I am about to embark on another massive remodeling scheme. We have this bubble tub that we never use. Our hot water heater can't generate enough hot water to fill it. And even if it did, I don't use the thing because we have the hot tub outside, already filled with hot water. The inside tub is just not as fun, since both of us feel cramped when we share it. If we removed the hot tub and turned that room into huge walk-in closet, we would really use that space.
But then, would the house lose its resale value?
My contractor will be coming over soon and we'll try to see if a tub shower combo can fit where we currently have our shower stall. It may be too small a space, so what if we had no tub at all?
These questions are going around and around in my head. What would you do?
If you were retiring, and downsizing and looked at a house with no tub, but did have a hot tub outside, would you buy it? Would you rather have a shower tub combo or could you be happy with just a shower? Would the walk-in closet trump all the other options?
I put a survey on the sidebar, and I would love it if you helped me out. Thanks!
Depends. House should have one tub. So if you already have one elsewhere, then no tub needed here. But is this an area for a bedroom, then need a shower. But you can never have enough closets. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am convinced that most housing alterations done for those with physical limitations are beneficial to all. My parents had a walk-in shower with a seat, a hand-held shower, and grab bars. I liked it so much, that I put a similar one in one of our bathrooms. We do have a tub/shower combo in our other bathroom (but with grab bars), so I guess we are covered on the resale front. Good luck on your decision.
ReplyDeleteDepends. House should have one tub. So if you already have one elsewhere, then no tub needed here. But is this an area for a bedroom, then need a shower. But you can never have enough closets. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think if a family with young children were likely to buy your house they might require some sort of bath for the children.
ReplyDeleteCynthia in UK
I think you need to do what best suites you and Dave now and forget about what some unknown person at some unknown time might like or dislike about your house!
ReplyDeleteI am looking to downsize and plan to change out a bathtub for a walk in shower if none is already in the house.
I would love to downsize at this point, so if we found a house with a huge walk in closet, beautiful landscaping, outdoor living space AND a studio, we could definitely overlook no tub. Who's got time for that?
ReplyDeleteI think the only situation where it would be a mistake is if you were to sell to someone with kids. I haven't used a tub in 15 years, at least. Can you leave the plumbing in the closet for an easy remodel and disguise it somehow so it's available for an easy, future remodel?
ReplyDeleteI've spent 32 years in real estate. Yes, it's true appraisers give value to full baths, half baths, etc. Does the bubble tub room have a sink and toilet? it would more than likely need those things for an appraiser to add value as a bathroom. Here's the thing though...if you remodel this into the closet or whatever you want you will always have the plumbing running to that room. It would not be a huge deal to put a shower or tub of some kind back in if and when you sell. That is advice your realtor could give you based on his or her expertise in what buyers in your market want. In the meantime do what suits your life best. What you want to do is totally reversible so resale doesn't need to be part of your decision. Why live within the constrictions of imaginary buyers?
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I thought was: Huh. With all your getting rid of stuff, is there a need for a huge walk-in closet? For more storage?
ReplyDeleteAs for bathrooms, imo the ideal resale combo would be one regular tub and a good-size walk-in shower.
I'm with those who mentioned that not having a regular tub may limit your potential buyers (esp those with kids). The buyers wouldn't want the extra expense and bother of refitting the bath. Would you want to refit a closet back to a bathroom, at a time when you're thinking of moving?
We remodeled our bathrooms last summer and opted to put in a new bathtub (with no shower), although we don't use it. Our designer agreed that we needed to keep the tub for resale. The shower is in the second bathroom. This way we still have two full bathrooms.
ReplyDeleteDo what you need, and don't worry about resale! We moved into our house nine years ago, and my kids were in elementary school. We have used the bathtub maybe twice, (when my daughter had an allergic reaction and needed an oatmeal bath). My second bathroom has a shower only, which I use as a closet for yarn and batting. So, yes, go for the walk in closet and don't worry about future imaginary buyers' kids. Let them figure it out in the very far distant future.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the "forever" house do whatever suits your fancy and do not worry about resale. After you are gone it won't matter a hoot what you did to the house. Someone else can remodel.
ReplyDeleteIf you plan to sell in the next 2-4 years, put in a tub. If you plan to live there for 10+ years, do what you want. A larger shower and closet would win me.
ReplyDeleteI voted for keeping an inside tub but feel I should explain that while showers are for keeping clean a bath by myself with lots of lovely bath oil etc. is for relaxing. Having said that I've never had a hot tub or a lovely Dave to share it with so that might work just as well for destressing- Cheryl
ReplyDeleteI live in a new build neighborhood that has houses with large bathrooms. About half of them have fancy tubs like you show. The other half have what I like to call "party showers" (some of the bigger houses have both, of course). In a Master Bath, a large walk in shower, with a few shower heads seems to do as well for value as the tub, because many people are starting to realize no one ever uses the tub.
