Full bath vs. 3/4 bath at re-sale time?

[Vipergrün]

Hello all, thinking about ditching the tub in my master bathroom and doing a nice walk-in shower. This would reduce my place to having two 3/4 baths.

I don't have the space for a nice soaking tub. A shower/tub combo seems to be a waste. Never been a huge bath fan.

Just wondering if this will hurt me at re-sale time. Also the major real estate search engines seem to have an option for full bath, so I'd be excluded from those searches I assume.

Thoughts?

Thanks
-Brad

[ckelly78z]

My situation is not so much caring about re-sale, more about being easier to access than a stepover tub. We have been tearing my downstairs full bath down to the studs over the last week. I intend to intall a really nice 60" shower base, and then tile the walls for waterproofing over green board. We are also replacing all plumbing, fixtures, toilet, vanity, and floor. My wife and I aren't getting any younger, and the possability of a handicap accesible full shower is a plus for our retirement years.

[legion]

I've had the same thought as well. My master bathroom is relatively small and having a larger vanity would be nice. We NEVER use the tub. I've taken to running the water in the tub once a week to keep the pipes flushed out.

We currently have two full baths, one 3/4 bath, and one half bath.

[VincentVega]

I think its resale depends on your specific market, most likely the 3-5 places the buyer is looking at. To me I prefer a shower, would never use a tub. Someone with little kids might want a tub. So it depends, do what works for you.

[Rtrorkt]

Need one tub in the house to satisfy the person that thinks they want to soak.

[Deschodt]

Having *one* tub in the house is a good thing so you are not losing the "parents of young kids" market... Other than that, I'd personally prefer a nice big walk in shower. Shower/tub combos are awful. In the end, I've never gotten hurt making the house what I wanted, as opposed to what the next buyer might or might not want. Especially if you make it a real nice shower...

[BeyGon]

One of the first things we have done in our last few homes was take one of the tubs out and put a walk in shower in it's place. You are going to live there, why not make it good for you. It will sell as "upgraded" and "modern".

[Zeke]

I agree with the comments so far. A way to look at this is how much would it cost to toss a tub back in if you decide to sell? If it's 2K and that makes the house worth 5K more, then you have your answer.

[look 171]

On the past few jobs, we removed the old tubs, many were jetted, for a big 4'x6' showers with a built in seat. All are dam-less. People started to discover that a tub isn't really used much. There are those who are still caught up with the idea that it must have a tub. I do run into a few that still like to soak in a tub. Parents with small kids like tubs but within a couple of years, kids grow and they no longer need them.

[kach22i]

A really nice shower trumps a tub any day in my book.

People who really want a tub probably want a specialized one anyway.

People who don't, don't want to pay for it.

[biosurfer1]

I agree with the "at least 1" baths suggestion. We have 3 full bathrooms. My wife and I use our tub once in a while. We use the tub in my son's bathroom every night for his bath (3 year old). The third bath? I doubt it's ever been filled, at least not while we have lived here.

[Craig T]

We just went through this conundrum last December when we remodeled our master bath. Considered dumping the tup as well. Our realtor told us that the trend is certainly going toward large open master showers with a BJ bench, but not having a tub will deter 50% of the buyers. Even if they aren't used much, most women like to know it's there when they want it.

We solved the problem with a short (5' 5") clawfoot tub. We pulled out the space consuming built in corner tub and blew out the very dated (1978) 36"x36" shower. We wanted a 4'x6 shower, but by staying to 4'x5', and shortening the vanity by a foot, we were able to fit the tub in. It's the only tub left in the house with 3 baths. The clawfoot also gives the impression there's more sq ft because you can see under it.

I think it's worth the effort to try to keep a tub in there.

[greglepore]

We just went through this, and ended up doing a concrete master bath floor with an open shower, but with a pedestal tub off to the side. Won't use the tub much, but we did it for resale and the odd occasion. No pics as its still in progress.

[Noah930]

If you have the space, Craig's design above looks great. Even if people don't use a tub much, often in a master bath I think buyers (the wives?) expect to have that luxury.

Having said that, we remodeled our bath last year, and kept in the jetted tub in which we also have our shower. We've used the tub maybe once in our 9 years here. It's a PITA big step/straddle every time we get in and out. Mrs. Noah regrets not getting rid of the thing, and just going with a nice, large walk-in shower. If we had to do it again, we'd ditch the tub. Personal comfort trumps potential resale value in the long term, in this situation.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Personal comfort trumps potential resale value in the long term, in this situation.

I agree with Noah here. ^^^ The only reason we worked so hard to fit in the tub is because we will be selling in less than two years.

[ckelly78z]

[QUOTE=Craig T;10250128] large open master showers with a BJ bench.

I like the idea of a BJ bench !

[Evans, Marv]

Of the three baths we have in our house, two are 3/4 baths. I couldn't care less about having a tub in the two baths that serve the back bedrooms. I think most people now days don't care much about tubs. In our main bathroom we have a walk in shower and a tub that has jets & all kinds of things. I've been in it once, and my wife has used it several times. The use it gets doesn't justify it's existence in my opinion.

[Vipergrün]

BJ bench...that's worth a remodel right there. LOL I'll have to get creative to separate the tub and shower, but I like that idea and appreciate the thoughts and advice.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

BJ bench...that's worth a remodel right there. LOL I'll have to get creative to separate the tub and shower, but I like that idea and appreciate the thoughts and advice.

So, you're by Channel Islands Harbor? We may be neighbors soon. Sending PM.

[rfuerst911sc]

I would think a tub would be a selling feature for a young family ( kids ) and for elderly to soak aching bones/muscles . But the trend now is large walk in showers . Never heard of a BJ bench but I like the sound of it