6 Bathroom Features That Could Decrease Your Home Value, According to Realtors

Small Shower

Peter Athanasopoulos, a licensed real estate salesperson at Compass Real Estate, says people want space in their bathrooms, and having a super small one can be off-putting to a buyer.

“People don’t want to do jumping jacks in the shower, but they want enough space to move around,” he says. “It’s a person’s time of zen and relaxation, or if they’re in a rush they don’t want to be bumping into walls and glass doors.”

Vanities With Limited Space

Bathroom storage is a must. If you don’t have anywhere to put your toiletries, that can be a total nuisance to you and a huge downfall when trying to sell. “No cabinets in the bathroom of any kind is usually a big negative to consumers,” says Athanasopoulos. “Vanities are expensive and custom vanities are even more expensive, so most people want to buy a home with little to no [need for] cosmetic repair or renovation.”

Overdone or Outdated Tilework and Cabinetry

Athanasopoulos says since bathroom design styles change, having over-the-top tiles or cabinetry may not attract buyers. “The best idea for homeowners who want to resell their home is to stick to a simple, classy, and timeless design,” he says. A busy design in a bathroom may leave potential buyers feeling like it will take a lot of work to renovate to their liking.

Jacuzzi Tub

“In my experience, the one thing that decreases the value of a bathroom is the jacuzzi tub,” says real estate agent Robert E. Elson of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Buyers don’t want them and feel they have to remove them (which is costly), they are expensive to maintain, and their inner workings tend to deteriorate over time.” Elson explains the best way to go is always to opt for a plain stand-alone tub.

No Bathtub at All

“Homes without bathtubs in any of the bathrooms can be challenging for prospective buyers and renters,” says real estate agent Jeremy Kamm of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Whether it’s due to an affinity for soaking in a tub or for bathing younger children, a home should always have at least one bathtub.”

However, even if your home has a bathtub, that might not be enough. Athanasopoulos says that a home should not just have a tub, but a shower as well. “Having only a bathtub in the house decreases home value,” he says. “People are not taking baths like they used to.”

Customized Bathrooms

“The bathroom isn’t the place to show off your creative side,” says real estate agent Dan Ragone of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “A highly customized bathroom with bold colors or odd tile patterns can be off-putting.” He explains it’s always a safe bet to keep things simple by using calming, neutral tones.

Real estate agent Karen Kostiw of Coldwell Banker Warburg warns that high-end materials used to customize your bathroom can make a potential buyer wary because of the maintenance involved. “Today, buyers prefer low-maintenance,” she says. “However, they do expect the bathroom to be properly waterproof and have proper lighting and layout.”