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Renovating Q re: bathrooms (long, PIPs)
Hi all...I'm mostly a lurker, but I need some renovating advice.
H and I have a 1,800 sq ft (including basement), 1 1/2-story house from 1927. (Pic below):
We've lived here for 5 years and plan to stay another few years before selling and moving. A lot of the houses around us are similar in size/age to ours.
We're planning to renovate our kitchen sometime this year or next year. It's just outdated and teensy, so we're hoping to move some things around to maximize cabinet/work space.
Now for the relevant info: we have 3 beds, 1 full bath. The bath and 2 bedrooms are on the main floor, and the 3rd bedroom is a converted attic upstairs - this is the mini living area right off the stairs, and the doorway to the right is the bed area:
The basement is mostly finished, with a living area, an office, and an unfinished laundry area/work space.
This is the full bath (on the main floor), so you can see what we have - it's quite small:
Here are my questions: 1. Would it be worth it for us to add another bathroom? 2. If yes, where?
We were considering adding one to the 3rd bedroom upstairs and make it more of a master suite (probably a shower + toilet). We had a contractor look at this a couple years ago, and he said we could put the bathroom somewhere in the area where the white closet door is, if you look at the 2nd bedroom pic.
Another option would be to just add a bathroom (maybe toilet only?) to the basement.
This isn't our forever home, so we have to keep that in mind. However, most homes in our area do have 2 baths, but not necessarily both full baths. We're also operating under the assumption that our house would appeal to older buyers, singles, or young couples - I think it's less likely that a family of four or five would be buying our house.
SO...given all of this information, what do you think? Just stick with the 1 bath we have now? Add another bath somewhere? I appreciate any feedback or suggestions!
Re: Renovating Q re: bathrooms (long, PIPs)
Your house is so cute!
Have you asked a real estate agent how much value it would add to your home? I know there are loads of places where houses tend to be smaller and no one would be shocked by only having one bathroom. That said, I think a house with two bathrooms (especially one in the master) would be easier to sell.
I guess it's a general rule that kitchens and baths sell homes. You said your home is like others in your area (but it has fewer bathrooms). I'd do whatever you can to set it apart.
I like the idea of making at least a 3/4 bath, possibly a full if it fits, on your top level for a master suite. Buyers like master suites. I'd ditch the "seating area" up there, if possible, in favor of a nice bathroom since you have seating areas elsewhere in the home.
Also, a toilet only in the basement is weird. You should at least put in a sink and make it a 1/2 bath. I mean, who goes potty and doesn't wash their hands..........so if you could make your home a 2 1/2 bath home, that would be good for selling. BTW, your existing bath looks really good!
Sorry, I had to laugh reading this. Yes, I meant a half bath - toilet and sink. I figured the sink was a given.
To the previous poster - We had a realtor come over a couple of years ago, who said that adding a bath in the upstairs bedroom would be a great value add for the house. However, she was associated with the contractor we were working with at the time, so I'm not sure if I can totally trust what she said. She also didn't specifically say how much we'd get back from it.
Re: drawing floor plans...I guess I can try to do that, but my issue here isn't necessarily where in the basement or where in the upstairs room it's going to be...more of like, is it better to add a 3/4 bath upstairs for a master suite (and probably spend more money) vs. a 1/2 bath in a basement (that will be less expensive)? Or not do either?
I think adding a 3/4 bath on the second floor is the best option.
I love your house, it is a total charmer!
Our home has a tiny little postage stamp of a master bath. But in an area where master baths are not the norm, even that small 3/4 bath was a huge selling point for us. Of course we are a family and hence not the target demographic you mentioned.
Id have another realtor comev to give you an opinion about how much value each project would add, then talk to a contractor so you can do a cost benefit comparison.
I'd probably do one with at least a shower on the 3rd floor. Then you can make that the master BR (if it isn't already) and have a private bath. Guests or kids in the 1st floor bedrooms can use the main bath.
If you put the bath in the basement, you'll have to use the 1st floor bath for you and DH and guests (If you were entertaining on the main floor I assume you wouldn't make them go into the basement.). So, you'd really be sharing both baths with guests.
As someone who doesn't have a master bath, I like the idea of having a non-guest bath whether or not it's en suite.
If you spend tons of time in the basement and/or don't want to use the 3rd floor as your master BR, I might change my mind.
This is a really good point...I hadn't really thought of that. Thanks!