Bathroom updates can be wise investment
A bathroom can be a major deal breaker — or maker — in a home sale.
Nicole Glasgow, a Howard Hanna realtor, said many of the clients she has “typically expect to have a house that's move-in ready.”
“A big part of that,” she said, “is having a bathroom that's already been renovated or updated.”
Buyers often have expectations for bathrooms, including number and style, Glasgow said. For instance, if the space allows for it, master bathrooms with double sinks and larger showers are popular.
Dale Conrad of Conrad Kitchen & Bath in Cranberry Township confirmed that big showers are one of the hottest trends in recent years. “Lots of people are going for the look of a larger shower,” Conrad said.
Conrad said it's not uncommon to see people expanding typically sized showers at 32 inches by 36 inches to 36 by 48 or even 36 by 60.
In addition to larger showers, he said people are looking for an overall bigger and more open concept. Removing walls and doorways to make a home feel more open and achieve a larger format is part of many plans he sees.
Bathroom remodels won't necessarily recoup at resale everything homeowners spend to update it, according to the National Association of Realtors, but they are one of the higher return projects that can be done.
Anecdotally, a brand new bathroom also helps inspire offers on a house, and small, inexpensive updates to this space could help fetch 2 to 3 percent more during a sale, according to the association.
Glasgow said it all depends on the house.
“If you have a small house with only one bathroom, you want to make sure it's very nice because the entire family and any guests that come will also be using it,” she said. “If the bathroom is still in usable condition and there are other things that would show up in a home inspection, work on those things first.”
Another recommendation Glasgow gives is in regard to a “Pittsburgh potty.”
“If someone has a (toilet) in their basement, and they do have the ability to finish that into a half or full bathroom, I would do that because adding bathrooms to your home may increase the value,” she said.
Glasgow said other improvements that can be made include removing and replacing the Jacuzzi tubs that “are going out of style.”
“They don't seem to be as popular anymore,” she said. “People are doing a soaking tub instead, and they're also doing big showers.”
Conrad confirmed that many people are also replacing whirlpool tubs — the older versions of which he said can be “bacteria havens” — with freestanding tubs.
Popular finishes for bathrooms are white quartz, grays and chrome, Conrad said. Anything to achieve a sleek, modern look — including mirror and lighting improvements — should be a priority for bathroom remodels.
“Some people try to just do a facelift,” Conrad said, “but most of our jobs are total remodels.”
To get a new or updated look, Conrad said, homeowners likely have to do a full remodel. He said updated kitchens and bathrooms “sell homes.”
Glasgow warns of the dangers of “over-improving” a bathroom — or other parts of a home — by putting a large amount of money into a house that you're not going to get back once it sells.
“I have clients sometimes who do a remodel and call me afterward,” she said. “I recommend calling a real estate agent before any remodeling, so we can determine what type of work should be in and what's popular to put in a bathroom. It definitely is a benefit because it gives me something else to advertise the house to pique interest from people.”
For those interested in selling their homes quickly, a smaller update might work, but Conrad said upgrading more holistically is not only a wise investment for people keeping their homes, but also for those who might want to sell a few years down the road.
“It definitely will sell the house,” he said, “but they can also enjoy it for years.”
