topic Re: Tub or shower? in Home

Tub or shower?

Imadickens — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:23:25 GMT

I have a 1960's ranch that, although it's not what I thought I'd like, I love! The very first night I felt I was finally home. I have moved a great deal in my live and always loved the challenge. Now, we are just a few years away from burning our mortgage. We bought when the market was inflated and had to put in $20,000 before we moved in! Then, we did other structural work, and now have probably $500,000 in a house now worth $220,000. I knew much of it was just for us, not expecting it to be an investment, but...

Both of us are having knee problems and I have a major foot disability, among other health issues. We are empty nesters now. The house has three medium sized bedrooms, and one full bath, in main hall, and a half bath off master bedroom. I have tried to find room for a shower in the MB bath, but it doesn't seem feasible without completely remodeling the whole half of the house! So, we are remodeling the main bath. We want to take out the tub and add a walk-in shower (nicely done) . My big concern is resale value. Would you purchase a three bedroom home without a tub? The home is in an upscaled area, mostly baby boomers right now. It's due to turn over in the next ten to twenty years. I worry a young family wouldn't want to buy a house without a tub. I don't plan on selling, but things happen...

Re: Tub or shower?

mac116 — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:29:40 GMT

I would not purchase a house without a tub. I just like to relax in a hot bath every once in awhile. Young families would probably want one in their house. My grandkids did not start taking showers until they were school age.

Re: Tub or shower?

Mz iMac — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:34:42 GMT

Re: Tub or shower?

Pecky — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:45:58 GMT

I definately would not purchase a house without a tub. I love taking my relaxing baths. Showers are sometime to harsh for me.

Re: Tub or shower?

151949 — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:46:43 GMT

This is a typical family home and to be honest - people with small children need a tub to bathe them so if you are thinking to sell anytime soon yo need a tub.

Re: Tub or shower?

Gram W — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:48:42 GMT

I'm not much help. I am 71 and I have a tub with shower in it. My family loved showers. No time to waste in a tub. They said they did not want to sit in their own dirty water and would just have to take a shower anyway. By the age of six they showered. My thought is young children need a tub for moms sake. Checked with granddaughter and they use tub only for their 2 under 2. Is there a way you can take just enough from another room or redo a closet to make room for your shower in the master?

Re: Tub or shower?

eddyandme — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:50:53 GMT

I definitely think tubs are a waste and would prefer a shower.

However, if you sell to baby boomers and those with "older" children, shower-only is fine. Selling to "young" family would be a problem 'cause little ones take baths. But, a decent realtor would point out removing a shower and replacing it with a same size tub is really no big deal; thus shouldn't affect resale that much, imo.

I think at this time of your lives you should go for what pleases you and not worry about what might happen in the future.

Re: Tub or shower?

ALRATIBA — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:51:52 GMT

No, I'd never purchase a home without a tub. I never use a shower - I MUST have a tub.

Re: Tub or shower?

bonnielu — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:58:12 GMT

Funny you should mention this. We are in our first and only home. Been there 45 years. What can I say, nice country setting, great neighbors, and easy path to city enviromnents if we chose. So rather than move out, we remodeled over the past ten years. We took out one bedroom, we had five and made a large master bath out of it. While we have a huge master bedroom we had a tiny master bath. So we looked at our choices carefully and put in a large walk in closet, a separate toilet area, a large modern shower AND A WHIRLPOOL JETTED TUB. And I hate tubs, rather have a shower. BUT ON A RESALE THE FAMILY BUYING THIS HOUSE WILL WANT A TUB. The family joke is that I have never used THIS TUB. I am not interested in climbing in and out; I am not interested in soaking. I love my oversized shower. BUT REPEATING THE NEXT PERSON BUYING YOUR HOUSE, MY HOUSE WILL WANT A TUB AND IT MIGHT BE THE ONE THING THAT TURNS THEM AWAY IF IT IS NOT THERE.

Re: Tub or shower?

chi5925 — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:01:17 GMT

I agree with the posters here -- if you're selling the home, you will need to have a tub since families with kids will require that.

Having said that, when I bought my condo, I removed the tub in the second bathroom and made it a walk in shower -- installed marble floors and walls.

I was thinking that as one gets older the last thing they want to worry about is climbing in/out of a tub.

Plus the complex I live in is in a suburb that is mostly single family homes so people with young kids would probably not want to live here.

Re: Tub or shower?

Imadickens — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:11:18 GMT

@Gram W wrote:
I'm not much help. I am 71 and I have a tub with shower in it. My family loved showers. No time to waste in a tub. They said they did not want to sit in their own dirty water and would just have to take a shower anyway. By the age of six they showered. My thought is young children need a tub for moms sake. Checked with granddaughter and they use tub only for their 2 under 2. Is there a way you can take just enough from another room or redo a closet to make room for your shower in the master?

