O'Neil Property Group
Live DeKalb listings updated daily from the MLS — plus what local buyers should know before making a move.
Basements are nearly universal in DeKalb — full-height, poured foundations became standard through the subdivision boom — which makes the finished ones a market of their own. A finished lower level in a Heatherstone or Devonaire Farms two-story adds a family room, office, gym, or guest space at a fraction of what the same square footage costs upstairs, and buyers here have learned to shop for it: at the same list price, the finished-basement home tours first. This search shows every active DeKalb listing; basement details live on each listing’s detail page, and we shortlist true finished lower levels for clients on request.
Looking for help narrowing down your search? Call or text Kealan at 630-381-4995 for a personalized list of homes that match your budget and priorities.
Active listings pulled directly from the MLS.
Expect the best examples in the 2000s–2010s belt, where 8-foot pours and egress windows made quality finishes straightforward. Look for permitted work, real egress on any bedroom, and mechanicals left accessible. Older in-town homes offer lower ceilings and semi-finished space — useful, but priced differently. New construction at Bridges of Rivermist offers finish-ready basements, sometimes with builder finish packages.
The subdivision belt — Heatherstone, Kensington Pointe, Hidden Grove, Devonaire Farms, The Knolls — produces most of DeKalb’s quality finished basements, and walkout or lookout lots (scattered where grades allow, including parts of Bridges of Rivermist) carry the premium versions with natural light. On the older grid, judge each basement individually: ceiling height, moisture history, and permit trail vary house to house.
Verify permits on finished space — unpermitted bathrooms and bedrooms complicate insurance, appraisal, and resale. Any basement bedroom needs code egress; no exceptions worth making. Run a moisture check regardless of finish quality: sump behavior, grading, and any efflorescence tell the truth. Appraisers credit below-grade space at a discount, which we factor into every offer we write on these homes.
A finished basement is the cheapest square footage you can buy in DeKalb — but only when it was done right. The delta between a permitted, dry, egressed lower level and a fast cosmetic job is enormous at resale. We walk that distinction on every showing, and for sellers, we know exactly how to present (and price) each kind honestly.
Whether you are just starting your search or ready to schedule a showing, Kealan O’Neil is here to help you every step of the way.
