My neighbors and I must have been slumming it because the setup in nearly all of our homes was 3/2 -1 bathroom upstairs and 1 in the basement. That being said, when we bought a new home last year, a bathroom on the main floor was a must-have for us. |
"buyers on the Hill" probably prefer a lot of things: outdoor space, parking, 4 bedrooms, finished basement, close to metro ... the point is, the location is the desirable part of the Hill, and buyers have idiosyncratic preferences. The only thing that I think is a true deal-breaker on the Hill is size (most people want space for 2 kids) and the school. Since we have both space for two kids and are zoned for an excellent school, lack of a powder room is not a concern when we sell, although of course I expect it to be considered in pricing to some degree. FWIW I wouldn't pay extra for a powder room myself at this point. I too have seen the 750 sq foot home powder rooms, and I think they are pretty unattractive. Who wants a toilet basically sitting right next to their face in the already tiny living room/dining room? We actually have space to add the powder room and I don't think I'd do it over other possible renos. Much happier having the extra closet space, kitchen space, and bonus room space on the main floor. |
forgot to add ... I think it is MUCH less awkward for guests to use my basement bathroom than a tiny powderoom. It is really awkward to excuse yourself from the dinner table and pee literally one foot away from everyone. I think the only time I've really wished we had one was when we had elderly relatives visiting and I didn't like them going down the basement stairs. |
I think that house is zoned for the least desirable school on Capitol Hill? |
Personally I would - I don't like having to send guests upstairs or to the basement to use the bathroom when entertaining. We have people over a lot. Different strokes for sure, but if there was no PR and no place to put one, I that wouldn't work for us |
True. But it has a lot of curb appeal, a cute outdoors space, and is nicely renovated inside and has a lot of space. Doubt lack of the powder room is going to be the dealbreaker for anyone. The bigger dealbreaker for me would be school and distance from metro. |
Using those tiny powderrooms in the middle of a party in a DC rowhouse literally feels like I'm peeing in public. Do not like! |
I love that someone actually wrote the words, "Our former house on the Hill was tiny, like 1600 sf..." Might be the most DCUM thing I've read this month. |
PP here. I mistyped. It was 1200 sf, no basement. |
We're still talking about the place on 13th listed for 950k, right?
The powder room issue is not a deal breaker for me but would factor into my decision to not put an offer into that house. If the school boundary was better, it wasn't right off of H Street (too close, IMO, I want another block or so buffer), it had a better kitchen and/or bathrooms (all dated), and the interior layout was better, then I wouldn't let the lack of powder room bother me. But all of those things are problematic (not terrible, just not awesome) which means that then I'm like, "plus guests have to go upstairs or down to pee..." It's not a huge deal but it's just another strike against. I think most buyers will overlook 1-3 issue like that, but not 5 (school, location, layout, dated kitchen/baths, no main floor bath). I don't know why we're getting fixated on the bathroom thing when I think the ugly kitchen, poor school, and potentially unpleasant location are the bigger issues at that price point. I do like the front facades on that row of houses on 13th though -- I enjoy walking down that block for that reason and we always look at houses for sale there out of curiosity. But I've never seen one I really liked. |
$11k over asking, under contract in 4 days, closed in 2 week. Pretty intense indeed. |
This one has a great location. Seems a little expensive for 3 beds and no basement though? https://redf.in/3NMMBw |
There is a basement. It says storage so likely not finished. Its a nice house and price seems okay to me. |
Yes, sorry... the basement is a tiny unfinished box. It would need to be dug out further & totally finished to be used as anything other than storage. It's a nice house though and a great location, so I'd love to see it get that price. |
Buyer should add a gazebo and lots of plants to make the most of the patio/garage area. It doesn't take a lot if money but adds lots of functional and aesthetic value. |