As a savvy real estate agent you are well aware that when showing houses, kitchens and the bathrooms get special scrutiny from prospective buyers. But did you know that remodeling a bathroom is one of the most popular projects for homeowners to carry out? According to the 2012 Remodeling Index Survey by the National Association of Builders, in which they surveyed some 2,000 professional remodelers nationwide, remodeling a bathroom was the most requested project by an astonishing 78%. Check out the full Remodeling Index Survey at
http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=180910.
Hot Trends in Bathroom Remodeling
Any house that you're listing has multiple features that can attract buyers. But if a remodeled bathroom is such a top project for homeowners, it probably will appeal to home buyers too. If a house has a recently remodeled bathroom, why not make it a selling point? What are the striking features that could be highlighted in a listing? MSN recently surveyed several remodelers and quizzed them about trends that they saw emerging. Brighter bathrooms with added windows and skylights, soaking tubs replacing Jacuzzis, his-and-her sinks and vanities to give each person their own space in the bathroom, and radiant heat floors were some of the recent trends that remodelers are observing. Increasingly the bathroom is becoming a luxurious sanctuary, with some renovations featuring flat-screen TVs, towel warmers and even small refrigerators. But the more general move towards “green” or sustainable building is also being reflected in a new interest in products such as low-flow toilets and on-demand water heaters. Any newly added features such as these could be talking points for the home's listing on your website and social media channels. You can read the full MSN article with a complete list of recent bathroom remodeling trends at
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108041.
Staging the Bathroom
Now that you've decided to highlight the remodeled bathroom in your listing, it's time to think about the best way to display all these great features. Before you get out your camera and start taking pictures, does the bathroom need a little staging to help it show to its best advantage? Even a recently renovated bathroom will look better if all surfaces are cleaned and sparkling. Remove clutter such as cosmetics, hairbrushes and medicines from countertops, vanities and bathtub edges or shower caddies. Remove the trash can and keep the toilet lid down. Make sure that towels and shower curtains blend harmoniously with the color of the bathroom tiles and paintwork. If the aim of the bathroom renovation has been to give it a luxurious, self-indulgent feel, accentuate the mood with piles of fluffy white towels and a beautiful flowering plant. You can get some helpful tips on staging the bathroom to look like a mini-spa in this video on the DIYLife website, at
http://www.diylife.com/videos-partner/how-to-stage-a-master-bathroom-379610938-219.
Taking Great Photographs
To show off the remodeled bathroom in your photographs, use natural light if you can. Open the windows to the full extent. If there is no window, install high-wattage bulbs to add some light. Hanging another mirror opposite the vanity will help the room to appear brighter and roomier. But be aware when you're taking photographs of what the mirror might reflect: this may affect how you compose the shots. Use a good quality digital camera and take shots from many different angles so you can pick and choose the best pictures later.
Listing the Bathroom
Now that you have a beautifully staged bathroom and some great photographs to show it off how will you highlight the remodeling in your listing? Home buyers respond well to adjectives like light, bright, and open, so if the renovation added windows or skylights, describe those new amenities. First-time home buyers in particular will react well to the suggestion that they can improve their lifestyle by moving into a house with well-appointed, luxurious facilities. People who have never owned a home before may also be nervous about being suddenly responsible for the upkeep that may occur with an older bathroom. If the bathroom's wiring, pipes or plumbing have been renewed or replaced, that's a great selling point. And if high-end fixtures or materials have been installed, using brand names like Grohe or Rohl or phrases like “custom cabinetry and marble countertops” will give the listing a sense of specificity that may appeal more to potential buyers than indistinct descriptions like “luxury bathroom”. Similarly, “remodeled” is a more specific adjective than “updated” and will attract the viewer. But remember that people's attention span can be short: to maximize the bathroom as a selling point, your description should appear in the first 50 words of the listing. Be specific and concise in your wording, add a great photograph to your listing, and take advantage of bathroom-appeal to attract new leads!
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