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If you’ve ever watched a show on HGTV, you know that two key areas of a home can make or break a home sale. I’m talking about kitchens and bathrooms. Today, I want to talk to you about the latter — and what you can do to spruce it up, whether you’re preparing your home for sale or simply want to improve your space.
Bathroom renovations typically have a high return on investment. HGTV estimates the ROI on bathroom renovation spending is 80-130%. According to the estimates provided by the National Association of Realtors®, a bathroom remodel can recoup 60% of the amount you’ve put into it.
So what are some things you can do to capitalize on this high-traffic space in your home?
While sinking $10,000 into average bathroom remodeling and $26,000 for more upscale renovations (the national averages according to Remodeling magazine) may seem like an extravagant expense, your bathroom greatly affects your home’s value.
An immaculate modern bathroom communicates consciously and subconsciously to the comfort, style, and value the rest of the home portrays. Nothing is more alienating to a prospective buyer than an outdated, dysfunctional bathroom, especially considering the high costs and headaches associated with water damage and mold growth.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends having a six-month plan to ensure things go smoothly, as major bathroom renovations last between 2 and 3 months on average. Be forewarned: as with most renovation projects, bathroom costs and expectations can quickly get out of hand, especially when homeowners are eager to sell their homes. That said, let’s look at various aspects of the bathroom and see what types of renovations can add more value to your home.
Choosing the right bathtub for your master bathroom is worth some careful consideration. Some home buyers feel that a bathtub takes up too much space, while others make it a focal point of their relaxation. Some buyers prefer or need accessibility (i.e. mobility-impaired individuals), and for them, a bathtub may be a deal-breaker. For those that prefer elegance, a clawfoot tub may be appealing. Having a bathtub in one bathroom and a shower in a second is a solution to suit all needs. Ensure that any bathtub you select matches the overall theme of the room (for example, you would not install a Victorian claw-foot tub in a modern bath).
One way to add value to your bathroom is to focus on the countertops and the sink. A popular trend is to invest in a stone countertop.
Typically, bathroom countertops tend to be smaller than kitchen countertops, so you can spend a significantly smaller amount of money and still get a desirable spa-like quality. One strategy for saving money and adding value is to purchase a slab that contains some imperfections. If you make sure that the imperfections are masked by the sink that will be placed in or on the stone surface, you get the best of both worlds without having to pay the higher price of a flawless slab. It also helps to think creatively.
One common trend for DIYers is to take an old dresser and mount a sink on the top like a pedestal or recess the sink on the top counter, creating an elegant solution. This is also useful if you’re struggling to find adequate cabinet space to fit the look of your bathroom.
Don’t forget to update the faucet, as well. Attractive metals like stainless steel or polished nickel can bring some extra “oomph” to your bathroom. However, be sure that the hardware matches the faucets, or your bathroom might have a hodge-podge feel that will ward off more finicky buyers. Finally, you can make your bathroom even more attractive to new couples by offering multiple sinks for his and hers.
Bathrooms offer a challenge for homeowners in terms of storage. After installing a sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower, you still need to have somewhere to store hygiene items and towels. In addition, these storage solutions must be aesthetically pleasing, so it can be a balancing act to make sufficient space without making the room appear unattractive or overly utilitarian.
However, there are solutions to make the most of the available space:
As for the cabinets, be sure that the materials are up to date and not reflective of short-lived trends, as these can work against a seller when they fall out of favor. Make sure the colors of cabinets are neutral and are made of moisture-resistant wood appropriate for the bathroom.
An attractive and functional shower is a great way to attract homebuyers who may imagine luxurious and refreshing daily rituals when they purchase the home. Frameless glass shower enclosures enhance the spa-like feel of the atmosphere, match just about any color scheme, and are more appealing than flimsy plastic enclosures.
Don’t forget to consider who will be purchasing your home when renovating your shower. There are various options on the market, but it helps to update the showerheads in accordance with the type of home buyers you’d like to appeal to. For potential owners under 45, multiple showerheads are a go-to choice. For older home buyers, hand showers that can assist seated individuals may be best. Seating also plays a factor for the elderly and infirm, who prefer some resistance when showering and should have somewhere to sit for safety and health reasons.
