With fewer homes for sale and good returns on the remodeling investment, more homeowners are reclaiming their lower levels and remodeling their basements. Basements are coming out of hiding these days. And they’re doing it in style, with before-and-after transformations featured everywhere from HGTV to Pinterest and YouTube. What’s driving this trend? A tight housing market, for one thing. With houses at a premium—and a proliferation of DIY how-to’s—more homeowners are inspired to reclaim their unused space and expand their living area. Smart, affordable upgrade. Updating your lower level is a sound investment in your home. Remodeling magazine’s 2016 Cost vs. Value Report put the average basement remodel at $61,303, with a 70.3 percent payback – a far better investment return than adding a bathroom or garage.
The rise of the basement: Top tips for better space
