Hello,

I would have to agree with the others. Having 2 full baths instead of 1 and 1/2 is definitely a selling point especially in today's market. Usually any updates to kitchens and baths are always a plus.

Good Luck to you!
Gina Fagnani
Century 21 Hearst Realty
GinaFagnani@aol.com

Hi there, I think Peter gave you a very good response - I concur, while it is difficult to assure that you will make up the cost of your investment entirely, it is very likely that the addition of the shower, and hence a second full bath will be a reason your home successfully sells. If you are considering a sale in the near future, I'd suggest that you ask a local agent to come in to discuss market value with an eye towards how the change you are making might affect things. Seeing comparables, and the difference an additional full bath makes in price and time to sell, will be most helpful.

In general though, in terms of marketability, I can't see how you can go wrong with adding that shower so that you can offer 2 full baths.

Good luck to you,
Jeannie Feenick
Search and connect at http://www.feenick.com

At least in theory making the 2nd bathroom into a full bathroom you should recover the cost but house valuation is a very imprecise art in the best of times. In this market its virtually impossible.. For example if your 1 1/2 bath house is worth 300,000 today and you put in the shower for $5,000 you would think the house is now worth $305,000 but in the time it took to do the work you house could have declined in value so is still only worth $300,000.
What I will say, however, is that in this maket there are buyers out there but they are very discriminating. They want updated kitchens, they want finished basements and they want 2 bathrooms. So your house with 2 full bathrooms will sell better and quicker than your house with 1 1/2 bathrooms.