"Tony" wrote in message

I have a 1000sq/ft ranch with a full finished basement. So, in actuality,
I have 2000sq/ft of living
space. When the house is sold, it can only be listed as 1000sq/ft. So, I
am being taxed for
1000sq/ft.

I've never seen a tax based on square feet, but that does not mean it does
not exist. Value is what is used in most every town. What does your tax
bill read? There is probably a assessment for $xxx and a mil rate.

There is no advantage to either type of construction as far as taxes. What
does matter is what works for you. When building your dream house, you
decide what size kitchen you want. Then you determine how many bedrooms
you need and how big they should be, how many baths, etc. That same amount
of space can be configured many different ways, many different styles, with
and without a basement.

Look at some older houses versus new. Bedrooms upstairs and laundry
facilities in the basement. Dumb, huh? Seems even dumber as we get older
and have to carry things up and down the steps. Newer designs are finally
putting the laundry near the point of use.

Basements make nice work shops, Unless it is a walk out, you have to get
everything up and down also. That works hop on ground level sounds much
better. Some basements make good swimming pools, but that was never
intended. Dry basements may be nice, but wet ones present problems.

Small lot? Stacking makes a lot of sense. Saves on roofing cost also as
less area has to be covered. Better? Well painting up high is not as much
fun as painting the same house spread out low. Each house has advantages
To just say one is superior to another is silly as we all have different
needs.