How a Bathroom Remodel Can Improve Your Home’s Value
Last year, the real estate market was turned upside down by the pandemic. While many homeowners put their plans to sell on hold, a surprising number of homes still hit the market and buyers competed to schedule private tours and make offers. Winter is typically the slowest time of year for home sales, but according to Coldwell Banker Gundaker Real Estate Agent Darby Seymour, the past few months have been much busier than normal. “There’s a big inventory shortage right now,” she says.
That’s good news if you’re planning to sell. But as more homes hit the market, it’ll be important to make sure your house stands out to potential buyers. One thing that tends to grab attention: Updated bathrooms.
“I’d give it an eight to 10 out of 10,” says Tom Basler, President & Realtor™ at Krause Basler Network in St. Louis, Mo. According to Zillow, investing in a bathroom remodel yields the biggest returns in terms of boosting your home’s resale value. For minor cosmetic changes, you can earn a $1.71 increase for every $1 you spend.
Here are some ‘remodeling to sell’ tips that could help your home sell faster, and for top dollar.
Bathroom Update #1: Fix What’s Broken
First and foremost, address anything in your bathroom that’s broken or visibly deteriorating. Replace a cracked bathtub, apply a fresh coat of paint to chipped walls, fix a toilet that runs intermittently, and eliminate anything that could concern a potential homebuyer or cause them to question your home’s integrity. Once you’ve got the major fixtures working properly and looking their best, you can think about updating the design.
Bathroom Update #2: Neutral Tones
Paint is likely the fastest, least expensive thing you can do to improve the look of any space. Homebuyers look for clean, neutral décor. “Grey tones are definitely the ‘in’ color,” Basler says. However, you don’t want to reinvent the wheel. “If the other rooms in your home aren’t in need of painting, it’s best to choose a shade that coordinates. So, if your home is decorated in earthy tones, stick with something in that family for the bathroom.” Beyond the walls, consider painting an outdated vanity to give it a fresh facelift, and don’t forget the ceiling! A fresh coat of white paint can help to hide imperfections. “White towels,” says Seymour, “is an inexpensive way to give your bathroom a spa-like vibe.”
Bathroom Update #3: Quality Fixtures
Fixtures can look dated quickly, so if you want to give your bathroom a quick refresh, consider updating the faucets, showerhead, and vanity pulls. Choosing high-quality fixtures will level up the look of your entire bathroom. Go timeless over trendy to keep the look neutral and appeal to a wider demographic of potential buyers. And while mixing metals is still a popular trend, if you’re updating to sell, stick to matching the shower door frame, light fixtures, and other metals in the room. If there aren’t any, matte black and chrome are both trendy and timeless, and tend to coordinate well with most styles.
Bathroom Update #4: Maximize Storage
Storage space is an important consideration for home buyers. Now is a great time to clean out and organize cabinets, drawers, and linen closets. If lack of storage space remains an issue, consider upgrading to a larger vanity to improve both the storage capacity and functionality of your bathroom. If you’re limited by square footage, consider creative solutions such as shelving, baskets, hooks, and wall racks. Find more tips for clearing the clutter here.
Bathroom Update #5: Go Green
According to one sustainability survey, 80% of homebuyers say that the energy efficiency of a home has moderate to high impact on their purchase decision. Smart toilets, low-flow fixtures, and energy-saving materials like natural stonemake your bathroom considerably “greener” and provide a unique selling point that you can highlight to potential buyers. Savvy shoppers may also ask about insulation, so if your bathroom has a window, make sure it’s properly sealed to avoid drafts and heat loss.
Bathroom Update #6: Safety & Accessibility
Aging in place is an ever-growing trend. But, adding traditional features such as after-market bath seats and medical-grade grab bars can look unsightly. The good news is that safety and accessibility accessories have improved dramatically in the last few years. Low threshold and walk-in showers, appeal to not only seniors, but adults who are thinking about what they’ll require in the next decade in order to continue living comfortably in their homes.
Bathroom Update #7: Add a Little Luxury
While you shouldn’t spend a fortune, says Seymour, adding luxury touches can absolutely make your home more desirable to would-be buyers. Heated floors are one such luxury. They make a big impact for a smaller budget, because of the small square footage. Adds Seymour, “Spa-style bathrooms are very popular right now, so anything you can do to give your bathroom that vibe is helpful.”
Whether you need a complete remodel or a simple tub or shower update, Re‑Bath has you covered. Learn more about our hassle-free, four-step process and browse our design gallery for ideas that can make your home irresistible to potential buyers.
The safety of our customers and staff is still our number one priority. Each Re‑Bath location continues to take every precaution to bring customers a bathroom they’ll love. Learn how your local Re‑Bath in your area can safely serve you.