Oh, how I wish I could! Honestly, there was so much wasted space when they built this house it's sad! If we didn't need a new kitchen and hope that my dh can retire some day (lol) I'd tear out the whole middle section and redo it!

Re: Tub or shower?

Imadickens — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:16:08 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
No, I'd never purchase a home without a tub. I never use a shower - I MUST have a tub.

I used to be like you, too! Then, I fell, getting badly hurt getting into our tub. That's when my doc said it's very unhealthy to sit in a tub, anyway! I have only showered since! My dream is to have a steam shower! We live near a wonderful day spa that has steam showered. My dh has offered me a spa trip once a month if I pass on adding a steam shower, here! Hmm, a massage or facial and a steam shower? I can't pass that up!

Re: Tub or shower?

BornToShop — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:19:31 GMT

Been on my feet for 48 years working; my knees are shot. DH & I just recently moved and I cannot tell you how much I love our new shower.

Re: Tub or shower?

Imadickens — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:23:45 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:
Funny you should mention this. We are in our first and only home. Been there 45 years. What can I say, nice country setting, great neighbors, and easy path to city enviromnents if we chose. So rather than move out, we remodeled over the past ten years. We took out one bedroom, we had five and made a large master bath out of it. While we have a huge master bedroom we had a tiny master bath. So we looked at our choices carefully and put in a large walk in closet, a separate toilet area, a large modern shower AND A WHIRLPOOL JETTED TUB. And I hate tubs, rather have a shower. BUT ON A RESALE THE FAMILY BUYING THIS HOUSE WILL WANT A TUB. The family joke is that I have never used THIS TUB. I am not interested in climbing in and out; I am not interested in soaking. I love my oversized shower. BUT REPEATING THE NEXT PERSON BUYING YOUR HOUSE, MY HOUSE WILL WANT A TUB AND IT MIGHT BE THE ONE THING THAT TURNS THEM AWAY IF IT IS NOT THERE.

The last house I remodeled had a whirlpool tub in one room and a walk-in shower in the master bath. We only ever used the tub once! We read the manual and found out, too late, that it has to be cleaned out regularly, with bleach, and (we found out too late!🙄) you can't put bubble bath in it! My kids did bathe in it as a tub, but it used so much water my dh had angina every time they used it!😉 I loved my two-seated shower! Great for shaving my legs!

Re: Tub or shower?

Imadickens — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:26:13 GMT

@chi5925 wrote:
I agree with the posters here -- if you're selling the home, you will need to have a tub since families with kids will require that.

Having said that, when I bought my condo, I removed the tub in the second bathroom and made it a walk in shower -- installed marble floors and walls.

I was thinking that as one gets older the last thing they want to worry about is climbing in/out of a tub.

Plus the complex I live in is in a suburb that is mostly single family homes so people with young kids would probably not want to live here.

Very beautiful! That's what we were thinking!

Re: Tub or shower?

Imadickens — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:27:15 GMT

@BornToShop wrote:
Been on my feet for 48 years working; my knees are shot. DH & I just recently moved and I cannot tell you how much I love our new shower.

Now that's heaven!

Re: Tub or shower?

Imadickens — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 23:31:12 GMT

Thanks for the replies! I guess I pretty much thought that would be the way it would be. My only thought was that since a tub has been in the space we know one fits easily. So, if that's a deal breaker, we can offer to replace it! Right now, I doubt I can step over a tub side much longer! That's how I fell years ago, so I guess I'll have to just go with it. Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer!😘

Re: Tub or shower?

sweetee2 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 00:08:58 GMT

I wouldn't worry about it. Most likely you two will be gone. Let your kids worry about it.

Re: Tub or shower?

SXMGirl — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 00:33:31 GMT

First, your home sounds wonderful. When I redid our master bath, I would have removed our garden tub in a heartbeat except for resale. We have a large home and I am not certain that we will remain in this home more than a few more years. I much prefer a large shower with seating and that is what my next home, if there is one, will have. We do have another bathroom with a regular tub, but that is also only used for showers.

Young couples today, especially those with young children, and those who are HH fans expect a tub. However, since you are planning on remaining in your home, put in what you love and don't worry about anyone else. There are many who would really enjoy a large walk-in shower.

Re: Tub or shower?

KentuckyWoman — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 00:43:28 GMT

We are both shower people. That said, four years ago we gutted and remodeled our bathroom...floor to ceiling. We took out the tub and just installed a large shower. Biggest mistake we made during the process. There are times I would just love to sink down in a tub of warm bubbles. DH and I are actually considering redoing the tub /shower. Our bathroom is small so we would have to combine but he thinks it is necessary. Take it from me....include the tub in your plans. You won't be sorry.