One bathroom?

In our search for our "forever house", we have been finding a few houses we love. Problem is there is only one bathroom.

Right now, its just DH and myself. However, when we have kids I definatly want to have 2 baths (or at least 1.5)

Do you think its worth it to look at houses with only 1 bath with the idea of putting in a second a few years down the road? (Obviously we would make sure the house is able to accomodate a second bath somewhere).

If you have put a second bath in your home (whether it be half or full), would you mind sharing the overall average cost?

Thank you!

Re: One bathroom?

we only have one. Its not ideal but it works...its just the two of us but my parents stayed with us for 2 weeks and it still worked.

We are going to dormer our back soon so we will be adding 2 baths upstairs and the old one downstairs will become a 1/2 with laundry (we have no basement).

Re: One bathroom?

when we were looking at houses, we really wanted 2 baths, especially if it was a 2 floor house. we ended up with 2.5 baths! the bathroom on the first floor is so convenient and it's used by all of our guests when we have people over. and the other full bath is in our master bedroom, so we use that everyday too.

it's just a preference, but we knew going into our house hunt that we didnt want to do any renovations at all, so we were looking for a move-in ready home.

Re: One bathroom?

It's just DH and I, we have one bath. I would've liked more but I wanted this house. Having children didn't work out for us, but I would still like another bathroom, even if it's a 1/2 bath. We have room to dormer upstairs, but it's not a priority right now..I'd rather travel!!

At some point we will dormer the upstair bedrooms and put a bath in as well.

If you find a house you love and you see there is room to do it later, go for it!

Re: One bathroom?

we have one, but will have 3 when we do our extention.

Re: One bathroom?

When we first got our house it only had 1 bathroom on the main floor.

After renovations we now have 3.5 baths
2 upstairs, half on first floor and full in basement

Anythings possible you can always add on

Re: One bathroom?

we are currently house hunting. we will not look at a house without 2 ... we have two now and I grew up with 1 (seven people in the house - until i was 14) and it was a nightmare...

Re: One bathroom?

I bought a small cottage type house with one bathroom.(Just me and my SO were moving in so it was OK. Though I didn't have the need for more at the time, I knew the house could be dormered and the basement was unfinished which I felt favorable for resale.
However, my daughter decided to go to grad school locally and needed a place to live. We refinished to basement and added a full bath (no tub, just shower). It cost us $15K to give her the bath, a living room and sleeping area..no kitchen. She's got a nice set up down there which should appeal to younger couples if I ever sell. Could even be made into an apt. with a small kitchen for added income if necessary.
So I guess what I'm saying is that one bath is completely doable to a couple and even one with a baby. If you love a house with potential for adding later on, I'd go for it. You've got your whole future to build and hopefully increae your income. For some just starting out, looking for that "forever" home is just not within reach. A happy couple can live in a starter house and share a bathroom very easily.
GOOD LUCK!!!

Re: One bathroom?

We bought a house with one bathroom and added a .5 bath. When you make sure there is a place to put the bathroom, just be sure that the plumbing would work for that location.

We did ours as part of a kitchen renovation but I would venture to say that it was maybe $6k to add it?

Message edited 2/12/2011 6:29:26 PM.

Re: One bathroom?

I would never buy a house without 2 bathrooms. We have 2. I lived with 1 before this house. Now one on each floor. This is just so much more convenient.

Re: One bathroom?

I wouldn't buy a house without at least 1.5 but that's just my own personal preference

Re: One bathroom?

The house we bought had 1 bathroom, and it was fine for the two of us. It was only annoying when 1 of us was in the shower and the other needed to use the bathroom.

We now have 2 bathrooms since doing the dormer. If we were to do it again, I would buy a house with at least 1 and a half baths or if you find a home you love and it has 1 bathroom, make sure there is a way you can add a second bathroom in the future.

Scott

Re: One bathroom?

2 bathrooms was a must for me. It was the only thing I was not willing to budge on.

Re: One bathroom?

Another thing to mention is that when u add bathrooms legally - your taxes will go up

Re: One bathroom?

Re: One bathroom?

Re: One bathroom?

We only have one and it's ok for now but we know we will have to expand in the future if I was to do it again I would look for a house with a masterbath. JMO

Re: One bathroom?

We have only one and it is just the 2 of us. Eventually we would like to do a half bath in the basement. It is just nice to have a back up toilet

Re: One bathroom?

More than 1 bathroom was a MUST for us too when we were looking, but it just was not working, so that was actually the one thing we gave in on, but only because we knew exactly where we planned to add one later on. a year and half later after we moved in, we added that bathroom and atleast have one that we decorated and love it!
I am actually really happy we ended up giving in!

Re: One bathroom?

I have always lived with only 1 bathroom so I have never had a problem. Right now we have 2 adults and 2 children with 1 bathroom. We are making it work as we don't plan to have get another one.

Re: One bathroom?

We bought a house with just one. We're planning to go up in a couple of years, and when we do that we'll add another. No problems yet!

Re: One bathroom?

If you find a place with the space for it, I don't see why it should be an issue.

We needed 2 full baths because we get ready for work and leave at the same time...it was impossible for us to get ready on top of each other all the time...

Re: One bathroom?

We have 2 and only use one.

Re: One bathroom?

If there are 2 people living in a home, 2 bathrooms are a must for me!