New townhouse - add fireplace and master bath tub? (how much, buyers)

[Sdm14]

Hi everyone,

We're planning to build a new townhouse. The standard layout comes with a large 2-seater Roman shower in the master bath, and no fireplace. It would cost us $2.5k to add a tub to the master bath, which would cut the size of the shower by half and also cut into the size of the bedroom. It would cost another $2.5k to add a gas fireplace to the family room, which would cause a 2-3 ft bump out in the wall, and the TV would likely have to be wall mounted above the fireplace (possible neck strain?). We rarely use the bathtub in our current place, and don't know how much we would use the fireplace, so wondering if it makes sense to include them just for resale value?

This is in Maryland suburbs btw, NV Homes in Maple Lawn, Fulton. I'm attaching the floor plan in case helpful

Appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Sdm14

The standard layout comes with a large 2-seater Roman shower in the master bath
It would cost us $2.5k to add a tub to the master bath...

Is there another tub on the same level?
If so... save the money.

It would cost another $2.5k to add a gas fireplace to the family room...
...don't know how much we would use the fireplace

Then save this money as well.

...so wondering... resale value?

Buy (build) what YOU want and will serve YOUR need/use.

Let EVERY aspect of "resale value" nonsense ride until you're ready to sell.
Deal with what you have/want/need then.

[goldenage1]

I voted against the bathtub because I would never use it. The Roman shower with seat sounds great, however. Similarly, i have almost never found a good reason for a fireplace. However, if the power might go out or you would enjoy it, it's a good addition.

It would help to know the price range and whether the neighboring houses will have these features. You should not hurt your resale value by exculding features that everyone else has.

[Sdm14]

Thanks, MrRational. Yes there would be another tub in guest bathroom on the same floor - just a standard tub/shower combo though, not as big as the soaking tub option in the master.

I agree we should design our home based on what we want. Just want to make sure it's not too much of a "must-have" for people, since it would be expensive to re-do later. Fwiw, the builder told us the standard layout used to have a tub + shower, but they got a lot of feedback that buyers wanted a large Roman shower instead and to eliminate the tub.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Sdm14

I agree we should design our home based on what we want.

And will use over the next 5-10 minimum years time; Maybe 20+ years.

Just want to make sure it's not too much of a "must-have" for people, since...

If X is a "must have" for a buyer then like the fence for dogs or anything else...
they'll do it then. Save your money let them spend theirs.

[goldenage1]

I looked at the web site, and I would spend the money on a 6' extension. You can always use the extra space in a townhouse.

There was a long debate in the Triangle NC forum on whether to have a tub in the master bath. There was no consensus: about 50% had to have it, and the other 50% would never use it. So, I suggest basing the decision on what you would use.