Selling a House with an Old Bathroom

Should I update my bathroom Before Selling my House?

If you want to sell your house, you'll likely be considering updating your bathroom. Whether that means major renovations or small changes, here are some things you should think about if trying to sell your home:   

1)  Consider your budget

Before making any changes to an outdated bathroom, you'll want to consider how much money you can afford to spend. Consider what aspects of the bathroom are your main selling points to determine which renovations will be worth spending more on. For example, if your house is located in a high-end area, consider renovating the bathtub and sink. If you're uncertain of the value and prospects of your home, ask an expert to give you an estimate on renovations for resale.

2) Determine what potential buyers will be looking for in a new home

Many people want updated bathrooms when they move into a new house. Think about what you like in a new bathroom and what you wouldn't want to change. Find out more about what people in your area are looking for by talking with friends or neighbors.

3) Think of how easy the updates will be

If possible, make updates that can easily be undone when you decide to sell your house if you aren't sure whether you'll stay there long term. Flooring is a good example of easy-to-remove updates that can be replaced when you move or before an open house.

4) Get at least one quote from a contractor or a real estate agent

Hiring a qualified company to update your bathroom will ensure everything is done properly and by local, state, and national building codes. Before hiring anyone, get multiple quotes from at least three companies.

5) Think about resale value

Updating your bathroom for the sake of updating it isn't always a good idea. If you are confident that your home will sell quickly or if you plan on staying there long-term, then adding an updated bathtub, sink, and flooring may be worth it. However, if you're uncertain of your plans for your house, you may want to consider sticking with neutral colors and fixtures.

6) Stay updated on maintenance

A clean bathroom is always important for resale value, but it's even more so when you are selling a home. Not only should you update the counters daily or weekly, depending on how often they are used, but keep up with the grout in the bathtub and tile.

7) Restore your shower head

A new showerhead can make a surprisingly big difference for potential buyers. If it has been a while since you've used your shower, take off the old one and clean it or replace it entirely. You can find models that are made especially for hard water areas, which will be a good selling point.

8) Upgrade to LED light bulbs and/or power-saving mode

Since bathrooms can often be dark if they aren't close to a window, consider using energy-efficient light bulbs to save on your monthly electric bills and for resale value. If you don't want to replace the lighting fixture entirely, seek out LED light bulbs at your local hardware store.

9) Remove any wallpaper if necessary

If you're worried about not being able to remove it completely, ask a contractor or real estate agents for help removing it without damaging the wall underneath. You'll also want to make sure that any paint is in good condition and carefully check for mold and mildew.

If your home has at least one bathtub, removing the wall-to-wall carpeting can help increase potential buyers' views of resale value. Instead, consider using a dark ceramic tile as a flooring option that is easier to maintain and that shows less dirt.



The shower stall is another important item to consider when deciding how much to update your bathroom. If possible, install a shower stall or make sure the one you currently have is in good condition and easy to clean. Keep the color neutral for your convenience and to increase resale value. A new walk-in shower stall will attract potential home buyers

How much value does a master bath add to Your Home?

Typically, bathrooms have the potential to add between 4-5% to your home's value. However, this is something to consider when you are looking at homes. The same bathroom in one house could be worth the difference of thousands while the same bathroom in another home may not make a noticeable difference.

When deciding how much to update your master bath, think about what you would want if you were selling the house and whether or not it would be worth it to potential buyers. Installing a new shower stall or resurfacing the tub can increase resale value, but will also cost more money. Updating the sink, toilet, or cabinets are also ways to make your master bath more attractive to potential buyers.

Master bathrooms can add a lot of value to your home if they are updated. However, depending on how long you plan on staying in the house will determine what exactly you should do when updating it.

The only bathroom in your house that doesn't need to be updated is the powder room. This bathroom should remain neutral and unfussy so that you can get a good resale value if needed.



Keep in mind also that a tub less house can be tough to sell if it doesn't have a shower. If you are interested in selling your home, consider including a shower instead of just updating the tub with new fixtures.

Is it worth renovating a house before selling

Renovating your home before selling can increase your resale value, but it is important to consider what you are looking for in your personal home. If the average resale value of bathrooms in homes in your area is around $5,000 more than what you paid for it, it might not be worth spending the money to update one specific room in your house.