We have a 3bdrm 2 storey house with an unfinished basement, and we have 3 kids and a new one on the way. We have been back and forth about what to do about a fourth bedroom. I suggested turning what is now a bonus room up stairs into a large 4th bedroom(upstairs with the rest)and putting the basement as a finished rec room/ entertainment area. My husband on the other hand wants to finish a bedroom in the basement and keep the bonus room upstairs. I want to know for resale what would be the better choice? 4 bedrooms upstairs and entertainment in the basement or bedroom in the basement and keep the bonus room upstairs?

If you put the bedroom in the basement, will there be a legal egress window? To be a bedroom legally, there has to be a fire escape method -- like thru the window. Building codes have requirements when it comes to that.

Or will costs of installing one hurt the budget? Are you going to get permits? Those factors may limit your choice.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Re-mdlr,

yes there are 2 windows down stairs...it would be a legal bedroom. We know the codes all I want to know is it it a better choice to keep them all upstairs or put one downstairs for resale purposes....

Is there a bathroom down stairs? If yes, I would add it downstairs. A future buyer could use it as a guest suite or a teenagers room. If not, put it upstairs.

it is ruffed in for a full bath I believe. Thanks for the opinion I never really thought of it that way.

2nd vote for putting extra bedroom downstairs. Especially if there is a RI bath as a possibility. For resale, there are many uses for the finished basement space that would appeal to a wide variety of potential buyers - private office, teenager room, mother-in-law room, more private guest area.....

All make the house more attractive to buy.