If you’re planning to sell your house, a pretty bathroom should make a good selling point. However, is it worth remodeling a bathroom before selling your property? Unless you’re selling a newly built home, it may be worth considering renovating your bathroom. Whether or not the renovation work is worth it, though, depends on several factors.
Should you renovate bathrooms before selling?
Yes, homeowners are generally advised to remodel their bathroom before they put their property up for sale. A remodeled bathroom is usually a good selling point that can draw in potential buyers.
This is especially true for single-bathroom homes. These properties can hardly compete with multi-bathroom houses, so having a renovated bath is a big plus.
Besides attracting people looking to buy a new home, a bathroom makeover has several other benefits:
Increased resale value
A well-planned bathroom remodel could possibly increase your property’s value in the real estate market. A renovated bathroom practically gives buyers what they want:
- Beauty. A well-planned remodel greatly enhances a bathroom’s aesthetics, charming prospective buyers. Furthermore, it modernizes the bathroom’s design, keeping the aesthetics up-to-date—after all, an outdated bathroom style can be a major turn-off.
- Comfort. Bathroom renovations typically address most user experience issues. A more intuitive layout, accessibility features, and additions like anti-slip tiles and heating can greatly improve user comfort.
- Modern features. Most remodels require replacing outdated or damaged fixtures with modern ones. These often come with energy- and water-saving features that many buyers would not say no to.
On the flipside, a poorly-done bathroom remodel can have the reverse effect. Prospective buyers can see through cheap, inadequate renovations. This can greatly decrease your property’s resell value and keep you from recuperating your investment.
As such, homeowners should carefully plan their remodel. It also pays to hire reputable contractors and source high-quality materials from well-known manufacturers.
Greater return-on-investment (ROI)
Remodeled bathrooms yield the biggest ROI among all home improvements, according to Zillow. The returns depend on the type of remodel. Below are the three types of standard bathroom remodels and their corresponding ROI:
- Midrange. This is a complete overhaul that usually involves wall tiling, floor rework, and upgrades, refinishes, or replacement of existing fixtures. It is an inexpensive, mostly functional remodel, and it could get you a 70.1% ROI.
- Universal. Universal remodels involve the addition of accessibility features, like shower guard rails and wheelchair ramps. It is typically cheaper than midrange remodels, but is more specialized. It can make your home more attractive to families with seniors or members with physiological issues. It will get you an ROI of 70.6%.
- Upscale. This type of remodel goes beyond the basics. It involves major structural changes and as well as the installation of high-end features and fixtures. The addition of luxury cosmetics is usually a given. This has the lowest ROI of 56.2%, but when done right, it could help you attract affluent buyers.
Note that none of these remodels are purely surface-level, cosmetic renovations. They usually involve significant changes and repairs. These remodels require substantial investment that you may recover with the sale of your home.
Addressing existing bathroom issues
A remodel that actually adds value to your home go beyond replacing old fixtures. It often involves extensive rework that could expose previously unknown flaws in your bathroom.
Additionally, a bathroom remodel gives you the opportunity to address known issues that you were previously not committed to solving. Once you’ve moved the fixtures oor exposed the plumbing, for example, it should be more feasible for you to implement the necessary repairs and maintenance work.
Factors That Influence Your Bathroom’s Remodel Value
It certainly is worth remodeling your bathroom for the fact that it adds value to your property. The question is, by how much? This depends on a number of factors:
Cost of the remodel
A typical midrange remodel costs $25,000 on average. This can go lower with streamlined planning, or much higher if you go for high-end rework. The total expenses dictate the amount you will recuperate from the property sale.
Property location
Real estate market conditions vary from one area to another. Proximity to amenities, the local economy, and quality of the environment, among others, dictate the average property price in a specific locale. Location-based price variation, plus your initial investment, directly affects your bath remodel ROI.
Extent of the renovation
The coverage of your bathroom remodel affects how much you will spend in terms of material, labor, and fixture replacement. Midrange remodels often give you the best value for your investment, while upscale rework gets you wealthier customers but significantly lower ROI. On the other hand, cosmetic makeovers won’t cost you much and could attract homebuyers, but will not add any value to your property.
How Important Is a Bathroom In Selling a House?
The importance of a bathroom in terms of property value should not be understated. We’ve already established that a remodeled bathroom adds significant value to any property listing. This goes to show that buyers don’t take the bathroom for granted. While most prefer a house with multiple bathrooms, a beautiful, updated bath should also be able to draw in prospective homebuyers.
Buyers tend to look for homes with clean, modern bathrooms that maximize privacy. They also consider, specific needs. For example, large bathtubs attract families with small children, who are keen on having fun bath times. On the other hand, families with seniors and physiologically challenged members may opt for homes with bathrooms that come with accessibility features.
To Sum Up
While a full bathroom remodel will cost you a lot of time, money, and effort, it is a must if you are looking to sell your home. The renovation work does not only make your bathroom more comfortable for the next homeowner. It also greatly increases the value of your property, allowing you to recover or even make a profit from the money you’ve invested in the project. However, you should note that your returns are highly dependent on the cost and extent of the remodel, as well as your property’s location.
