGs or detached garages rather than basements. This is mainly due to the frost line. In the northern states, builders are required to start the foundation at a lower elevation because of the frozen substructure utilities and building elements could be impacted by freezing temperatures. Columbia, SC transplants tend to be surprised when they notice this and always ask, "Why do you guys not have basement homes in South Carolina?". In SC, we are avoiding the water table, moisture, and termites and it’s much easier to build up rather than digging down and protect from moisture.
Whatever you decide to do with your extra storage space, a long-term vision, patience, and some investment (both time and money) will be required.
Have you ever finished a space after moving in? Please share some tips. What are good DIY projects and what should be left for the professionals?