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Basements
10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivray
September 9, 2018
I built my business on basement apartments, and I believe in them wholeheartedly. But nowadays, any old basement apartment just won’t do. If you want to have a successful lower-level living space, you need to impress potential renters right from the start. Read on to learn 10 tips on creating the ideal basement apartment.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Basements
10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivray
September 9, 2018
I built my business on basement apartments, and I believe in them wholeheartedly. But nowadays, any old basement apartment just won’t do. If you want to have a successful lower-level living space, you need to impress potential renters right from the start. Read on to learn 10 tips on creating the ideal basement apartment.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
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Separate Entrance
1/10Separate Entrance
1/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
It kind of goes without saying, but a basement apartment without a separate entrance is no good. If you have to install it yourself it can be very expensive, so definitely look for a property that already has one.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivraySeparate Entrance
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -It kind of goes without saying, but a basement apartment without a separate entrance is no good. If you have to install it yourself it can be very expensive, so definitely look for a property that already has one.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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High Ceilings
2/10High Ceilings
2/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
When it comes to basement apartment requirements, the ceiling height should be no less than seven feet for more than 75% of the space. However, the higher the better. Once you start digging down, it becomes a very big project, so keep an eye out for high ceilings when house shopping. Can't escape a low ceiling? <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/sarah-baeumler/blog/decorating-techniques-to-help-hide-a-low-basement-ceiling-1914646/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">These decorating techniques</a> will help.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayHigh Ceilings
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -When it comes to basement apartment requirements, the ceiling height should be no less than seven feet for more than 75% of the space. However, the higher the better. Once you start digging down, it becomes a very big project, so keep an eye out for high ceilings when house shopping. Can't escape a low ceiling? <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/sarah-baeumler/blog/decorating-techniques-to-help-hide-a-low-basement-ceiling-1914646/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">These decorating techniques</a> will help.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Full Kitchen
3/10Full Kitchen
3/10Photo Credit: McGillivray Group
A full kitchen that includes a dishwasher is the best way to impress tenants and command a high price. Just because someone is living in a basement doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice functionality. While you can get away with not having a dishwasher in the basement kitchen, I don’t recommend it.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayFull Kitchen
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -A full kitchen that includes a dishwasher is the best way to impress tenants and command a high price. Just because someone is living in a basement doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice functionality. While you can get away with not having a dishwasher in the basement kitchen, I don’t recommend it.Photo Credit: McGillivray Group
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Separate Laundry
4/10Separate Laundry
4/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Even if space is tight, providing tenants with a washer and dryer that is exclusively their own is a huge plus (you can hide the machines in a closet or cupboard to save space). In fact, it can really make or break a rental agreement. If the laundry units can only be shared with the upper floors of the house, it’s not the end of the world. But, keep in mind, a separate laundry will almost certainly fetch you a higher price.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivraySeparate Laundry
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -Even if space is tight, providing tenants with a washer and dryer that is exclusively their own is a huge plus (you can hide the machines in a closet or cupboard to save space). In fact, it can really make or break a rental agreement. If the laundry units can only be shared with the upper floors of the house, it’s not the end of the world. But, keep in mind, a separate laundry will almost certainly fetch you a higher price.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Fireplace
5/10Fireplace
5/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
A gas fireplace is not a must have, but it sure is a ‘nice-to-have’. Basements have a reputation for being cold. While you shouldn’t have any heat problems (as long as you have the right insulation and subfloor), a gas fireplace will impress renters and make the space feel cozier. Want more basement renovation inspiration? See <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/photos/a-family-of-four-gets-the-basement-makeover-of-their-dreams-1900140/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">a family of four get the basement makeover of their dreams</a>.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayFireplace
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -A gas fireplace is not a must have, but it sure is a ‘nice-to-have’. Basements have a reputation for being cold. While you shouldn’t have any heat problems (as long as you have the right insulation and subfloor), a gas fireplace will impress renters and make the space feel cozier. Want more basement renovation inspiration? See <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/photos/a-family-of-four-gets-the-basement-makeover-of-their-dreams-1900140/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">a family of four get the basement makeover of their dreams</a>.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Include a Bath and Shower
6/10Include a Bath and Shower
6/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Basement apartment bathrooms should have a toilet, sink, tub and shower. Having either a tub or a shower isn’t ideal. A shower without a tub won’t appeal to families, and a tub without a shower is just plain inconvenient for a lot of people. In most cases a shower/tub combo will do the trick.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayInclude a Bath and Shower
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -Basement apartment bathrooms should have a toilet, sink, tub and shower. Having either a tub or a shower isn’t ideal. A shower without a tub won’t appeal to families, and a tub without a shower is just plain inconvenient for a lot of people. In most cases a shower/tub combo will do the trick.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Heated Floors
7/10Heated Floors
7/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Like a fireplace, heated floors are an added bonus that can make a basement apartment much more appealing. I would suggest the entryway, bathroom and laundry areas are sufficient enough, if you don’t want to go to the trouble or expense of doing the entire space.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayHeated Floors
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -Like a fireplace, heated floors are an added bonus that can make a basement apartment much more appealing. I would suggest the entryway, bathroom and laundry areas are sufficient enough, if you don’t want to go to the trouble or expense of doing the entire space.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Updated Finishes
8/10Updated Finishes
8/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
I don’t know why people think a basement apartment doesn't need nice, updated finishes. Hardware, light fixtures, faucets, and any other fixtures should be clean, modern and properly installed.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayUpdated Finishes
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -I don’t know why people think a basement apartment doesn't need nice, updated finishes. Hardware, light fixtures, faucets, and any other fixtures should be clean, modern and properly installed.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Open-Concept Layout
9/10Open-Concept Layout
9/10Photo Credit: McGillivray Group
Sometimes you don’t have much control over the layout, but when there's flexibility, place the kitchen and living space as close to the entrance as possible, and have the main bedroom as far away from the entrance as possible. And in a basement, open-concept is always best. You’ll maximize light, and it will make the space look bigger.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayOpen-Concept Layout
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -Sometimes you don’t have much control over the layout, but when there's flexibility, place the kitchen and living space as close to the entrance as possible, and have the main bedroom as far away from the entrance as possible. And in a basement, open-concept is always best. You’ll maximize light, and it will make the space look bigger.Photo Credit: McGillivray Group
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Recessed Lighting
10/10Recessed Lighting
10/10Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Since ceiling height is often at a premium, recessed lighting is always best. Sure, chandeliers and pendants can look nice, but recessed lighting will get you the best bang for your buck, and it will look great. If you want to have a pendant over an island, or a decorative chandelier somewhere, go for it, but don’t do it at the expense of recessed lighting throughout. See more <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/scott-mcgillivray/photos/the-very-best-basements-by-scott-mcgillivray-1902380/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">amazing basement renovations by Scott McGillivray</a>.Basements10 Tips for Creating the Ideal Basement Apartment, According to Scott McGillivrayRecessed Lighting
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -Since ceiling height is often at a premium, recessed lighting is always best. Sure, chandeliers and pendants can look nice, but recessed lighting will get you the best bang for your buck, and it will look great. If you want to have a pendant over an island, or a decorative chandelier somewhere, go for it, but don’t do it at the expense of recessed lighting throughout. See more <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/scott-mcgillivray/photos/the-very-best-basements-by-scott-mcgillivray-1902380/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">amazing basement renovations by Scott McGillivray</a>.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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