All homebuyers have a vision of the perfect house and which
rooms are most important to highlight. Because of the relatively small size of
bathrooms in comparison to the rest of a home, they are often overlooked in the
staging process; however, for many buyers, it could be the most important room
in a buying decision.
A bathroom is more than just a place for grooming; it’s a
sanctuary. It’s a place one can relax in a hot bath and escape the stresses of
daily life for a few moments at a time.
Updating a tired-looking bathroom is one of the best things
you can do to increase a home’s resale value. You don’t have to do a complete
renovation. Some fixes are not too costly or labor intensive.
Easy fixes include adding new, luxurious-looking towels,
replacing the shower curtain and adding candles around a bathtub. Of course,
with a little more money and effort, your bathroom can become a talking point
of the house.
Here is a look at five great ways to upgrade a bathroom.
1. Beautify: By adding decorative glass, stone tile or
accents to the bathroom, it will stand out among the other houses in the
neighborhood that are for sale. Extra-wide wall tiles are popular these days
and wood cabinets can be beautifully embellished with intricately carved wooden
inlays.
2. Lighting: Add more lighting options around the room,
especially around the vanity to reduce shadows and glaring. This is something
that isn’t too expensive and can really highlight the positive features of a
bathroom. Mood lighting around the tub area is also increasing in popularity.
3. Bath/Shower: It’s not too often you hear someone
complaining about a bathtub being too large, and that’s because there’s nothing
better than coming home from a hard day’s work and relaxing in a big soothing
tub. By putting in a new tub and creating more of a spa-like atmosphere, you
will have buyers imagining themselves washing their cares away. Adding a
massage element to the showerhead or one that replicates rain showers is also
something that will appeal to buyers.
4. Update Fixtures: Not as costly as some of the other tips,
changing out the fixtures in a bathroom can add a great deal. From cabinet
handles to faucets, the addition of brushed nickel or other metals that are
polished and elegant are always a huge hit. And if space permits, add a second
sink.
5. Think Green: The bathroom is a prime place to start
putting those environmentally friendly devices to work. Installing fixtures
that save water, such as a low-flow showerhead, a low-flow faucet aerator, and
a dual-flush toilet, can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Adding
energy-efficient windows is another easy option, since the size of bathroom
windows are relatively small. Another fix that is both decorative and energy
efficient is the addition of natural stone flooring, which helps the bathroom
stay cool during the summer, and warmer during the winter.
When buyers walk into a renovated bathroom that exudes quality
and offers an intimate, contemporary feel, it’s one of the top features that
people will remember about a home.
* Jim DeFrank is a licensed broker/appraiser who
has been active in local real estate for 34 years. Beth Alois is a licensed realtor
and a member of the Jim DeFrank Sales Team at Prudential Fox & Roach Chadds
Ford. They can be reached at 610-388-3700. Prudential Fox & Roach is an
independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates Inc. Equal
Housing Opportunity.
About Beth Alois
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