Do buyers prefer a bath or shower?

Mojisola

My parents were given the same advice by the OTs. It's easy for an older person or someone whose health isn't good to get chilled while waiting for the bath to empty. They had a level access shower installed.

We've taken our bath out and replaced it with a big shower cubicle - when we were planning the new bathroom none of us could remember when the bath had last been used. If we had had any plans to move in the near future, I would have left the bath in but we haven't and prefer to have what suits us, not some potential future buyer.

Cazza

I used to work in an Estate Agent's and properties with only a shower did put off a not insignificant number of people looking for "family" homes. They don't put off everyone though. If you're not planning to move in the next few years, then do what is right for you, now. You have to live there, it is your home and s*d what the next person thinks.

Waterlily24

I prefer a bath but would be prepared to buy a property with a shower if there was room to put a bath instead of the shower and providing we had enough money to do it.

Lavendyr

We would definitely not buy a house without a bath as a young professional couple who would be looking at houses of that kind of size.

Can you get any kind of aid which would help you to get into the bath? Or can you install a 'shower room' elsewhere in the property?

Otherwise I would 'move up' your moving plans to find a place which will suit you better, or have the shower put in but factor in that you may need to ask a lower price for the house.

jfh7gwa

We prefer showers, but it would put us off buying somewhere at the top of our budget if there was no bath.
Certain things like bathing others (little ones), bathing the dog, and the occasional cleanouts my husband has (of the outside space) are all made much easier if there's a bath.
So we could LIVE with a shower only for day to day use but it would be a total pain for the couple of times a month we actually have use for a bath. We'd have to change it, basically, even if it was something we had to save up for.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it would be a black mark against the property when comparing otherwise equal properties to buy (if the price was about equal and other considerations like space were somewhat similar).

budgetdiyer

If at all possible retain a bath (with a shower over).

It won't necessarily devalue the property (just having a shower) but will massively affect the appeal and saleability of your house.

Maybe one option would be install a shower cubicle now and replace it with a bath (when / if you come to sell)

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

I don't know anyone that regularly would use a bath instead of a shower, I've probably had 4 or 5 baths in the last decade, but I shower every day.

Still wouldn't buy a house without a bath though. Just in case I ever want one.

HB58

Thanks for your opinions. If nothing else, they help me to clarify things in my own mind.

We could possibly put a shower into the cupboard next to the bathroom, but that would lose quite a lot of storage space, I don't think there is anywhere else we could put a shower. I don't want a walk-in bath as sitting is difficult for me, I would much rather have a walk-in shower. I had an assessment from a social services OT, she wouldn't countenance anything other than installing a shower, she said that she wouldn't recommend anything to help me in and out of the bath (possibly because I cannot actually bathe anyway).

I can manage the stairs at the moment, but I don't know for how long. I would really rather move into a flat or bungalow sooner, rather than later - but we both need to be happy with that choice!

millym

Since it looks like you're going to be moving anyway, have you tried using a bath board as a short-term solution. I use one, and it means I can sit on the end of it and lift my legs into the bath, then have a shower sitting down. Works great for me. Surprised the OT didn't suggest this as it's a very easy and cheap option.

tyllwyd

I agree with the others who say that it is much the best to move to a suitable property before you start having real difficulties rather than after. Have you actually looked at properties yet? There are some lovely bungalows out there, and they don't have to be retirement properties as such - I can think of a few I've seen locally which have obviously been bought and done up (and probably a loft conversion to add space) by younger families to a very high standard.

But if he won't consider it, I'd say that if what you need is a shower, then that's what you should get - it might put a few buyers off, but if you aren't currently planning to sell, then that's not the biggest issue, your health/comfort comes first.