6 Things Recent Homebuyers Can’t Stand About Their Bathroom
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Buyer’s remorse comes in many forms. In the aftermath of the most recent real estate rush, many homebuyers who were willing to compromise their priorities are now wishing they hadn’t been so lax about things like their down payment budget or paying way over the asking price.
And a recent study found that 1 in 4 first-time homebuyers who purchased a home in 2021 and 2022 regrets buying a property that needs too much maintenance.
As it turns out, underlying maintenance problems can manifest quite quickly in the bathroom. It’s a room that gets a lot of use.
So after enough time, red flags that were simply overlooked during the buying process—or viewed as minor fixes—eventually become major annoyances or problems.
We reached out to real estate experts and new homeowners to learn what their top bathroom regrets are, and it has been an education. Read on for insight into the issues, and quick—and sometimes not so quick—ways to alleviate the pain.
1. Poor lighting
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As crazy as it seems, simply swapping out a lightbulb or two can transform the way you experience your bathroom every day.
“I bought a house a year ago,” says David Hampshere, CEO of Purple Egg Real Estate, which serves the Florida Panhandle and Lower Alabama. “The biggest problem was lighting. The shower area has a single light outside of the curtain, and I felt like I was taking a shower in the dark. After putting up with it for a while, I tried swapping out a new, bright LED white lightbulb.”
That simple swap made a huge difference.
“I still have a shadow in the lower part of the shower, but it’s so much brighter, and I can see a lot better,” Hampshere says.
2. Bad ventilation
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New homeowners may discover unwelcome interlopers in their bathroom soon after moving in: mold and mildew.
“If there’s poor ventilation in your bathroom, you’ll find that mold and mildew build up really quickly,” says Kerry Sherin, a consumer advocate at home valuation company Ownerly. “It’s an eyesore and a health hazard, and may cost a lot to fix if you let it get out of control.”
A bathroom airflow problem can be a relatively inexpensive fix. Install a bathroom or window exhaust fan and run it during and after showers. If you hire a professional, this project will set you back about $350.
3. Weak water pressure
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When you take your first shower in your new house, you’re going to have certain expectations about the water pressure. And even if you did turn the shower on to check the flow before buying the house, it’s tough to fully gauge pressure before actually taking a shower. Often, new homeowners are left disappointed after their first shower.
“Low pressure or inadequate flow is a top issue new homeowners might discover,” says Grace Baena, interior designer at Kaiyo Used Dressers. “Swapping out a showerhead is a pretty cheap and easy fix.”
Premium showerhead replacements start at around $50.
4. Not enough storage
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No matter how capacious your bathroom is, chances are, you wish there were even more places to store items and hang towels.
This fix is easier than you might expect.
“I work with retirees and find that a lot of them regret the lack of storage space in the bathrooms and didn’t anticipate what a problem it would be,” says Karl Holland, head of culture and lifestyle for Life Part 2, a retirement advisement company.
“Adding storage space is simpler than people think, though,” says Holland. “Just installing a shelf or cabinet over the toilet and adding a few hooks to the wall for hanging towels can make a huge difference.”
5. Uncomfortable toilet
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File this one under the highly personal problem pretty much no one wants to discuss.
“One of the biggest regrets I see is clients who say that they just didn’t know how uncomfortable their new toilet would be,” says Robin Burrill, CEO and principal designer at Signature Home Services in Keller, TX.
“I tell all of my clients to sit on the toilet before buying,” Burrill explains. “It can feel odd in a home they’re considering buying, but it is the worst surprise to learn you can’t get comfy.”
But if you do find a subpar experience, Burrill says you could replace either the seat itself or the toilet entirely.
Toilet seats start around $30, and new toilets start around $200 and can go up to $2,000 or beyond.
6. Just plain outdated
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In the hierarchy of concessions desperate homebuyers are willing to make to get the house, disregarding a dated bathroom definitely ranks high. But as time goes by, it can get harder and harder to live with fixtures that were installed decades ago.
“We love our home, but the bathroom does feel really outdated,” says Tara Gutman, an attorney for New York’s Goldberg, Miller & Rubin, who lives in upstate New York with her family. “The shower is smaller than most are these days, the vanity is too low, and the old jetted tub stopped working soon after we moved in. Plus, there isn’t enough storage space. It’s a good size overall; it just needs a face-lift.”
An average bathroom remodel costs about $11,237, but prices vary based on the scope of your project and where you live.
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