Any time you can add an additional bath to a home it is always the better investment as far as return is concerned. In this case it would certainly be the better of the two options that you have presented. the best return is always a full bath (toilet, tub, sink) but if that is not possible the minimum should be a 3/4 bath (toilet, shower, sink). In this area, no matter the age of the home, adding a bath to a bedroom is always a good investment.
Thanks
Terry Reynolds
Windermere Oak Harbor

Adding either an additional bath or enlarging the family room will probably add value to your house, but as Meredith says, it can also depend on the neighborhood. If you have an older home where the Master Bedroom does not have a private bath, then adding a bath to the Master Suite is always a great addition, and a private bath in the Master Suite is almost considered a necessity in today's market. Also, if you have bedrooms that don't have access to a bath on the same floor, than adding another bath has value.

But otherwise, I would recommend doing whichever of the two options is most useful for your family. If you don't need an extra bath, but spend a lot of time in the family room, then enlarging the family room may be the best investment. I agree with Sam & Meredith, that you should invite a Realtor in to help give you some ideas of what will add the most value for resale.

Good Luck, and Welcome Home!

What really matters is the flow of the house. Adding another bath is okay if you are able to add it in a way that does not compromise the use of other important rooms. Same with the family room addition. Also, you need to be careful of "over-remodeling" for your area if you are thinking of resale. There aren't that many 3.5 baths homes in Oak Harbor. If a remodel isn't done correctly, it can devalue your house - even if it's something that usually adds value like a bathroom or a bigger family room.

If you really love your house and plan to live in it indefinitely, then by all means add whatever you want to make it as awesome as possible for yourself. If you are thinking of resale, I would definitely call in a real estate agent to help you decide where to spend your money. We see good and bad remodels all the time - more people should ask our advice!

Good luck!
Meredith Laws

Adding a bath is almost always a good investment for resale. Adding the square footage to the family room might have less of an effect on a straight financial analysis.

However, the devil is in the details. Is the family room the focal point of the house? Does the front door open to this area, creating a first impression? You should really have someone come out to your home and help you decide based on its unique characteristics.