I own a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom house where all three bedrooms and two full baths are situated upstairs. There's another full bath on the first floor, but right across from it is a closet-sized laundry room that barely fits a washer and dryer since I had to remove the door to prevent it from hitting the machines. We don't have any extra rooms on the first floor that could become a bedroom. Also, we don't have a pool, which could make having a bath on the first floor more appealing. I'm considering switching the current small laundry room to a half bath and turning the full bath into a much larger laundry space. My main concern is whether making this change will affect the value of my home. I realize that a 3/3 looks better than a 3/2.5 on paper, but will a nicer laundry room compensate for this change? Any advice would be much appreciated since we're new homeowners and still learning the ropes.
3 Answers
It's tough to say without seeing a floor plan, but practicality matters here. If your current laundry room has no door and the full bath isn't serving you, it seems like you're not getting much value from it as is. Unless you're selling soon, it's often better to make changes that suit your needs. Just keep in mind that changing from a full to a half bath might impact appraisal values, but not all buyers will focus only on that when they see an improved laundry area.
Honestly, I think a bigger laundry room would be a win for most people, especially since the full bath seems kind of unnecessary. If you're not using it much, swapping it out for a laundry space that works better for you could be a great move. Plus, if you have the plumbing access, it shouldn't be too tough to change around, even with the concrete slab situation.
I can relate; I was in a similar boat! We had a tiny laundry and a full bath, and we decided to switch them. I think a larger laundry could actually enhance your home's appeal, especially if most homes in your area have what you're going for. Just be wary of the costs, as relocating plumbing can be pricey. Research what neighboring properties offer because two full baths are typically attractive, and you should consider what would appeal to buyers in your area.