I currently own my house (no mortgage). It is a three bedroom (2 up, one down) with two bathrooms up, none downstairs. I was thinking that it would be nice for my son to have a bathroom downstairs next to his bedroom, and for when he is hanging out downstairs with friends. The roughed in plumbing is there, and my Dad would do the work for free (well, for a few dinners), so it would just cost me materials. Is it likely that I would recoup my money when I eventually sell if I put in a third bathroom downstairs? Or would it make much difference?
More bathrooms are always nice, but I'd want to know several things before making a decision:
- How old is your son? Meaning, how long is he likely to live at home?
- Are you likely to stay in this house a long time? By that, I'm wondering whether you'll be growing old in this house and whether you might at some point move into the downstairs bedroom yourself. If you yourself are likely to use it eventually, I'd be inclined to put it in -- he's young and healthy and can climb the stairs! You will
one day be elderly.
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Does he mind going upstairs to use the bathroom? Meaning, is this his want or your want? I'm remembering my dear, dear grandmother, who would get the idea in her mind that I needed a certain thing (say, a new dress). So many times I'd say, "I appreciate you thinking of me. I really, really do appreciate you thinking about buying me a new dress, but as a college student I rarely wear dresses, and my everyday tennis shoes are falling apart. Would you get me those instead?" Nope, nothing would deter her from what
she'd decided I needed and wanted.
- From what you say, I'm assuming he's an only child, or the only child at home. Couldn't he move into the other upstairs bedroom so that he would have convenient use of the upstairs facilities?
- Even though you could do this for "materials only", does it fit into your overall budget and long-term savings plans?
- How many baths do other houses in your neighborhood have? If you do resell at some point in the future, you want to be average or smaller -- you want to avoid "overbuilding for the neighborhood.