just finished my basement, there is a room with a large window, and closet. can i count it as a bedroom?

Sarobsna
Home Seller
Stockbridge, GA

the room is 12x14, and has finished walls, floors, ceilings. just the same as any of the other bedrooms. a closet and a 4'x5' window

Answers (8)
John & Wendy Ro...
Agent
Watertown, MA

Your best answer will come from your zoning/building department. It depends on the size of the window, heated or unheated and you city, state requirements.

Wendy Rocca
Century 21 Commonwealth
617-383-8330

Wed Sep 23 2009, 08:25
Edith Karoline,...
Agent
60022

Here is my suggestion, do not count in the total bedroom count that bedroom, but mention it in the description of the property so that any potential buyer will know that there may be another bedroom or spare room....
Hope this helps..
Edith karoline YourRealtor4Life!
Working always in the very BEST interest of her clients....
EdithSellsHomes@gmail.lcom

Wed Sep 23 2009, 08:22
Linda Molinari,...
Appraiser
El Dorado Hills, CA

Good answers but I would like to add another comment. In my market we usually check with the building department to find out if the space had proper permits. Also, if the property has a septic system it would need to be upgraded for the extra bedroom.

Tue Sep 22 2009, 18:37
Alexia Williams
Appraiser
92688

Hello, I used to live in Joneboro, GA. In most areas a basement is considered Below Grade GLA (Gross Living Area). To count as a bedroom it needs a window large enough for a fire escape and a closet. Check with your Building Code Department in your City or County for the size of the window they require. Also is there any entrance to a Garage or Outside Exterior this also would have a to have a reinforced Door with Safety Springs. How do you get to this Bedroom from a Hallway or from another room. You can't enter a Bedroom from another room and meet FHA/VA requirements. Bedrooms must come from a Hallway with a door that closes. It may be a Hollow Core Door from a Hallway. Your Local Building Department would have this answer too.

Tue Sep 22 2009, 18:12
Mack Perry
Agent
Atlanta, GA

If it has a door then, YES.

Tue Sep 22 2009, 18:04
Patrick Thies
Agent
Elmhurst, IL

It seems like it meets most requirements for a bedroom. However, every state is different. In some states bedrooms below grade (basements) can not advertise a bedroom in the basement or count it in the room count.

Tue Sep 22 2009, 17:51
Tina Vliet
Broker
Georgia

sorry, i didn't address room in the basement. if it meets the requirements of a bedroom i mentioned below, you could advertise the house as a 4BR "plus bonus"...

Tue Sep 22 2009, 15:07
Chris Waggy
Agent
San Antonio, TX
FIRST ANSWER

Typically, a room can be counted as a bedroom if it has 2 exits. This is for safety reasons. A door into the rest of the house and a window would satisfy this. So yes you could call it a bedroom.

Tue Sep 22 2009, 14:52

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