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8 ideas to ensure your bathroom delights buyers

Fri 20 Aug 2021

Paul Bennett, Director

Bathrooms are one of the most underrated rooms in a property – used by the entire household, a place to escape, soak and destress, and real deal breakers when it comes to potential buyers making decisions. 

 

Thankfully we have come a long way from tin bathtubs and outside lavatories but that doesn’t mean every bathroom in London is up to scratch – and an under-par place to carry out daily ablutions could prevent sellers from achieving the best price and a quick sale.

 

Having sold thousands of properties in and around St. John’s Wood, Behr & Butchoff has seen the very best………and the very worst of bathrooms. We’ve watched reactions during viewings, listened to the feedback of would-be buyers and seen people fall in love with a shower. Now we are sharing our bathroom advice with you:-

 

  1. Add extra facilities: bathroom advice published by QS Supplies says that extending your current bathroom or creating an extra facility altogether can add as much as 5% to your home’s value. If you’re thinking of losing a bedroom to create a bathroom, talk to the Behr & Butchoff team first, as this could be detrimental to your property’s value.

 

  1. Carve out an en suite: if one of your bedrooms is blessed with generous proportions, investigate the possibility of sectioning off some space to create an en-suite shower room. Ensure you consult with a plumber and a builder in regards to pipework and the structural set up before you start.

 

  1. Squeeze in a cloakroom: we can’t think of many buyers who wouldn’t appreciate a ground floor cloakroom so it’s worth investigating what is possible. If you have space under your stairs or a utility room, it is sometimes it’s possible to reconfigure the layout to accommodate a WC.

 

  1. Be careful about baths: the blanket advice is not to remove a bath as it can devalue the property, especially in a family home. While generally true, it’s worth chatting to us about your buying audience as there are some sectors of the market who prefer showers.

 

  1. Create a spa-like experience: the most beautiful bathrooms are heavily influenced by 5* spas and hotels, where attention is paid to storage, lighting, mirrors and fine details like rain-head showers and waterfall taps. If the base of your bathroom is sound, consider replacing fittings, fixtures and accessories to upgrade the experience.

 

  1. Double up: there is something quite luxurious about having two sinks in the same bathroom but some property owners take the ‘doubling up’ approach to a new level by installing two showers. If you have the space, duplicating facilities can appeal to ultra-busy households.

 

  1. Do something radical: if your target market loves a sense of theatre, you could try something dramatic or unusual. Consider a freestanding copper bathtub in the principal bedroom, a deep Japanese soaking tub, a wet room with wall and ceiling-mounted jets, a steam shower cubicle or even an outdoor bathroom for al fresco bathing.

 

  1. Presentation counts: if you don’t have the time, space or budget to transform your bathroom on a grand scale, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure potential buyers are impressed when looking at photographs and on viewings:

 

  • Remove mould, mildew, limescale and stains

  • Repair flaking paint

  • Polish taps and mirrors

  • Fix dripping taps and shower heads

  • Replace discoloured grouting and sealant

  • Install a new shower curtain

  • Display freshly-laundered, neatly-folded towels

  • Add some humidity-loving houseplants, such as ferns and Chinese evergreens

  • Hide cleaning products and surplus toiletries

  • Neutralize odours and open a window for ventilation

 

If bathrooms are your buying priority – or you have a property to sell with a super shower or tremendous tub - get in touch with the Behr & Butchoff team today.