Rocky Mount, NC on Aug 25, 2011

Ok, all you savvy re-modelers!

Here's a dilemma: We're going to be selling our home (moving to new location) and I need some advice on what to do with my master bath to maximize sales appeal in this tough market (without putting more into it than I'll get out!). The bath is very large, with a separate shower and jetted tub. Tile is all the white 4" tile. We're going to replace the countertops with Caesarstone or granite, as well as all the knobs, faucets, etc. The shower is glass trimmed with that brass, which of course makes it look a bit dated. If we were staying, we'd do a complete remodel and redo all the tile. Putting it on the market, I'm wondering if changing countertops and hardware would do the trick? What do you think?

20 Comments

James A Roswell, GA

The new countertop and faucets would definitely be a eye catcher. Make sure your sealant around the tub, etc, doesn't have any mold.

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 1
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

I would also try and spray paint the shower metal to match with the new faucets. Add a nice tile border to the existing white tile. I wouldn't spend on granite, but do a quartz or try granite transformations. Here is an article I wrote a while back, on how you can spruce up your bathroom to look like a million dollars. You could try a few ideas to get the much needed appeal you want for selling.
http://www.networx.com/article/get-some-me-t...
Good Luck!

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 1
Cheryl F Rocky Mount, NC

Yamini - I've never tried to spray paint anything like that. Is there a special paint you use? I was thinking we'd have to replace them with borderless glass or something.

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 0
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

Cheryl, try this after thoroughly covering the glass and floor of the shower. Krylon Primer (First coat after lightly rubbing existing finish with metal scrub), Krylon satin finish in any color you like, chrome, nickle etc (2nd coat) and then lastly Krylon clear Polyurethane, finishing coat for protection. This should do the job. Here is a blog where the blogger experiments this on her shower. http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com/2009...

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 1
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Since you have a separate tub and shower area the Reworking the shower stall in a new glass enclosure would be a big "upgrade" and catch a potential buyers eye.
The painting option Yamini suggested my look low budget and raise some other questions if it does not come out well.
pricing on some of these shower kits is not too bad. ...»

http://www.bathandgranite4less.com/bathroom-...

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 1
CR Draves . com Fremont, CA

Remodeling a house in a poor market is a risky idea, but if you live there its going pay off eventually.
Remember a paint job and new plumbing will do wounders for a bathroom, as well as a good cleaning job. The nice thing is that you spend way less dollars to see if that will sell the house.
If your going to spend the big money to remodel, do it right. Don't skimp on small stuff and ...»
cheap plumbing. Find a good contractor who will stand behind their work and use quality parts. The hardest part is getting everything to match just right. For that I usually ask my customers to find a picture of what they want, a picture says a thousand words. There are some excellent computer design programs out there that will help the homeowner as well.
C.R. Draves

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 1
French Remodeling Kansas City, MO

If what you have looks alright just dated don't waste your money. The new buyers will either like the old look or gut the bathroom and select what they like.

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 0
Cheryl F Rocky Mount, NC

Thanks, everyone - these are really helpful suggestions! I really appreciate it. How great to tap into such a broad pool of experience - that makes this such a unique site!

on Aug 25, 2011 · Like 0
Susan M Woodstock, GA

Hi cheryl
You mentioned all white tile...have you considered taking out one horizontal row of tiles in the shower and adding 4" of decorative tile? (about 4ft from the floor) It will make the bath more interesting and definately more modern. Small 1" mosaic tile would probably work best. Leaving the end caps, carefully chisel out the tile - the first one is the hardest - and be sure to use grout ...»
with a sealer solution, rather than grout with water. Shouldn't be too expensive. Just a thought...

on Aug 29, 2011 · Like 2
Cheryl F Rocky Mount, NC

Good idea, Susan!

