Adding value to Property

AnnieO1234

I disagree slightly, a shower room downstairs is a nice addition for anyone who works in messy occupations or goes out running, cycling, that sort of thing. Rather than track mud etc through the house they can shower downstairs. I have a wet room off utility off the kitchen at the back of the garage. (Got the idea from a Patricia Cornwell novel!)

Xxx

melstar11

Sounds as though your shower room is at the back of the garage though, rather than taking up a chunk of the floor space of the actual house? That's different than the OP is proposing.

AlanCD

Doesn't the loft conversion have to have fixed stairs to be counted as another room? - I would imagine that would add value. Also a downstairs toilet is a big bonus in my eyes, you can't please everyone. The house I am moving into has downstairs toilet and decent storage so there was no real waste of space.

Actually you've given me the idea that the downstairs toilet could be a walk in shower room as well

nb0825

1. Definitely an extra bedroom and ensuite if there is enough space in the loft

2. Not sure why you'd want a full bathroom downstairs unless there are at least 2 bedrooms on the same floor.

3. Most people like to have a toilet downstairs, unless there's a real shortage of cupboard space. Keep as it is

Cisco001

I don't think it worth turning toilet to cloak room.

i currently just stick shoe racks and few hooks on the wall in the downstair loo and use it as cloak room...

Do you have enough parking?
If you change 3 bed to 4 bed. I would expect you have enough space for parking at least 2 cars

ThePants999

melstar11 wrote: »

If you do both you'll have a four bedroom house with three bathrooms, one of which will be downstairs. That is an excessive number of bathrooms for the size of the house.

I have a four bedroom house with one full bathroom, two en-suite shower rooms and a downstairs WC. I love it

Hoploz

Bathrooms need to be on the same level as bedrooms.

A downstairs toilet is also vital for a family with young children or who plan to start a family, or for older folk. So quite a lot of people really. They add value. Certainly you would not offend anyone by keeping it.

Downstairs bathroom with no bedroom is waste of space. Some people may think it's useful eg dog shower or workman but more people would prefer storage space.

Loft conversion usually adds value but only if you keep three beds on middle floor, so families can sleep on same level as their young children. Could be a good spare room, office, or playroom, with ensuite in case it is used as a bedroom. So don't go carving up a bedroom to add a staircase, it will detract.

ReadingTim

Assuming this is Sitwell Grove in Stanmore, Middlesex, I think you may hit the price ceiling quite soon, and (without being rude) wonder if might be trying to polish a turd with those plans.

Sold prices on Rightmove aren't too helpful as there have only been 4 sales in the last 6 years, but streetview suggests a relatively unimproved estate of 3 bed semis, possibly ex-LA.

I don't know what's happened/been happening since the last sale in October 2015, or the streetview view of July 2015, but think your plans would easily give you the best house on not such a great street, which you might struggle to sell on - usually one tries to get the worst house on the best street, not the other way around. I don't think you'd get much more than £550k for it (like this one currently listed).

On the other hand, there aren't many other 4 bed places below £600k within a mile of your postcode, so a buyer might think they've got a bargain - as long as they realise their property is somewhat larger than the average for the area. Depends on what you hope to sell it for, what it cost to buy, and the cost of the works.

I should add that all of this is from the perspective of an owner occupier. A BTL landlord looking for an HMO might look at your plans differently, snap the place up and fill it up with recent arrivals to the UK at the drop of a hat. I see there are also Sitwell Groves in York and Rotherham (x2) so might not have the right location!

Cakeguts

It may cost more to convert the loft than you will increase the value of the house by. People who want a 4 bed house will try to get a 4 bed house first and then only buy a 3 bed with a loft conversion if they can't afford a 4 bed house. A purpose built 4 bed house will be bigger downstairs than a 3 bed with a loft conversion so you can't sell a 3 bed house with a loft conversion for the same price as a purpose built 4 bed in the same area. I would suggest that if you want a 4th bedroom then do it for you not because you want to increase the value of your property.

[Deleted User]

Another one here who isn't keen on downstairs shower/bath rooms. My sister in law has a downstairs shower room and it's always a bit awkward having to tip toe through the hallway pass the lounge in full view of everyone whilst wrapped up in your towel.