Bathroom remodel... bathtub or big shower? (Houston, Katy: real estate, houses, buyers)

[HookTheBrotherUp]

We are doing somewhat minor remodeling in our bathroom and were curious as to what sells in Houston (we will sell the home in less than a few years). Do people like big spa tubs, or large modern showers? There is a bathtub in the second bathroom, so I was thinking of putting in a nice large tile shower with glass, etc. There was (until last night) a 60X42 tub fixture, and it was nice, the kids used it as their personal jacuzzi, but the wife and I never used it as a bath, relaxing. The only time it was filled with water was to wash the kids at the same time.

Thanks for your input in advance.

[d2mini]

In an on-suite master bath? Both large shower and garden whirlpool tub.
Small secondary baths can usually get away with a shower only when its obvious there's no room for a tub, but I wouldn't forgo a nice tub in a master bath. It's an added luxury that I think most people find enticing, even if it's not used very often. Although the right buyer could be wowed by an impressive giant shower with dual sets of body jets, rain shower head, etc.

[HoustonRonnie]

We wash our mini-schnauzer in the tub.

Ronnie

[crone]

We have had one of those big jacuzzi tubs in the last 3 houses. The grandsons liked them when they were babies.

You are lucky Houston Ronnie. My dog won't even get in it. She likes the shower, too.

The RE folks can let you know if people are wanting them. We have 2 other tubs and and a jacuzzi Hot tub thingy on the pool. Don't use them either. I think we used that pool spa once when the house was new. The sil got in it at Christmas one year. Made a good picture, glass of Oban and a Cuban cigar with steam coming up.

[Oildog]

Good question. I have a big tub in the master that I have never used, plus a big shower. All guests who have come by have been more impressed with the shower. It has a bench, adjustable flows etc. Would be perfect for two if there was another shower head...

[HookTheBrotherUp]

This is a circa 1983 home, the master bath is larger than most homes of that age, but not what can be compared to modern suites. The layout is the typical 80s style, his/her walk-in closets on each side of the bath.

There is not enough room for a tub, and shower, but the bath was a large/jacuzzi type, so there is a lot of room for a big tub, or a big shower.

Funny, many of the responses are typical... they look great when you buy the house, but the reality is they are not used as much as one would think. I guess the novelty wears off, sort of like getting a pool.

But yes, I'd be interested in what the real estate people think. Do most buyers balk at a master bath without a tub even if there is a modern tile/glass shower only?

[d2mini]

Well if there is room for only one, then a nice big shower for sure.

Like i said above, baths tend to be a luxury, for when you actually have the time to draw a bath and relax for a while. Showers are the daily quick way to get clean in America. So in this case, I would do a REALLY nice shower. Go all out.

[DRE06]

We have a large, two person shower with a bench in our 1968 home. No bath.

[lhafer]

We have a large master bathroom. We have a shower with a bench seat, and it has 5 shower heads (full body). I wish the shower was larger. We have a 6' jetted bathtub that our girls use 99.9% of the time for their baths. We used to use the tub until we got a hot tub for our back yard. Now we never use the tub except for bathing the kids.

I would have a nicer shower and simple soaker tub if you can fit it.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

If we wanted to, we could squeeze in a shower, but I'm of the old school that if you do something, do it right. So to do a shower right, there would be no room for a tub, or the other way around. I've been seeing lots of nice walk in showers with full glass walls, or half walls, but the wife is still mulling over a tub, but she's not convinced either way yet. 'Still waiting to hear from more agents as to what sells in Houston, or Katy for that matter. These are not cheap to install, so I want to make sure I get the most resale value. I guess it is like wallpaper, or wall treatments... the person doing it always thinks it is the greatest, but the next person may not... sort of like people painting full wall murals of Italy in their kitchens, or dining rooms. Usually the next buyer won't like it. At least you can paint a wall, but redoing a bathroom is expensive next to kitchens.