Removing a bath generally won't devalue your home, provided you keep at least one bathtub elsewhere in the house. However, eliminating the only tub will shrink your buyer pool—particularly among families with young children—which could impact how quickly your home sells.
Does not having a bath devalue a home? No! Removing a bathtub can reduce your buyer pool in certain areas, but many new homes are being built without bathtubs at all. Like other amenities, such as swimming pools and fireplaces, buyers will be drawn to the type of bathroom layouts they prefer, including walk-in showers.
Factors that decrease property value the most fall into three main categories: location issues, structural damage, and poor neighborhood conditions. These factors can collectively slash a property’s value by 5% to 30% or more.
It depends on your specific neighborhood really. If there are a good amount of families with children you should have at least one bathtub in the home, if it's an older community no bathtubs is fine.
The consensus: Removing a bath won't hurt your resale value unless it leaves you with no bathtub at all. But resale value isn't the only consideration in this decision. We interviewed real estate agents and veteran Improveit designers for their professional insight.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) makes it clear that a home absolutely must have at least one bathtub to preserve resale value and be considered move-in ready for most buyers. Tubs are still preferred in most markets and price ranges. However, this becomes more and more crucial as you go up in price range.
Since demand outweighs supply, housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during the fall to winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans. Sellers should expect lower sales prices and higher DOM during these months.
What Not to Fix When Selling a House: A Comprehensive Guide
Hotels are phasing out bathtubs in favor of walk-in showers due to shifting consumer preferences, easier maintenance, and the need for spatial efficiency. Modern travelers generally prefer quick showers, and walk-in showers make bathrooms feel larger while using less water.
If your home has a particularly large or luxurious bathtub, it may be worth more than a smaller shower. And if you live in an area where most homes have baths rather than showers, your home's value may not be affected as much by whether or not it has a shower.
The biggest red flag in a home inspection is compromised structural integrity, frequently caused by hidden water damage or foundation issues. While minor electrical or plumbing fixes are easy to manage, structural failures compromise the safety of the entire home and can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair.
To comfortably afford a $400,000 house, you generally need an annual household income between $100,000 and $135,000. The exact salary required depends on your specific financial situation, but this range ensures your monthly payments remain manageable.
Bathroom remodeling has always reflected lifestyle, comfort, and practicality. In the past, a master bathroom wasn't considered complete without a soaking tub. Today, however, more homeowners are choosing to remove their bathtub entirely and replace it with a luxurious walk-in shower.
Removing and disposing of an old bathtub costs around $150 to over $4,500, depending on the type of bathtub. Fiberglass tubs, which are lighter in weight, cost $50 to $100 to remove. Hauling away a heavy cast-iron bathtub could cost $300 or more. Disposing of the old tub can cost $100 to $4,200.
You do not need a bathtub in every bathroom, but real estate experts strongly recommend keeping at least one bathtub in your home. Removing the only tub can significantly shrink your buyer pool, as families with young children often view it as a deal-breaker.
Towels are the most commonly stolen item from hotels, with nearly 88% of hotel staff and owners reporting they frequently disappear from guest rooms.
People typically get rid of hot tubs due to a combination of steep ongoing maintenance costs, high energy bills, and lack of use. Once the initial novelty wears off, many owners find the burden of ownership outweighs the relaxation benefits.
Dull or outdated colors
While you might be tempted to revisit trends from past eras, among the colors to avoid in a bathroom are beige-yellow tones, dull brown, and olive green. These can even give the impression of uncleanliness in addition to appearing outdated.
The 30% rule in home renovation suggests that homeowners should limit their renovation costs to no more than 30% of their home's current market value. This guideline helps ensure that the investment made in renovations aligns with the overall value of the property, thereby protecting the homeowner's equity.
The 3-3-3 Rule: Confidence in Your Journey to Homeownership
By ensuring you have three months of living expenses saved, three months of mortgage payments in reserve, and have thoroughly compared at least three properties, you are not just buying a house—you are making a sound, well-informed investment in your future.
A house is worth fixing up if the total cost—purchase price plus renovation expenses—is significantly lower than the market value of similar, fully renovated homes in the area (the "after-repair value" or ARV). Prioritize homes with solid structures, good locations, and sound foundations, focusing on cosmetic updates rather than extensive structural or system failures.
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is overpricing their home. While it's tempting to aim high, pricing a property above market value can lead to: Longer time on the market. Reduced buyer interest.
Is there an optimum season for selling? Spring always comes out on top as the best time of year to sell your house. This is probably because people aren't away for the summer holidays or busy with Christmas celebrations.