If you are afforded the option to choose between a house with a finished basement and with an unfinished one, you might think the decision is simple: go with the finished basement. However, there are certain advantages to buying a home with an unfinished basement. Let’s look at four of those advantages.

The Price Will Be Lower

A home with a finished basement is going to have a higher price than a similar one with an unfinished one. A lower price means lower mortgage payments. You can use the money you save on the mortgage to finish the basement yourself. When you go to sell in a few years, you can get a higher price for the property because you have more habitable square footage.

You Know What’s Behind the Walls

Many finished basements are done by homeowners, instead of contractors. The homeowner may do a great job at finishing the walls and woodwork. But, they might not have done a great job with the work behind the scenes. If the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work was done by the homeowner, you don’t know what kind of problems are lurking behind the walls.

You Can Do It By the Book

Finishing a basement by the book requires that you pull permits and go through inspections. If the previous homeowner did the work without pulling permits, there could be a ton of issues to deal with before the purchase could be finalized. For that reason alone, real estate agents will tell you to be leery of any home improvements made without proper permits or inspections. If the basement is unfinished, you can have the work done later by licensed contractors, pulling the appropriate permits, and passing inspections as required by law.

You Decide How It Gets Finished

When you buy a home with a finished basement, you get what the previous homeowner wanted instead of what you want. For example, the previous homeowner might have wanted extra bedrooms for a large family. You don’t need all those extra bedrooms. Instead, you could have used the space for a game room, a hobby area, or a movie theater. With an unfinished basement, you can do what you want, without the need to tear down walls. Don’t pass by the home that has the unfinished basement. It can save you money on the purchase price. You can finish the space to your specifications and by the book, with no hidden surprises. Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. Kara recommends consulting to your local Real Estate agent for questions about basements in a specific listing you may have found.