Bathroom tile can be one of the more expensive features to renovate, so it pays to be deliberate in your choices. One smart way to save money is to limit tile strategically, focusing only on a specific area of the floor instead of the entire floor (e.g. inside the shower stall). Another clever trick is to use the expensive tile as an accent, mixing it in with less-expensive tile to save money, but also highlight the costlier tile with contrast. Because of the cost, you may want to align your renovations in accordance with the tile’s color and attributes. While installing a heated bathroom floor is a nice touch, it will not return a reasonable ROI, and tearing up your floor can be needlessly expensive and time-consuming.
There’s more to remodeling your bathroom than meets the eye. While it may be nice to have a window to open after a steamy shower, this is an old solution. The focus on modernity is automation and efficiency. If your bathroom does not have a modern ventilation system, consider installing one as a top priority.
Moisture from excess humidity fogs mirrors makes the floor especially slippery and creates a breeding ground for mildew and mold. Having moisture under control is vital to ensure that not only are the physical hazards minimized (e.g. slipping on a wet tile), but also the quality of the air and the damage that can result from mold and rot. Make sure that the ventilation system exhausts air to the outside of the home, not the space between the joists of the ceiling, attic, or other interior space.
Consider ventilation systems on the market that contain features such as quiet exhaust fans and humidity-sensitive switches that automatically activate when moisture build-up in the air reaches a certain threshold.
One way to spruce up your bathroom at a fraction of the cost of more labor-intensive renovations is to look at how your bathroom is lit. Lighting around your vanity mirrors can bring a luxurious feel to everyday grooming.
Adjustable lighting for soaking in the tub can create a relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom, as well. Some light fixtures offer heat lamps that can create a mini-sauna for the bathroom that works in conjunction with your ventilation systems.
As a rule, eliminating dark spaces and inadequate lighting adds value for potential home buyers.
Like lighting, one of the more inexpensive and effective ways to spruce up your bathroom is to invest in a few cans of fresh paint. Pay careful attention to how you paint if you choose to go DIY, however; attention to detail is critical, and a few blobs of paint on the tub, sink, and so forth can undermine the improvements you’ve made. Also be sure to find high-quality, mold-resistant paint that can ward off mold growth, and don’t forget to paint the ceiling, where hard-to-clean surfaces can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew.
The little details do matter, especially under the scrutiny of those who view your home with an eye to buying it. This includes the light fixtures, doorknobs, towel racks, cabinet handles, and so forth, all of which can rust and degrade from constant use and moist atmosphere.
Like a fresh coat of paint, paying attention to the fine details can bring a new look to your bathroom at a minimal cost. Cleaning grout may be tedious, but restoring its original hue can make the surrounding elements “pop.” The same goes for caulk — a tube of caulk is inexpensive. A fresh application of caulk, especially clear or matching-white colors, not only brings out the other elements but also prevents moisture from eroding the structure of the bathroom.
No, we’re not talking about painting everything in your bathroom green, not unless you really want to. We’re talking about the trend of making your bathroom more environmentally sound. More and more home buyers are looking to find homes that feature ethically-sourced materials and conserve resources (e.g. water, power).
These include:
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In looking to sell a home quickly and as painlessly as possible, the home seller must go through a process of removing the owner’s (or tenants’) presence from the house. This process is known in the real estate industry as “neutralization.”
A more appropriate moniker for neutralization is “depersonalizing.” Essentially, your goal is to remove the identity of the home so that potential homebuyers can picture their future in the home without the “thumbprints” from previous occupants. How does one go about neutralizing the home? Easier said than done. There are even limits to neutralizing a home. If you go too far, your home may appear cold and foreign to potential home buyers and they may have difficulty envisioning just what each room’s purpose is (or could be). Let’s look at the topics and nuances that can influence buyers to say “yes” to your house and close as soon as possible.
A home that you’re trying to sell, you must remove most of the traces that allude to the personality that you have “carved” into your home.
