Basement and Cellar Rear Yard View

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BASEMENT & CELLAR APARTMENTS REAR YARD VIEW

Basement and cellar apartments address other housing needs that can otherwise be unmet in neighborhoods of small homes. Explore the street above to read stories representative of people for whom these apartments can offer a solution. Click to see who's home.

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Basement and cellar apartments let people adapt existing buildings to respond to changes in their lives or circumstances. Explore the street above to read stories representative of the choices these apartments can offer to homeowners. Click to see who's home.

BASEMENT & CELLAR APARTMENTS STREET VIEW

A Foothold in the Neighborhood

"It’s just my daughter and me here. I wanted to live in this neighborhood so she could go to the public school. There aren't many rentals here, let alone something I can afford. This apartment has been a great opportunity for us."

Owner And Renter Aging In Place

"Rain started pouring in through the roof during the last storm. I wouldn’t have been able to pay for the repair on my Social Security check alone. … I’ve been renting to Anthony for years. He’s like family now. He looks after the place when I’m out of town visiting my kids."

Multigenerational Family

"We moved to the garden unit so my son and his family could live upstairs. I watch my grandkids after school, so they don’t need daycare. I get privacy when I want it, and we get lots of time together as a family."

First-Time Homeowners

"Our salaries together weren’t going to be enough for us to be sure we could keep up with the house and all our other expenses. Renting a unit in the basement made homeownership financially attainable for us!"

Owner and Renter Aging in Place

"I had to move when my last landlord increased my rent. I’m 58. I was grateful to find a place that I could afford in the neighborhood. I’ve lived in this area for about 15 years and have had friends over almost every Tuesday night to play dominoes. Now Ed from upstairs joins us."

The basement tenant improves the physical and financial security of the elderly homeowner.The elderly owner no longer drives and has no use for off-street parking.

Supplemental Income

"Since my mom passed, I’ve been holding on to the house. When my hours were cut, I started having a hard time paying the mortgage. Since I began renting the unit downstairs, I stopped worrying about losing my home."

Just Starting Out

"I'm new to New York City and wanted to live near my cousin's family. They’re a couple blocks over and they’ve been helping me settle in. There aren't many options for single adults like me, but this place is perfect."

The rental income increased their buying power.Qualifying Fannie Mae borrowers purchasing or refinancing a home can include rental income to help them qualify for the loan.

Multigenerational Family

"Buying this house together with my parents was an easy decision. It gives us the chance to own our home, and my parents can stop worrying about keeping up with maintenance. We can share a lot of living expenses, and we get to be close without having to be together all the time!"