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One Bathroom In The House, Can I Remove The Tub and Only Have A Shower?

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

One Bathroom In The House, Can I Remove The Tub and Only Have A Shower?

 

That’s what I was asked by someone a few years ago.

 

The short answer, is “Of course, it’s your home.  You can do whatever you like”.

 

But

 

What if(and he had indicated he might) I ever want to sell?

 

Well, there will be buyers who will be looking for a tub as well as a shower.  His particular home had a shower over the tub.   It depends on the size of the home. The other amenities. Lots of things come into play with a decision such as this.

 

Will removing the tub make my home unsellable?  

 

It’s all in the execution of the remodel.  We have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in real estate and in the world of remodeling.    My suggestion in this particular case...Go for what you like..and how you live…

 

Are you planning on selling today?  In the next six months?  Next Year?  Maybe, someday? Or and I love this one -- I'm not leaving until they carry me out in a pine box. The answer may depend on your future plans and the timing of those plans.

 

He did remove the tub….and created a very nice bathroom that fit his needs.

 

No Tub Just A Shower 

 

And he did eventually decide to sell.   And fortunately, he chose me to represent him.

 

And not only did prospective buyers and open house visitors like the bathroom they loved it.

 

In fact, there were multiple offers and a final selling price substantially over the list price.

 

So the quick answer to most questions in real estate and in life is “it depends”.  Let’s discuss what’s behind your questions.   I’m sure we can find the right answer.  Move or not move.  Sell or not sell.   This location or that one. When you want to discuss real estate, let’s talk about what’s most important to you.  I can be reached at 818.516.4393 talk | text.


One Bathroom In The House, Can I Remove The Tub and Only Have A Shower?

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Funny, I saw an article regarding this very topic just yesterday, Michael Jacobs .  The trend for having a bathroom that hosts only a walk-in shower alone (no tub) is growing.  But only if there is a tub elsewhere in the home.  Your advice is definitely wise!

Gene

Feb 27, 2015 02:31 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Sharon Tara -- gotta love the pine box answer.   I have heard the next question from the real estate agent when hearing of this response is "and when would that be?"  Depending on the relationship and/or sense of humor, it can be a real icebreaker.   

Gene Mundt, Chicago-area Mortgage Lender - www.genemundt.com -- whenever there is more than one bath, the decision is definitely easier.    

Feb 27, 2015 02:36 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     Nobody takes a bath anymore... but most buyers expect to see a bathtub in a house that is for sale. 

     Your guy was an exception to that rule!

Feb 27, 2015 10:40 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Fred Griffin -- except for young children and the occasional person that likes a good soak --- I also find that bathtubs are almost passe but people seem to think that not having a tub in their house is a bit too risky.   

Feb 27, 2015 10:47 AM
Alan Grizzle
Chestatee Real Estate - Dahlonega, GA
Full Time Realtor, Lifelong Resident of Dahlonega

A nice shower is usually fine and even preferable over a  tub to most clients that will consider a one bathroom. I have found that most family's with small children that need to be given a bath in a tub want 2 or more bathrooms.

Feb 27, 2015 11:43 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Alan Grizzle -- you make a very good point that most buyers with children are going to want a home with more than one bath.   Thanks for your comment.

Feb 27, 2015 11:45 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

"It depends" often is the correct answer. Glad that things worked out for you, the sellers and the new buyers.

Feb 28, 2015 01:12 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Joan Whitebook - it depends can sum up a lot of way we answer questions because it truly does depend on the individual situation, the people involved and timing.

Mar 01, 2015 04:38 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

What a gorgeous job on the remodel! No wonder it had multiple offers.

Mar 01, 2015 09:48 AM
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

An AWESOME shower bath offers greater benefit than a mediocre cramped bath.

The market loose will most likely be those first timers who may need a bath in which to bathe the infant. The market gain is the ability to incorporate universal design and adding the senior market. 

The real ROI is the enjoyment by the home owner.

Mar 01, 2015 10:52 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Cheryl Ritchie - thanks for your comment - it did receive a lot of positive comments from potential buyers and visitors.

Annette Lawrence - there are always risks when a change such as this is made but the real enjoyment as you comment is the real Return on Investment.

Mar 01, 2015 10:57 PM
Suzanne Cutler
SUCCESS! Real Estate - Braintree, MA

I think if the house is in a neighborhood with lots of families then they might want to consider keeping the tub for resale.  However, if the house is in a retirement community replacing the tub so the person can step into the shower might be ideal.   Of course it depends on how long the owners plan on staying because they will want to enjoy the new bathroom.

Mar 02, 2015 12:07 PM
Ron Buck
The Ron Buck Group - Laguna Niguel, CA
Associate RE Broker at Keller Williams Realty

Suzanne's answer is insightfull. I have had this question several times in my career and I usually say it depends. Usually there is more than one bathroom.

Mar 03, 2015 11:28 PM
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

As you said, it's all in the execution of the remodel... and he certainly did a fabulous job!  I think only if it's a buyer with a young child living in a property with only one bathroom would there be any hesitation.

Mar 10, 2015 11:32 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

So smart of you to "recycle" this post. Personally I prefer a tub, but only for a good weekly soak. The rest of the time, it's a shower for me!

Dec 19, 2015 07:36 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I am actually considering a remodel of my master suite to remove the tub and add some storage instead.  We never use the tub.

Dec 19, 2015 07:48 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Thanks everyone for stopping by and your comments.   I appreciate hearing from you.  

Dec 19, 2015 09:18 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Michael

I found this via Praful's reblog - missed the first round.

It's an interesting question and definitely the answer IS "it depends." Can't say I have had this issue come up in a home with only 1 bath, but it's certainly been an issue for some buyers where the master bath only had a shower in a few cases. And for some, say with mobility issues, a walk-in shower could be much better than a tub to step over.

I love how many "it depends" issues there are in this industry.

Jeff

Jun 28, 2016 08:25 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Praful's blog got me here too.  I certainly think you're right it's a "it depends" kind of answer of if/when they plan to sell their home. 

Jun 28, 2016 01:17 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, we do get these calls and to remove a bath tub you will eliminate some buyers, but not all.

Apr 02, 2022 06:40 AM