ReplyDeleteOur house doesn't have the tub, but has a wonderful shower, with a bench to sit on, and plenty of room.
I would much rather have a wonderful closet than a tub that will never be used.
Hey Melody,
ReplyDeleteWe have two tubs. A six foot claw and a huge tub/shower combo. At this stage we'd love a walk in shower. The side of the tub to step over is getting higher and higher. You mentioned retirees. Walk in shower would make a difference to us. And, a big walk-in closet? Nice!!
Maggie in Arizona
We had to rebuild our house after a fire and the first thing to go was that hateful corner tub! In its place went a huge walk in shower approx 5 ft x 5 ft). The footprint for the old shower was perfect for a small deep tub our plumber found. I didn't care whether we had a tub or not. My husband uses it to wash out his dive gear in the winter. It is pretty much a dust catcher. We are so happy with our new shower. Do what you want and don't worry about resale.
ReplyDeleteMel, you have done so many wonderful things with your property. Someone will fall in love with the garden and your other improvements.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people won't buy a house without a dishwasher, but you did.
There is a buyer for every property talk it over with your contractor and maybe the person who sold you the house. Come up with a plan that you and Dave like. So far all your choices have been good ones.
I say go for the closet! As Linda said you or who ever buys it can always replace the tub, the plumbing will be there. This house is yours right now, make it fit your life style!
ReplyDeleteHi Melody, as the wife of a plumber and several friends who are realtors, tubs do help resale, whether its a combo or stand alone. I would put in a combo in your case and get rid of that awful pink tub. You never know a young family might just purchase your home and want a tub.
ReplyDeleteWe have three bathrooms, three bathtub/showers. Our house came with one bath/shower, and when we we did extensive remodeling, we added two more upstairs. We had a five year old and a two year old at the time, and it didn't occur to us not to have bathtubs. Well, things change... None of the bathtubs have been used for a bath since the kids were young (the "baby" is now 27...) Even if I liked baths (which I never have) I doubt that I'd be able to get up out of the tub now...lol. Go for the closet, definitely, and like others have said, don't worry about imaginary buyers/children sometime in the (hopefully) distant future.
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought this house eight years ago there was only a very ugly shower in the main bathroom and neither a tub nor shower in the ensuite, though there was room for one where the long counter with only one sink was. No hot tub. And though I almost always prefer a shower to a bath I did want the option of being able to take a bath (plus, in a cooler climate, an inch or two of hot water in a bathtub is an excellent spot for rubbermaid containers of fabric being dyed in plastic containers when it's too cold to dye outdoors and the laundry sink is too small). So I went back to work to save for the renovations. Now I have a tub/shower combo in the main bathroom and a shower in the ensuite and am happily re-retired. Resale was a secondary consideration; I think that if you don't want the combo but if you have the space and water supply nearby, you could point that out to a potential buyer. Can you foresee a time when you might want to take a bath, even if only occasionally?
ReplyDeleteWe recently moved into a house with a large walk in shower with a bench etc and no tub in the master. I am a bather so I have to walk down the hall every night to take a bath. We will remodel this within a year! Hate the hassle. I think that is why thie otherwise wonderful home didn't sell.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
I say, "Please yourself"! Life is too short to be the caretaker of the wrong details! Forget the tyranny of the 3 R's (Resale, Reputation, Retirement). Suit yourself and let someone else take care of their needs. (Besides as you said, they'd need to upsize the hot water heater anyway! And that could be YEARS down the road, when other house fashions are the rule, not these oversized monsters that used to be all the rage. Who uses them honestly anyway!)
ReplyDeleteI take showers....so....a great shower would be all I would want....if a family is looking at a house...they always have to have a tub for the little ones....??
ReplyDeleteTo be honest your existing bath would put me off buying. I wouldn't want something so large, expensive to fill with hot water etc etc so a remodelling would be necessary anyway. Suggest you put a cupboard in if thats what you want but leave the basic plumbing in situ.
ReplyDeleteI'm with those who say live for the now for you and Dave. Muttley and I have no bath in our wee one bed roomed granny flat, and I have only wished for one about twice in the fifteen years we have been here. But a hot tub outside? Now that sounds fantastic! Life is a short but sweet experience. Don't let the angst that others in the future might feel get in the way of your life. You have always solved your problems...they will too!
ReplyDeleteI'm with those who say live for the now for you and Dave. Muttley and I have no bath in our wee one bed roomed granny flat, and I have only wished for one about twice in the fifteen years we have been here. But a hot tub outside? Now that sounds fantastic! Life is a short but sweet experience. Don't let the angst that others in the future might feel get in the way of your life. You have always solved your problems...they will too!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the Live For Now camp. Only if you are preparing your house for an imminent sale would you be putting in that tub to appeal to a broader market. For yourselves, I'd put in the closet. You will LOVE it. Btw, I love a good soak in the tub on a cold winter's day, but it just never happens. I would be happy with a big walkin shower instead of the tub shower combo we have now.
