How Important Is Bathroom Design To The Homebuyer?

The average homebuyer will focus much of their attention on two areas when purchasing a home;  kitchens and bathrooms.  The design of your kitchen and your bathrooms matter because they need to be functional for your needs.  If you don't get these areas right, you will be spending large sums of money to make them functional.

Today we will spend our time discussing that all important bathroom design.  Of course, a first impression may have you looking at color schemes but there may be more important areas to consider when looking at the bathroom.

Check The Plumbing 

Looking for leaks is not something that you need a plumber for.  Check by the toilet to see if the floor is discolored or spongy. Press down with your foot.  If there is a lot of give, the fixture may be leaking or has been leaking in the past.  If there is tile on the floor, check the grouting.  In most cases, calcium deposits can build up or discolor the grout where a leak has or is occurring. Vinyl floors will generally bubble if there has been a leak. 

If the home is two stories, check the area underneath the bathroom and look for leaks in the ceiling through patch repair or discolored paint.  You can also look at the hose or pipe fitting under the sinks or around the toilet for mineral deposits. This may also indicate a plumbing concern.  Water damage can lead to damaging the structural integrity of the home.  If you find areas of concern, you should order a professional inspection. 

Check To Make Sure The Design Works For You 

It is a good idea to look beyond the fancy wall colors, new fixtures and flooring to see if the design concept fits your needs. 

Plumbing: How easy is it to access the plumbing if there is a problem.  Look for access panels for the tub, shower, toilet and the sink(s).  Do cabinets or vanities hinder access to the plumbing. 

Fixtures:  How easily do the faucets turn on.  What type of water pressure do you see. Is the water running fast or slow?  Have a professional check the water pressure coming into the house. If it is too high, it is placing stress on the hoses and pipes which could cause a breach at some point.  

Lighting:  Lighting plays many different roles in a bathroom.  Do you have proper lighting around mirrors that is bright and clear?  Is there soft lighting to set a more relaxing mood while bathing or showering? Is natural daylight able to filter in through windows or skylights?

Ventilation: This is important because improper ventilation can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew and other lingering odors.  Do you have a window that offers fresh air?  Bathroom ventilation can be an area that is skimped on by a builder.  Make sure it works!  If it is weak or not clearing the stagnant air in a short amount of time, replace the fan with a more powerful model that will work with the ventilation you have.  You want to make sure the fan vents to the outside.

 Storage: We often overlook the storage needs when checking our bathroom design, especially in smaller bathrooms. Do you have enough room to store bath linens, toiletries, and other bath supplies?

Don't Shortcut The Number Of Bathrooms When Purchasing A Home.

How many bathrooms does your family need?  Anyone who has had to wait outside a bathroom will not want to compromise in this area.  Generally, this is not an area that is negotiable.  When couples share a bathroom, keep in mind the design.  Can two people function in one bathroom independently of each other.  For example, dual sinks can make a huge difference when people share a bathroom space. 

Also remember that a home with more than one bath will have a better resale value that a home with only one bathroom. 

I hope that some of these tips will help you when it comes time to make your decisions on bathroom design. 

Sheri Gets A Very Unexpected Testimonial!

This morning Sheri grabbed her cup of coffee and proceeded to check her emails.  To her surprise there was a testimonial that made her day.  This is an area that you will never hear Sheri mention.  She takes care of her customers day in and day out.  All she wants is "Client Satisfaction". However during the process of buying or selling a home sometimes emotions can get the better of the buyer, seller or Realtor®.  Yes!  Even a Realtor® can get caught up in the moment.

As much as Sheri warns her clients and customers to avoid getting attached to a particular home, her customers can get attached!  At some point they start to fall in love with a particular property.  This leads to excitement and hope that everything goes well with the transaction.  Unfortunately, as you may have suspected, sometimes deals fall through or don't go as planned and this creates a lot of angst.  What if it happens more than one time?  You can understand why a customer can become discouraged and may even lose hope that there is any property that will fit their "dream home".

Sheri has seen her clients become very emotional because a deal is not going smoothly.  She has told me that this is her time to be a calming force.  When the sky is black with thunder and lightning, somehow Sheri will find the silver lining or that distant rainbow.  She will point out just where that patch of blue sky is and how the sun is shinning through.

Her skill and calming force is not just with her clients.  She manages to be the calming force with other realtors as well.  Where a deal might well fall through because the other agent and their client have succumbed to the emotions of the deal, Sheri knows how to maintain respect and a businesslike attitude and ultimately remain cool, calm and collected.  Her associates have commented on her ability to keep a deal from turning sour. She is gaining a lot of respect from other agents and brokers here in the Sedona real estate market.

Here is a testimonial from a client who has been on the emotional roller coaster (more than once) through their quest to find the "dream home".

~~~ TESTIMONIAL ~~~