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I want a game room! Should I build an UNDERGROUND LAIR or move?

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pinballwizard79:
Jav here are a few things to think about:

1. The commission to a Realtor for selling the current home + closing costs on new loan & most of all restarting your amortization table (thats really the biggie actually) on the new loan = TONS of $$$$$ But then again rates are low & so are the housing costs but that will also affect the sale of the current property too. Whew...

2. However home projects & additions always cost double what you estimate & never really offer a return except in a falsely inflated market which never seems to last.

So flip a coin, either way you are going to drop some money but then again you cant take it with you either.

SavannahLion:
A basement in the yard? Why didn't I read this thread earlier?

Besides bomb shelters, are there any homes at all that have... extended or external basements like that?

My old home has a basement and sub basement that extend out to support a deck above. But not out into the backyard (there is no traditional backyard worth mentioning on that property).

You have a 100 year old home so it's probably protected under preservation laws (are you in the U.S.?). But does the law extend to improving the foundation? I've seen the law applied in a fashion that prevents the owner from even painting the house any other color other than the color it was when it fell under protection, even if the color scheme is incorrect (eg Winchester Mansion). But I've also seen houses happily modified inside into office space or modern living as long as the external appearance is preserved. It also allows for improvements to the structure if it can be argued that such improvements improve the structural integrity eg Earthquake retrofits.

I imagine that water in the basement could be an argument for a retrofit to preserve the integrity of the home. The retrofit would be a way to build a new sealed basement and make it slightly larger.

If the home isn't protected by preservation laws. Don't seek it out unless you really really want the red tape that goes with it. I tore down a 50+ year old structure last summer and I couldn't even touch it with an sledgehammer until the preservation guys came out and okayed the demo.  :notworthy:

Of course, given the cost of retrofitting the basement, it might be less headache to buy a house with a larger basement.

javeryh:

--- Quote from: SavannahLion on February 13, 2010, 08:30:27 pm ---A basement in the yard? Why didn't I read this thread earlier?

Besides bomb shelters, are there any homes at all that have... extended or external basements like that?
--- End quote ---

Well, THIS GUY did it but he must have about a bajillion dollars (give or take a few 20lb diamonds).

My house is definitely not historic in any way unless the town has deemed every single house in town historic.  My neighborhood is jam packed with 100 year old houses on tiny tiny lots (I can watch my neighbor's TV easily if he leaves his blinds up) and just about everyone around me has an addition of some kind.  The neighbors across the street are putting an addition on right now.

It is a really cool idea and would help me save space in the back yard yet get the space I need in the basement.  I did some measuring outside this weekend and I think I can get the space I need without having to go this route but I'm still going to look into maybe extending 5 ft or so underneath the ground out from the edge of the addition.  I'm planning to extend the house out 15 ft along the entire back (which would add a 15' x 25' space for the basement (game room/theater/bar), first floor (family room/breakfast nook/office) and second floor (master bedroom and bath).  If I could get an additional 5ft underground this would add about 125sqft to the room down there.

Of course, this is all hypothetical because I have no idea how much this will cost and I probably can't afford it but it is nice to dream...   :cheers:

Silas (son of Silas):

--- Quote from: SavannahLion on February 13, 2010, 08:30:27 pm --- are there any homes at all that have... extended or external basements like that?

--- End quote ---

Yeah, these are becoming more and more common in Europe. Have a look at Thermonex as an example of a UK based company. I am planning to move house this year (once I sort out my job situation) and my intention is to choose a house based on its potential for adding a pre-fab basement.

ark_ader:

--- Quote from: Silas (son of Silas) on February 21, 2010, 06:20:44 am ---
--- Quote from: SavannahLion on February 13, 2010, 08:30:27 pm --- are there any homes at all that have... extended or external basements like that?

--- End quote ---

Yeah, these are becoming more and more common in Europe. Have a look at Thermonex as an example of a UK based company. I am planning to move house this year (once I sort out my job situation) and my intention is to choose a house based on its potential for adding a pre-fab basement.

--- End quote ---

Just make sure you can get out of the basement within 20 seconds if there is a problem, like flooding or fire.

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