ReplyDeleteWow. So many opinions. I'll add my own. No one with kids will want to buy this house because it's so obviously an adult retreat. And because it's so remote. There is not one space that says "potential kid's room." Playroom, perhaps, but then you already play in there. I just can't see it happening. So I vote for no indoor tub.
ReplyDeleteHow many bathrooms do you have? I would want at least 2. One with a large shower only and the other bathtub/shower combination. I would not buy a house with those huge bathtubs. To hard to clean.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you need a walk in closet... Did you not write you do not have to many clothes ?.. ;-)
I believe you could cap everything off that is "bathroom" hardware and install a closet just fine. When we did our addition I had a huge jetted tub put installed in such a way that it could be removed and a washer and dryer could replace it. That was thinking ahead for when I don't/can't go downstairs to do the laundry.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely would not consider a home without a tub. Whether I used it or not, there are times when an inside soak is just what the dr ordered -- literally or figuratively. Good luck with remodeling - I do not like it one bit and admire those that do!
ReplyDeletePersonally I wonder how many people actually use those fancy bubble tubs anyway. We've been looking at both new and older houses here in Cheyenne. Everytime there's one of the bubble tubs it looks brand spanking new yet the shower always shows wear and tear. I'd say that as long as a guest bath has a shower/tub combo that you're good to just put in a very nice walk-in shower. If we actually go the build route then we'd have a big walk-in shower and more storage than the fancy tub in the master bath. Bottom line, do what you and Dave want to live with now. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love a bathtub, especially during our cold winters in Wisconsin! Tough choices!
ReplyDeleteMy last house had a permanent spa pool/hot tub, and I was aware that it chewed up the electricity and needed regular cleaning, chemicals and maintenance - all costing $$. We also had two showers and an ordinary bath - what you call a tub. The family who bought the house promptly removed the spa- on grounds of safety with little kids - but the bath was on their "Must have" list. So, I'd suggest that if you've got a bath in one of your bathrooms then you don't need two, but you do need one. A walk-in shower box is wonderful - it lets you wash the dog, shower, and works as a disabled shower if necessary. I love our big shower.
ReplyDeleteI agree that in the end, it's most important that the house functions for you, and your needs in the short and medium term, rather than the imagined needs of a future owner.
Good luck. I'm sure you'll have fun working it out!
I just can't imagine sitting in a tub of lukewarm water and felling clean afterwards. Showers only!!
ReplyDeleteI would not worry about resale value, unless you know that you will be selling the house sometime soon. You are doing a lot of things inside and outside to make this your home, so do what feels right for you, not for the next owner. I think a huge walk in shower would be great. And everyone can always use more closets.
ReplyDeleteJust do whatever you like. If you think a retiring couple might be your future target market, a huge walk-in shower with seating is far more practical for people with decreased mobility. And in the meantime, just make changes that meet yours and Dave's needs.
ReplyDeletethey do make a 48" x 27" bathtub that might fit in the current shower hole... http://www.americanstandard-us.com/bathtubs/huron-4-foot-recess-bathtub/
ReplyDeleteCould you put a tub in another bathroom?
Draw up dimensions and layouts of your current bathrooms and post them.
Could you do a knock out in the big bathroom for a big closet (yes expand outward some), and do a huge walk in shower (with big wide door) where the big tub is now and a claw foot tub or modern tub (free standing) where the current shower is?
Is there easy access to the plumbing from under the house? (There is a crawl space, right?)
ReplyDeleteI think the layout of your bathroom is odd. I see you have a cubby hole or linen closet to the right of the tub with some divider walls taking up space. That could probably be relocated to allow you a free standing smaller tub and nice size closet in the bathroom by where the huge tub is now and the linen cabinet. Draw up your bathroom with dimensions and current locations of tub, shower, etc. and I bet a few of us could toss some ideas your way without it being a huge remodel.
There seems to be a picture of a shower which is far bigger than a three square foot shower. So if the next folks want a tub THEY can do the little remodel and add the tub. Those inside wiz bang tubs are such a pain to clean and I would think get into and out of that not many in the retirement chapter would truly enjoy the tub you are "remodeling". Closets are are great and you seem to be the sort that does not let a closet become a pack rat cave. Is there one bathroom in this house? or is there another that has a tub?
ReplyDeleteHallo Melody,
ReplyDeletevolgens mij is een inloopdouche ideaal.
groetjes,
Ymme
Oops! Sorry Melody - haaving computer problems, and it's making me particularly twitty! I wish I understood computers... I now can't remember my password Grrr! No wonder I got your name wrong ... I can't remember my own!
ReplyDeleteEven with an outside hot tub, I would want a tub in the master bathroom... and in at least one other bathroom in the house. As things are in my current home we have a tub in one bathroom and showers in the other two. I never use the other two. There is a shower with the tub so if I REALLY want a shower I can take it there.
ReplyDelete