DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Remodeling bathroom - if I take out bathtub, is it going to hurt my resale potential?

1974 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  TarheelTerp
I realize this question has been beaten to death. Maybe there's not going to be a simple answer.

I have a small house and a small bathroom (and only one). It's time to remodel it because the sink and tub are disgusting. I really don't *need* a bath tub but I anticipate not living here forever and I want to be able to sell it. I think walk-in showers with tiles are nicer and safer, but I realize that it may not work for everyone, especially people who have babies or dogs. Has anyone else been in a similar situation and did you have trouble selling a home with no bathtub?
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
That would eliminate 50% of the buyers.
General rule ladys like a bathtub men prefure a shower.
I would think with all the properties available to purchase that if I wanted a home with a bath tub you'd either have to give me a great price (so I could pay to have one installed) or I'd just pass by yours til I found one that had a tub.

I would never have a home without at least one tub. of course you could find someone that didn't want a tub either. It just reduces the number of people that would be interested in your home.
All houses need a tub! I would never buy or even rent a house with a tub. Do I actually bathe in a tub, heck no, but I want the option to be able too.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I agree with the guys.....

But at the end of the day....it's your house....

My position....do stuff to your house because YOU want it that way....don't base decisions on resale...unless your just flipping the house.

Your situation is sort of like my garage....to most appraisers, my garage (2-story) does not add to the value of my property....but to the right guy....it adds a lot....I didn't build my garage for resale...I built it for me.
Reminds of the day my sister and brother inlaw were out looking at houses.
Roll up and there's a huge 2 story garage with over sized door.
The house was a 5 year old real nice log cabin with a porch over looking a pond.
Both get out at the same time, my sister walks toward the house and my brother inlaw walks toward the garage, both saying sold at the same time.
Reminds of the day my sister and brother inlaw were out looking at houses.
Roll up and there's a huge 2 story garage with over sized door.
The house was a 5 year old real nice log cabin with a porch over looking a pond.
Both get out at the same time, my sister walks toward the house and my brother inlaw walks toward the garage, both saying sold at the same time.
Yep....sounds about right.....:thumbsup:
yep when we were looking, i gave the wife just one wish off my list. three stall garage.
There are other variables to consider regarding a bathtub. How many bedrooms do you have?
If you are in an established "family" neighborhood and your house would be most likely sold to a family, then yes, not having a tub will probably hurt you.
On the other hand if you are in a college town, or in an area more likely to sell to a couple or single, it may not be as essential.
A local realtor is the best person to answer this question.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this I really appreciate it.

My house is small and only has one bathroom. I live in good sized city but also near a college.

I think based on what I'm reading, it would be wise to try to keep a bath tub.
In my opinion, a wise choice. We have two bathrooms and two bedrooms. By design, one bathroom has no tub and the other has no shower. While we were building the house (did it ourselves), one of the kids commented about the arrangement's effect on resale value. Since we are retired and not planning to ever move again, I told her someday that'll be her problem.
I have a small house and a small bathroom (and only one).
Maybe there's not going to be a simple answer.
Simple? Sure. Cheap? No.
Add an altogether second bathroom.

I'm in the midst of planning almost exactly that.
The new master suite bathroom will be shower only.
The remodeled (and smaller than now) hall bathroom will still have a tub.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top