Below grade
The parts of the house below ground level, like a full basement. Even if finished, most appraisals list below-grade space separately from GLA.
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Where this comes up: getting ready
Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
Below-grade space, even beautifully finished, is valued separately and lower than the main floors. Knowing that before pricing avoids listing a 2,400-square-foot home that appraises as 1,600 plus a basement.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
A finished walk-out basement with a bedroom and bath. The appraiser lists it as 800 square feet below grade and gives it about a third of the main-floor value per foot.
| The finished basement | How it tends to appraise |
|---|---|
| A full walk-out with egress windows | Some credit, sometimes partial GLA in a few markets |
| A finished room with no egress window | Below grade, and the bedroom may not count as one |
| An unfinished basement | Storage; little value beyond the structure |
Below grade adds value. It just adds less than the same square feet upstairs.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That a basement bedroom is a bedroom. Without an egress window most appraisers and codes will not count it.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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