This includes family photographs, awards, and certificates. Photographs and framed documents of marriages, children, and other friends and family tend to give the impression of a “claimed” territory.
The buyer will see your life in the home, not theirs. It’s much harder for a person to picture themselves in a space having their own unique experiences for years to come when they are confronted with the same patio they envision you using with your family.
Nothing speaks more to personality (and eccentricity) than collections. They tend to overwhelm the senses and create clutter, diminishing the size of the room — both of which you definitely don’t want to put on display.
Your goal is to help depersonalize your home so that house hunters can psychologically move into it. Leave a few non-personal pictures on the wall so space doesn’t look so empty, but even generic paintings and photographs can serve the same function as that family reunion picture in Cancun.
Books can be a way of subconsciously conveying to potential home buyers the specific type of person that would thrive in the home. However, when selling your home, you should choose these books carefully.
The rule of thumb is to choose “coffee table books.” Books that are generic yet appeal to the masses come to mind — think architecture, travel, history, and cuisine.
Do not have controversial or deeply personal (such as religious or ideological literature) on display. Some topics can be divisive. And related to the previous topic, keep your photo albums packed away.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. While you may have made it a focus of your home to showcase your personality through your possessions, including artwork and items you collect, your goal is to appeal to the widest array of people possible to purchase your home.
Just as you hide your books in case of offending a potential buyer, you should take down all artwork that could be considered remotely offensive. This includes artwork with political messages, nudity, sports teams, religious imagery, and so forth.
Other accents, like family heirlooms, should be taken down, as well. While you might very well be proud of that mounted moose head from your grandfather, potential homebuyers could be put off by hunting wild game.
While it’s certainly fine to be proud of your religious beliefs, affiliations, and convictions, not all home buyers will appreciate religious items on display. Some buyers might not be religious at all, while others may carry completely different convictions from yours, and might find such displays offensive. Buyers who see these types of displays may also make inferences about the types of neighbors you have.
Neutralizing your home is part of home staging. Part of staging is setting up your home to reflect each room’s purpose or potential. It might be obvious to you who has lived in the home for years, but a prospective buyer might not be able to envision the purpose of each room without some leading.
It’s in your best interest to stage rooms to give potential buyers an idea of the room’s main purpose. If you’ve completely cleared out a room that once was your study, leave a simple display of a desk, table, and a lamp. This will communicate the “feature” of the room. Bare rooms simply are not inviting, as they seem unfinished. Also, the natural feel of empty rooms can create an “echo chamber” effect that might be unappealing to people, barring the musically oriented home buyer.
Color plays a crucial role in the neutralization process. The point is that the colors you choose for the interior of your home should appeal to as many potential home buyers as possible. Here are a few points to consider when coloring your home for sale:
Remove wallpaper It can be a rigorous process to remove wall coverings, and this could turn off home buyers if it’s not neutral. Further, wallpaper is often considered outdated.
Avoid bright colors. Brighter colors are “an acquired taste” and will remind home buyers of the work they might have to do to change the walls’ colors to match their preferences before finally settling into the home.
Avoid dark colors. Darker colors create an optical illusion that makes space appear smaller. Lighter, neutral colors for staging your home are best, as they make rooms appear larger. Adding accents of color, like photographs or paintings, against a neutral background can make a room seem modern and appealing (think art galleries). They also are easier to change in the future, a situation that home buyers will appreciate when it’s time to move in.
Use complementary colors with carpeting and accessories (e.g., blue and orange, purple and yellow, red and green), following the rule that 80% of the predominant color should be neutral, with 20% as the appeal-ing complementary color.
Avoid using too many colors when neutralizing the home. Instead, focus on three to five colors to avoid jarring color combinations or a feeling of “separateness.” Bear in mind that lighting changes the color you’ve selected. You can use the same hue for incandescent lights and natural lighting, only to get different results. This can help save money and emphasize your home’s lighting variations. Ensure your colors flow from one to another. Earth tones and neutrals work best, as we’re accustomed to these colors from nature. For example, having a hot pink go to a beige is off-putting.
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