on Aug 29, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

I would caution about trying to remove a row of tiles as Susan suggests...If this tile is set on dry wall or green board ( which is likely due to the age of the home) then that "backer" will come away with the tile...I have seen this happen many times....you would be left with nothing to attach the new tile to...installing a narrow strip of "new" backer would add some extra challenges,

on Aug 30, 2011 · Like 0
Elaine G Chapel Hill, NC

Cheryl, I sold my Bailey home in May. I know my sister had her house on the market in RM for over two years. She finally moved back in. Her BR too, is big and all white tile & brass. I caution you before dumping money in there to talk to some others who recently sold in your neighborhood. It is a tough market and I hate to see you lose. On the other hand, if you feel your pricing will be very competitve and would be a STEAL with the renovations then for big impact. I would replace all the ...»
hardware as you said with the copper/black and replace the doors. Everyone is doing brushed nickel now..... If you like it, paint a faux copper patina on walls and change out your accessories. If the countertop is bad replace it with a new highgrade laminate if it means thousands to do it in stone. THen TRY to sell it. If no bites or comments come back from at least 2-3 ppl go do more. We did that with our tiny kitchen and BOOM, track lighting, microwave off the counter and a bright color sold our house on the next viewing. If it hadn't moved in another month we were going to change our the countertops. Glad we waited! Good luck!

on Sep 01, 2011 · Like 1
Cheryl F Rocky Mount, NC

Elaine, thanks for your insightful comments. We sure don't want to put more into than we will get out of it; however, with the market in RM so sluggish, a home needs to look updated to sell. The brass just makes everything look dated, so I think if we get rid of that and make a few minor changes, it should look updated enough to give selling it a reasonable try. Hope your sister's home sells! In our neighborhood, homes are selling as there aren't many available...so, we're hopeful!

on Sep 01, 2011 · Like 0
Elaine G Chapel Hill, NC

my husband said there is a company called Get a Grib. 919-878-5800. He said they resurface laminate in colors and textures and it looks awesome and cheap. Maybe you can find a website and find out more.

on Sep 08, 2011 · Like 0
Terry Haas Charleston, SC

A sexy, spa-like feel in a master bath is money in the bank for resale! Buyers love the look and feel of an updated bath.
Don't go crazy, but granite, new faucets, clean grout/tile and a coat of paint will do wonders. Also, update simple things like lighting and mirrors. Make sure that the smell is fresh and clean, towels are fluffy and the drawers are organized. This is a great place to play soothing soft music playing.
It is all about the experience!

on Sep 08, 2011 · Like 0
Cheryl F Rocky Mount, NC

Great ideas, Terry!

on Sep 11, 2011 · Like 0
DONNA Cedartown, GA

If you are wanting more "bang for your buck" and the shower is updated but just doesn't need the "brass" look, here is one option. Take a fine grit sandpaper and very gently sand the "shine" off of the trim. Second, protect the glass around the entire shower with a good painter's tape. Third, take your fingernail (if you have any) and edge the tape so that it is "sealed" against any rough looking edge. Foruth, purchase a primer-based paint from your local home improvement store in ...»
whatever color coordinates with your knew handles, etc. Another option would be to go with a gloss white since you have white tile, etc. Then, take a small brush (some like a 1" foam brush since this is a small job) and make slow, steady strokes from top to bottom. Once the paint has dried and you are positive it is ok to remove the tape, slowly take the tape off the shower and remove any access paint. That way you will change the trim without having to purchase another shower door. Hope that this works for you and have a great day!!

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 0
Cheryl F Rocky Mount, NC

Well, we ended up just painting, changing out the hardware and calling it a day on the master bath. Looks great, but would have loved to have done more. Turns out that to replace the faucets on the jacuzzi would have required taking off the tile, which we didn't want to get into. We came up with a nice combo that melds the brass with the rubbed oil bronze nicely. Looks very spa like, and initial showings have been very positive. Wish us luck finding a buyer! ...»

Elaine - hope your sister finally had luck selling her home!

on Jul 24, 2012 · Like 0
Neill B Marietta, GA

We have the same white tile/brass going on in our master bath and we are preparing to sell. I would love to see pictures of what the bath looks like now!

on Aug 11, 2012 · Like 0
BeckySue, Certified Maste... Lawrenceville, GA

Cheryl, coming in late, but wanted to share that i went through the same dilemma! My first stage of upgrades was to remove the plate glass mirror and install 2 separate oil rubbed bronze light bars over each sink with frame mirrors that had both brass and bronze - surprising how much it tamed the brass down! We put our house on the market (2yrs ago) and didnt have much response. The bathroom was "updated" but my problem came that it wasnt done nearly as nice as the kitchen :-/ The ...»
market has improved now.. but we decided to renovate and do new tile, new fixtures, vanities and even a shower door. We did bronze on the shower door - frameless is about 30% + more than the framed models. Put our house on the market and it went under contract in 3wks!

on Aug 17, 2012 · Like 0

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