There are two main options for selling a house with an outdated bathroom—you can either do repairs and upgrades or sell the house as is.
According to the Remodeling magazine and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), bathroom renovations are among the top home improvements with the highest return on investment.
Besides, a bathroom is such a key area of the house that it can make or break the prospects of selling your house.
Therefore, if you have the budget and time for it, you may want to do the renovations as opposed to selling as-is.
However, if you choose to sell as-is, disclose the outdated bathroom upfront to interested buyers and be willing to give a discount on your listing price to cover repairs or upgrades.
Below is a look at the factors to consider when deciding whether to upgrade the outdated bathroom or sell it as-is. We also look at some bathroom renovations and repairs to undertake and how to sell the house as-is.
If your bathroom is in good condition, you do not need to do any major work on it. Perhaps, a fresh coat of paint to spruce it up. Use neutral paint colors to avoid putting off potential buyers with bold ones.
On the hand, if the bathroom has major issues, then extensive repairs or remodels may be necessary. In some cases, such as changing the plumbing or square footage of the bathrooms, you will need permits from your local government.
Bathroom remodels or repairs can cost anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the extent of the improvements. They may also take several weeks or a month. If you do not have a budget for it, you can sell the house as-is.
Nevertheless, there are some ways you can reduce the cost of repairs and remodels. For instance, you do not have to go for high-end, luxurious materials. Reliable, mid-range materials will do. However, do not go for supper cheap stuff.
DIY simple repairs and upgrades such as changing faucets and fixtures to save on labor costs. Hire a reputable contractor for more complicated projects such as plumbing, electrical, and structural changes. It may be expensive upfront, but it will save you lots of money in the long run.
Will the improvements increase the resale value of the house? Or will you recoup your costs from the sale proceeds? If you made major repairs or renovations, you would not recoup your costs fully.
And, if the costs were high, adding them directly to the house’s listing price will inflate your sale price above comparable homes.
Generally, most bedroom remodels have a 50-58% return on investment on your costs, although some have an ROI of up to 71%. However, the improvements can improve the perceived value of the house, increasing your pool of potential buyers.
As per the National Association of Realtors 2022 remodeling impact report, bathroom remodels recorded a 9.6 out of 10 joy score for both homeowners and buyers. Highlight the remodels in your listing and during the showing to inspire interest in potential buyers.
In a strong seller’s market, you can sell the house as-is and still fetch a good price. However, a buyer’s market is highly competitive, and it takes much more effort to close a sale. Therefore, you want your house in tip-top condition, including the bathroom.
If you are considering improvements, below are 5 top affordable bathroom renovations with a high return on investment.
If your bathroom is in relatively good condition, basic maintenance will do. Start by deep cleaning it to remove mildew, soap scum, stains, dirt, and limescale. You may need specialized mold remover. Otherwise, regular detergent and a brush will do.
Then clean up the vents or repair damaged ones. Change up or clean your shower curtain. If there are leaking faucets or broken cabinets, repair them too.
Then, stage the bathroom by decluttering and putting away your personal items. Place fresh towels on the shelves to depict normal use of the bathroom.
New fixtures can turn around the feel and look of your bathroom completely. The good news is most are quite affordable, and you can change them yourself.
Also, there is a wide range of finishes and designs in the market to suit your preference and décor style. Therefore, consider changing up the shower head, faucets, and towel bar.
Changing the flooring can bring a dramatic change to your bathroom. You can install inexpensive vinyl, porcelain, or ceramic tiles for a new appearance.
It will cost about $2.00-$4.00 per square foot. You can also add radiant heat mats beneath the flooring at $150 per 6 feet. Radiant heat mats are an attractive feature, particularly if you live in a cold region.
Vanities are among the most sought-after bathroom features. Customers want a bathroom vanity with the right countertop height and a sink and faucet. Granite or marble countertops and double sink vanities are most preferred.
However, while the ROI of adding a vanity to your bathroom is high, this upgrade can be costlier than the other bathroom renovations highlighted in this article.
Set up bathroom lighting to ensure adequate illumination that emphasizes the best features. You may also want to change the bulbs to energy-efficient ones. Or, install new light fixtures that complement your bedroom design. Also, ensure that the windows are unobstructed to improve lighting and ventilation.
There are two options for selling your house as-is with an outdated bathroom. You can sell it through a traditional sale process or directly to a cash buyer.
In a traditional sale process, you may hire a real estate agent or up it up as for sale by owner (FSBO). Your pool of potential buyers will be limited as most mortgage lenders will be hesitant to finance the house, especially if the outdated bathroom has major issues.
On the other hand, cash buyers are real estate investors who buy houses for flipping or to do major renovations. Therefore, they won’t mind that the house has an outdated bathroom.
However, they will require you to discount your sale price to cover the risk of buying the house as-is. To determine a fair discount, hire a contractor to inspect the bathroom and estimate how much it would cost to repair or renovate it.
Generally, selling to a cash buyer is easy and takes longer than a traditional sale. Identify reputable cash buyers in your area and contact them to get an offer. They will assess your house and offer you a price. Compare various offers, choose the most suitable one, and close the sale.
You can sell a house with an outdated bathroom as-is. The best option would be to sell to a cash buyer, such as webuyhousesindenver.org. However, doing so can significantly reduce your house’s actual and perceived value.
So, you may consider doing upgrades or repairs on the bathroom. Assess the condition of the bathroom, the type of repairs or upgrades required, how much it would cost, and whether these improvements have a significant return on investment. Depending on your budget, you may go for simple repairs or major renovations.
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