Would a downstairs bathroom be a no deal for you?

BugglyB

I am looking for my first house and haven't looked at properties with a downstairs bathroom. Its just not for everyone so bear that in mind. As someone else said you'd still sell it if it was a lovely house but you'd prob get less people through the door.

tbs624

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Just to clarify from your description of the layout...
1. You must have two doors between a toilet and the kitchen. This is a legal health and safety issue.

Not so - single door will suffice. [FONT=Verdana, Arial][FONT=Verdana, Arial] See Building Regs Part G, Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency
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tbs624

Much will depend on what is "normal" for properties in your area. If the majority were built in this way many buyers who like that particular area of your town will not necessarily be put off.

Having a wash handbasin in at least one of the bedrooms tends to be looked on favourably though.

nbewsey

Our first property had a d/stairs bathroom. We were 25 and 23 respectively when we moved out and had no problem with it at all.

We did, admittedly, fit an upstairs bathroom to a "bonus room" we had (room off of a bedroom) and my wife had her dream bathroom (I wasn't allowed in).

We have moved to somewhere with an upstairs bathroom now and I must say that I really miss having the downstairs loo now, I've got used to the upstairs bathroom but the loo is the one thing I do miss

HTH

Frogletina

I have never understood why people like a downstairs bathroom

What happens when you have had a bath, do you walk through the kitchen and lounge to go upstairs to get dressed? What about visitors calling when one of you is having a bath. Even if you get dressed in the bathroom, what about drying your hair?

It certainly would be a dealbreaker for me

I live in my ideal property now. I am in an apartment with a main bathroom, and 2 bedrooms have ensuites. I live on my own and have the choice of 3 loos, 3 shower cubicles and a bath with attached shower! But usually only use my ensuite keeping the main bathroom nice for visitors and only use it when I want a bath

Pennylane

Our house was built in the 1970s (4 bed detached) and the people who had it built chose to have a downstairs bathroom. They had 4 kids and they told me they found it suited their needs better. There's also an upstairs cloakroom.

I also found it very handy when my kids were small. From time to time we have wondered whether to turn one of the bedrooms into a bathroom and use the current bathroom as a study or something. We never have though as the expense wouldn't be worth it and it suits us.

It didn't (and wouldn't in the future) put me off buying a house if there was a downstairs bathroom.

Werdnal

Frogletina wrote: »

I have never understood why people like a downstairs bathroom

What happens when you have had a bath, do you walk through the kitchen and lounge to go upstairs to get dressed? What about visitors calling when one of you is having a bath. Even if you get dressed in the bathroom, what about drying your hair?

Our airing cupboard is also downsairs in the utility room right outside the bathroom door (frosted glass in the back door and no windows), and I keep all towels and undies for the family in there. Then we just remember to take the clothes we need into the bathroom with us before we bath/shower. I also keep a bathrobe on the back of the door incase one of us forgets our clothing. Once you get used to the routine, its not a problem.

Would you dry your hair in the bathroom? - I don't - no sockets! I just walk upstairs after dressing and do it there.

We didn't choose to have a downstairs bathroom, but it doesn't bother us either. If the house is right you overlook these things and quickly adapt to whatever you've got!

Frogletina

Werdnal wrote: »

Would you dry your hair in the bathroom? - I don't - no sockets! I just walk upstairs after dressing and do it there.

I didn't mean I thought people used a hairdryer in the bathroom, just that they would need to go through house with wet hair. Personally I like to dry my hair before getting dressed - but since going to the gym I see that many people dry their hair afterwards

JimmyTheWig

Valli wrote: »

but by the same token it will be cheaper to buy in the first place...

That's my point. But you have to put a value on that to be able to compare.
From my experience (selling one such property, so far from gospel) I'm putting that value at £10k.

So if property A and property B are identical other than A having the bathroom downstairs and B having the bathroom upstairs then if A is £5k cheaper than B then B is better value whereas if A is £15k cheaper than B then A is better value.

rumdiddlyum

i would love a downstairs bathroom i think it is better all round if people come and need to use the bathroom they dont have to go upstairs if you have kids in the future its alot safer to be downstairs when getting them out of the bath than them running around at the top of the stairs. its easier for toilet training it will not desturb anyone if your OH or yourself get up to go to work and have a shower id love one it would make our lives alot easier:)