Basements vs cellars

[lewie]

Below grade living area--where do you find the exact definition of this for unfinished areas below grade. All I can find is information what you cannot include as above grade finished. I am trying to determine what is actually considered a cellar or an unfinished basement. Is it whether is is heated & waterproofed? I cannot find the actual definition of below grade unfinished living area anywhere?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I cannot find the actual definition of below grade unfinished living area anywhere?

If unfinished, it is not "living area". It is storage. If finished, it is still not gross living area. GLA is ONLY above grade... grade is ground level.

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[Sid Holderly]

And definitions vary by area. As with Terrel below grade basement or cellar not living area. In this area a basement is something you can stand up in and is dry most of the time (very few in this area are totally dry). A Cellar is generally older and you have to stoop in, was designed for utilities and/or fruit and vegetable storage.

However most RE agents will include finished basement in living area especially when the home is built into a hill or bank. Just something else to look out for when doing the comparable search. Most of the time tri- and bi-levels are listed with the below ground finished area included in the living area.

Just keep the comps like kind if possible and explain.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

And definitions vary by area.

Yes they do. A lot.
Most basements here sound like a cellar, but you can stand up.
Small room, no extra value. Usually.
When I find one that is finished and useful, usually on a hillside, it becomes a big headache.

Basement threads are to this forum what oil and tire threads are to car and bike forums.

 

[lewie]

Below grade living area--where do you find the exact definition of this for unfinished areas below grade. All I can find is information what you cannot include as above grade finished. I am trying to determine what is actually considered a cellar or an unfinished basement. Is it whether is is heated & waterproofed? I cannot find the actual definition of below grade unfinished living area anywhere?

Not what I am really looking for--I understand that information. I am comparing an area under the house that is more like a cellar type area that is not accessible from the main living area of the house only from the outside. It is not heating & only has exterior walls that are the old brick foundation type walls that are not water proof--the floor is concrete, but not water proof. Not your typical unfinished basement with a utility room.

 

[lewie]

And definitions vary by area. As with Terrel below grade basement or cellar not living area. In this area a basement is something you can stand up in and is dry most of the time (very few in this area are totally dry). A Cellar is generally older and you have to stoop in, was designed for utilities and/or fruit and vegetable storage.

However most RE agents will include finished basement in living area especially when the home is built into a hill or bank. Just something else to look out for when doing the comparable search. Most of the time tri- and bi-levels are listed with the below ground finished area included in the living area.

Just keep the comps like kind if possible and explain.

My problem is that I consider it not livable area (cellar) area & the prior appraiser gave it value as an unfinished basement & the borrowers are up in arms that I have devalued the area.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Not what I am really looking for--I understand that information. I am comparing an area under the house that is more like a cellar type area that is not accessible from the main living area of the house only from the outside. It is not heating & only has exterior walls that are the old brick foundation type walls that are not water proof--the floor is concrete, but not water proof. Not your typical unfinished basement with a utility room.

Sounds like a crawl space. Maybe a taller one than is usual here, aka 18" or so. YMMV.

 

[lewie]

Sounds like a crawl space. Maybe a taller one than is usual here, aka 18" or so. YMMV.

No--you can stand up in it.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Got pics?

Sounds like an unfinished space that you need to mention and move on.

Typical California err, Indiana basement with no additional value in the market.
If that is the case.

 

[lewie]

No--you can stand up in it.

Got pics?

Sounds like an unfinished space that you need to mention and move on.

Typical California err, Indiana basement with no additional value in the market.
If that is the case.