So....buy DVC or finish the Basement??

[Cruelladeville]

DVC--we had a 3 bedroom ranch on 1 1/2 acres with a fully finished basement, and the kids wouldn't play down there without us! So I tried spending more time with them down there, and I developed panic attacks!! So we sold that home--your right, basements don't add resale value--and bought a 4 bedroom in town with a Michigan basement and lots and lots of windows, and our first DVC contract!! It was the absolutely best decision for us--even with a couple of panic attacks at Disney. Go for DVC.

 

[Jen D]

Will you still be going to Disney every year anyway and spending money on accomodations? If so, I'd buy DVC.

I guess it depends on how much you need a finished basement.

 

[disneymom3]

Jen, that is the thing--I keep telling DH that we won't go for a couple of years at least and then next thing you know I am trying to finagle a way to get us back much much sooner.

And as far as need the space, well as I said we have 2300 sq feet with three kids who all have their own rooms. Thing is we homeschool and I do have this picture in my head of what I would like to do for school space down there with lots of cupboards and bookshelves. However, I am not sure it would work as well as just doing school in the kitchen and dealing with the clutter. In the kitchen it is just part of daily life whereas in the basement we would have to actually go there. I think I need to get the "other side" and ask my homeschooling folks if they think the basement school area is one they would really in reality use.

 

[disneymom3]

If it was during F&F promotion hands down, DVC.

Now, have you considered an OKW theme down in the basement?

Good Luck,

-Tony

(I'd still do the DVC)

What is F&F promotion?

 

[Cinderella]

Julie, from reading your post, I think you're already biased towards DVC anyway. As you said, finishing the basement would cost more than the value it would add to your property - and you don't even know how long you plan on living there anyway.

I vote for dvc - if that's what you really want - go for it.

 

[plutomastif]

I finished my basement last year approx. 800 sqf. I did a play room, family room, kithenette, small office area, and a full bath for less than $9,000. Off course I did most myself and sub contracted the electric and drywall. My family uses it everyday, mostly the kids because I put all of there stuff down there. If you do home school you probably already need the room just to get your home back. sounds like you know your answer.

 

[TeresaNJ]

All I know is that when I want to get away from it all, going to my finished basement doesn't do it for me, LOL. Honestly, DVC and WDW is my sanity in this crazy/frenetic world we live in. I'm obviously in the "go with DVC" camp.

 

[TinkGirl]

Finishing our basement was our best home improvement move ever! I was even against spending the money to do it. Now the kids have somewhere to go with their friends, and I don't have to hear the constant tv/video game/computer noise while I'm working in the kitchen. Our whole family prefers relaxing in our finished basement. Any chance you could get another estimate and do both? You don't really need carpeting, right?

 

[Mom B]

Well, we DO have DVC and DON't have a finished basement. (Well, we do have one small bedroom down there but the rest hasn't changed much from the day it was built...in about 1917!) Heck, it would be NICE if we could just get it to stop leaking every spring, but...I'd buy MORE DVC points first. Of course, our kids are all out of the house but one, so we don't need the space that much anymore. Could have used it 10 or 15 years ago...

 

[FreeTime]

We bought DVC before we even bought our house so I can't give you much advice on whether or not to buy or finish your basement, because obviously our priorties were not in place!

However, if you decide to finish your basement I would suggest that you get the Owens Corning basement. We had this done and it is great! Very soundproof, removable walls to get to pipes etc. It was pricey but I think well worth it over drywall.

 

[blitzkrieg048]

If your handy the easy part is framing out the room. I would have someone do electrical work. Sheetrocking isn't all that bad. then have someone skim coat it with plaster and sand the walls down. Plenty left for DVC...Welcome Home.

 

[NYCDVClover2000]

I had to say that in my house we would buy into DVC the basement will always be there. DVC points keep going up.

Stacy

 

[castleri]

DVC all the way - have a finished basement - that doesn't get used - planning trips and actually doing them is much more enjoyable. Bet you could do a faux finish with a piece of indoor outdoor carpet and a few cabinets and shelving units that would enclose an area you could use for the schooling instead of a full blown finish job and have DVC too. .

 

[Buckalew11]

I am sorta in the same boat. There are some things that would be nice to do to my house but I can also live without them just fine. Am thinking of DVC (yes one day, not the next) instead and will probably go with DVC because we go to WDW quite often (once a year is minimum) and I really would love to stay in such wonderful accomodations (as opposed to Values, Mods and S/D which I love but am not sure how long my luck will hold out).

I'm voting DVC because when I look back to being a kid, I have very fond memories of places we vacationed as opposed to our home (which was always nice but not a showplace).

 

[MELSMICE]

LOL - we were posed with the same question about 3 1/2 years ago. We opted to go with DVC first & as I type this, we are in the process of having our basement remodeled. I saved every penny I could over the last 3 1/2 years to get it done.

How old are your kids (if you have any)? I wanted to get ours done so our kids would have someplace fun & comfortable to go with our friends.

I can't wait until it's done.

BTW - we have used our DVC numerous times, have added on 2X & DH just said about 15 minutes ago that he would like to buy more points.

 

[PinkTink63]

Oh my, am I the only one that would do DVC and not the basement??????

No! You are not the only one that would do DVC! I'd probably figure out a way to do both! (Maybe not buy as many points!)
My house was built in 1910 and it is a never ending project! If we waited until everything was just right, we would never go anywhere!
Right after we bought DVC, our toilet broke, the washing machine broke, and somebody hit and ran our Jeep. (Parked in front of our house, mind you!)
That's Life! It is always going to be something!
Good Luck!
Stephanie

 

[loribell]

Since we don't have a basement I would by DVC. Oh who am I kidding I would by DVC rather than finish a basement regardless! LOL!

Lori

 

[Disneyrsh]

We bought DVC last year. We need a garage. Every now and then we look at the DVC, then we look outside.

We love DVC sooooo much, we get in freezing cold cheap cars in the morning, just to have our vacations.

It's worth it when they say 'welcome home' when we drive up.

I'm saving for my garage, but so far, we haven't been able to give up our DVC. Probably never will!

Nuts, maybe.

Very, very, happy nuts, though....

 

[MinnieGi]

We're in the process of getting estimates to finish our basement. It certainly is not cheap. Now we already have our DVC so I don't have to make a choice! My heart says go for the DVC - its soooooo much fun!!! But my practical side says do the basement! You mentioned you have three kids and homeschool I would think a finished school room would be so ideal for you.

Maybe could you just finish a school room size off of the basement and then do smaller 150 - 180 point DVC contract??? I think I would find a way to get both my wishes. Good luck!

 

[SWVA BGSU Fan]

If you are planning on staying in your home, I'd say finish the basement. We own at OKW and absolutely love DVC...can't wait for our June trip.

We finished our basement about 13 years ago and it was the best renovation that we've ever done to our home and we've done a LOT since that time. We spend most of our time in the den/rec. room that used to be unfinished basement.

It all comes down on whether you plan to stay in your home. DVC is GREAT but most of us spend considerably more time in our primary residence. I'd love to spend more time at OKW though