Adding Extras Can Improve Your Comfort and Lead to Big Returns
(ARA) - Your home is your sanctuary and when it comes time to sell, you want someone else to think of it as their sanctuary too. So how do you make your house stand out from all the others on the market? With upgrades.
"The bathroom is one of the best places to start," says Jerry Ritten, an agent with Counselor Realty in Minneapolis, Minn. "When I show a home that has been upgraded with a luxurious bath tub, in-floor heating, a big sink and great lighting -- it really stands out."
Ritten has been selling homes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market for 18 years, and says he can remember several instances when updated bathrooms led to quick sales. "Anything you can think of to add a touch of class and luxury to your home is sure to make it stand out," he says.
But you don't have to wait until you're ready to sell to start making improvements. According to Remodeling Online, more and more Americans are turning yesterday's simple bathrooms into havens of serenity and relaxation by adding therapeutic features such as massaging bath tubs, in-floor heating, and pedestal sinks.
Massaging Bath Tubs
Ritten says one of the true symbols of luxury in a bathroom is a massaging bath tub. "Any time I show a home that has one, I make a point of emphasizing how it adds value to the property," he says.
Massaging bath tubs come in all shapes and sizes, and there are several different technologies on the market today. Most people are familiar with whirlpool systems that use a pump to draw water out of the bath and then re-circulate it through directed jets. They provide a strong directed massage to the portion of the body hit by the jet. Less familiar to most people is air system technologies that use heavy duty air blowers (similar to hair-dryers) to draw in ambient air, heat it and then inject or channel it into the water, diffusing air bubbles throughout the bath and generating water turbulence. Air system technology produces a whole body massage using air bubbles to stimulate the central nervous system and increase blood flow throughout the body, and water turbulence to massage body tissue.
"Nothing relaxes and rejuvenates the body and spirit better than massaging waters and air," says Scott Tennant of Acryline USA, a New Jersey company that sells air system massaging baths. "They are extraordinarily valuable when it comes to your health."
Air systems are so beneficial from a health standpoint, they are often used in maternity ward birthing centers where patients require full-body massage as part of their therapy and system cleanliness is essential.
Heat lamps and in-floor heating
Massaging tubs aren't the only bathroom upgrade that will give the room a more luxurious feel. In-floor heating is also an extremely popular addition.
"Whenever I show a house that has that feature, I make a big deal about it, and point out to the potential buyer that stepping out of the tub onto a warm floor is a great feeling," says Ritten. "Potential buyers get really excited about it."
There are two types of in-floor heating: electric and hydronic. Electric heating systems have no moving parts and require no maintenance. You should expect to spend $300 to $500 to install an electric system for warming a small bathroom. An equivalent hydronic system would run $4,000 to $5,000. Hydronic systems have high start-up costs because you have to buy a boiler. They also have more maintenance problems. Hydronic systems use valves and manifolds because they need to circulate water continuously, and those parts are prone to sedimentation, mechanical problems and maintenance issues.
Lighting
For people who don't want to spend a significant amount of money on bathroom upgrades, but still want to make a change for the better, a popular thing to do is to update the lighting. Homes built in the 1980s and earlier tend to have small overhead fixtures that don't give off much light. Adding lights around the mirror above the sink, a recessed light above the shower, or perhaps even a skylight to let more daylight in can really make an impact.
Pedestal sink
And to top it all off, you can get rid of that tired old vanity and replace it with a pedestal sink. They really make an impression when you walk into a bathroom.
"You can't go wrong with bathroom upgrades," says Ritten. "You'll definitely get a good return on your investment."
Courtesy of ARA Content
