Replacing tub with shower a turnoff for families with young children - Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - Inman News Article
Q: I have a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home. I'm thinking of replacing a bathtub in one of the full baths with a full-sized, enclosed shower. If I do this, would my house now be considered as having less than two full baths? And, do you think this would have a negative impact on my home's resale value?
A: In terms of a future listing, I suppose, technically, that your house would now have one full bath, one 3/4 bath, and one half bath, but I think saying it that way would be complicated on a listing sheet. I'd just say 2 1/2 baths and either mention the new shower enclosure in the detail section of the listing sheet or let buyers find out for themselves.
It's hard to say whether replacing a bathtub with a shower would be a negative in the future. Fifty years ago, people were conditioned to having bathtubs in all bathrooms. Today, most adults take showers over baths because they take less time. Some seniors prefer showers to bathtubs because they're easier to get into.
And today's showers look nothing like shower stalls of old. Today's shower can be a steam room, with rain-like showerheads coming down from the ceiling instead of out from a wall, and high-pressure massage valves.
From my own experience, young families need at least one bath in a house so that they can bathe babies and young children. Having a fabulous shower might make your home worth more, with at least one of these kinds of bells and whistles, plus nice ceramic or granite tile should give your home's value a boost rather than detracting it.
But I can see that this might be different in other parts of the country. So, let's throw it open to everyone.
Readers: Do you think replacing a bathtub with a shower would increase or decrease the value of your house in your particular neighborhood? E-mail Ms. Glink at Ilyce@ThinkGlink.com and she will include your responses in a future Inman News column.
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