Rebath Walk in tub - help or hinderance?? (RE agent, conversion, agent)

[Rogarven]

To those RE agents, is it a hinderance to have a home with a bathroom with a Walk-in tub like a Rebath conversion when selling a property? We have a large home with 2 and 3/4 baths. The 3/4 has a fiberglass shower in it ( it would be considered a "maid's bath") . Wife has MS and is considering converting the fiberglass shower into a walk-in tub with hydrojets. The rep was here yesterday and it is close to $10K for the install. I really am skeptical but she may eventually need it and I have always wanted a jacuzzi tub but thought they were not practical. When it comes time to sell, would this be a hinderance or not? We have remodeled the other 2 full baths with tile and corian one piece sinks, Kohler fixtures.

[NinaN]

Hindrance unless in a retirement community.

[chet everett]

...and I am skeptical of any real medical / health benefits either. The seating position is VERY upright and not conducive to the sort of angles that one can use in a normal therapy tub. The firms selling these things have not been forthcoming about real science behind them, more like "we say they're great and you can bulk Medicare, so why not enjoy"... Not good!

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Not sure whether it would add to the value of your home, but can't see how it would detract.

I would recommend against jets. Keeping them clean is a challenge. If you don't use it for a time, you've got scummy water coming out. The pumps need repairs.

Soaking in the warm water is the big draw for me. Streams of water add little to my enjoyment and a lot to my workload.

We installed an on-demand hot water heater when we installed our tub.

Wish we had gotten the slide-in tub that was wheelchair accessible, instead of the more narrow door. When spouse had to stay off one leg for three months, he could not safely hop in the tub. With the larger door, he would have been able sit down on the seat and swing his legs in.

[Smooth23]

I'd say it would detract, only by personal opinion. I probably wouldn't not buy a house if it had one, but it would lose points for sure.

[LifeIsGood01]

You already have 2 full baths, so if you and your agent sell it as a plus instead of a minus it can be in your favor.

Eventually everyone will bet old and it can get harder for them to step into or out of tubs, I myself have herniated disk problems and at my worst I could not lift my leg high enough to easily get in and out of a normal tub. Many other illnesses can also affect mobility. And it's great as an upsell to people who may have elderly relatives stay with them. My father is older and has a regular tub but uses on of those bath chair/stools to sit on when bathing.

[Rogarven]

Thanks for the replies. I just got a call from the rep in PHX that dropped the price to about $8,800 and no tax. I told him we are still thinking and not ready to make a move yet. We have the money but I don't want to move unless I am sure that it would be beneficial and would be used enough to justify the cost.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I don't think it would make the house harder to sell, but you wouldn't get any of that money back, either. The thing is, if you need it, have it installed because you need it without considering resale.

Some buyers are looking for houses that can eventually handle a wheel chair; people who think ahead and hope to stay in their new house forever.

A lot of people build with wider hallways and wide doors, planning ahead for the future. I don't think a walk-in tub is a negative.

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

$9K seems spendy. I would encourage you to shop around, compare prices.

[Ohiogirl81]

Since it's not the only tub in the house, it shouldn't be an issue.

It's more important that you use your house how you want to use and need it now, and not how someone else might want to years from now.