Not all basement remodel work pays you back. Here’s what recoups at resale in Idaho Falls, Rigby, and Rexburg, and what you should build only because you want to live with it.
High ROI (70–85% recoup)
- Adding a legal bedroom (with egress). Turns a 3-bed home into a 4-bed in MLS listings. Huge price comp impact.
- Full bathroom. The difference between 2-bath and 3-bath is significant in resale.
- Open family room with LVP and good lighting. Buyers see usable square footage.
- Proper egress and code-compliant finish. Buyers don’t pay for unpermitted work.
Medium ROI (50–69% recoup)
- Wet bar or kitchenette
- Built-in entertainment center
- Storage room with shelving
- Tile shower in the basement bath
Low ROI (under 40%, do only if you want it)
- Home theater with tiered seating
- Wine cellar
- Sauna or steam shower
- Custom built-in bunk room (great for your kids, doesn’t pay back)
The hidden ROI nobody talks about
Daily livability. You’re paying mortgage on basement square footage you can’t use. Even a 60% ROI on the eventual sale is irrelevant compared to 10+ years of using the space. Build for yourself first.
Plan a basement that lives well AND resells well →
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