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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Vote on downstairs bathrooms....

23 replies

FiggyPuds · 05/08/2017 17:19

Just wondering. My adult DC is looking to buy (first time) and one property is a maisonette with lounge, kitchen and bathroom downstairs, and a galleried bedroom on the next floor. My gut feeling is that re-sale might be affected because downstairs bathrooms can be a no-no (if you are needing a loo in the night , ill, infirm, etc.) It's an expensive area so there isn't a huge amount of choice in their price range, but I feel this is a risky buy. Comments?

OP posts:

ApplesTheHare · 05/08/2017 17:24

It depends on the other options, area and reasons for buying. It sounds like it would always be marketed as a property for first-time buyers rather than a family home or a place for an older person, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Having lived in 2 properties with downstairs bathrooms only I can say that you get very used to it very quickly

KitKat1985 · 05/08/2017 17:46

A downstairs bathroom wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me if I was looking at houses. I think as long as the location, inside space and general condition was still good it would be re-sellable.

Ropsleybunny · 05/08/2017 17:47

I agree with you but have they asked for your advice? They are adult children and unless asked you should stay out of it.

PocketNiffler · 05/08/2017 17:51

Is the lounge/kitchen all in one and do you have to walk through it to get to the toilet? I had this arrangement before and that fact made it annoying because you can't have guests in a sofa bed without walking through in the night. But if it's the only option in price range then it will probably sell on.

Original poster

FiggyPuds · 05/08/2017 18:06

I agree with you but have they asked for your advice? They are adult children and unless asked you should stay out of it

Yes they've asked. Why wouldn't they ask for advice as a first time buyer never having even looked at a house before?

OP posts:

Original poster

FiggyPuds · 05/08/2017 18:07

I think so Pocket would need to check but good point.

OP posts:

Bobbiepin · 05/08/2017 18:11

It was a deal breaker for me but seemed really common where we were looking. I think it tends to be in smaller houses where the builders are desperately trying to maximise bedroom space.

PocketNiffler · 05/08/2017 18:11

Is there room upstairs for a macerate for toilet? They are getting much better than they used to be.

OutandIntoday · 05/08/2017 18:17

What is a galleried bedroom - Is it a mezzanine open to the downstairs? That would be a bigger issue ( noise)

Fortheloveofscience · 05/08/2017 18:18

We're buying a house with only a downstairs bathroom so it doesn't bother us.

InvisibleKittenAttack · 05/08/2017 18:35

Does it bother them? Does the price reflect the fact that it's not laid out to everyone's taste? Are they buying a place to live in for a long period or planning on selling on in the next 2 or so years?

I am of the opinion, unless you know you will need to move again in the next year or so, then you are buying a home to live in. Does it bother them ?

I personally think the galleried bedroom would be more of an issue for many people, effectively only having one room for bedroom and living room (otherwise you could put someone up in the living room, one of you go to bed and the other continue to watch TV etc).

Original poster

FiggyPuds · 05/08/2017 19:10

Invisible. They are looking at various places not just one. It's not a mezzanine room, it's up a full flight of stairs - maisonette. The bathroom is off the hall downstairs and you don't go through the lounge to reach it - it's at the bottom of stairs.
It would be a flat that was suitable for one person only. If they married or had a partner and a family, they would move. It's a short term buy most likely for 2-5 years.

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PocketNiffler · 05/08/2017 19:17

Based on everything you've said, I think it sounds fine.

OlennasWimple · 05/08/2017 19:26

Depends on the market. In many places it's the standard layout (where the stock is mostly older houses), so it's fine - buyers accept it for what it is, so it doesn't affect the value in relation to the other properties out there.

I prefer an upstairs bathroom, but have happily lived in places with only a downstairs bathroom.

PickAChew · 05/08/2017 19:33

It depends on the type of house. If it's a terrace of a certain age, then it makes little difference ,(so the EA we're about to put ours on with tells us)

It's only a problem in the night and pretty useful during the day, particularly with small kids, who get mucky or need close supervision, or if you're elderly, as you can live all on one floor, if needs be.

PickAChew · 05/08/2017 19:37

Having read on, I had friends who lived in a modern flat with this sort of layout. It really was fine.

Original poster

FiggyPuds · 05/08/2017 19:39

It's not a conversion, it's a small modern block of purpose built flats, about ten years old, some flats in the block are bigger than others. Anyway, it's just one of several they are viewing.

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ChicRock · 05/08/2017 19:39

Nobody ever goes looking for a house thinking "oh I do hope the bathroom is on a separate floor to the bedrooms".

Yes, some people will be ok with it but it'll never be on anyone's "must have" list.

Toomanycats99 · 05/08/2017 19:47

We have a house with a downstairs bathroom. It was on our list of no's but we loved the house so bought anyway. It's at bottom of stairs so not far in the night. It's great when people come round as well as no need for guests to go upstairs.

Toomanycats99 · 05/08/2017 19:51

However buying a house only suitable for 1 adult - I would look for something you could have 2 adults in if possible. You don't know what is going to happen and whether you will be in a situation to buy another property exactly when you need too.

yomellamoHelly · 05/08/2017 19:53

Our last place had a downstairs bathroom. All the houses in that area had downstairs bathrooms and it was the best of the bunch. Grew to love it.
Have now installed a downstairs bathroom in this house. Is so practical (for us).
So I would say not necessarily a problem.

gluteustothemaximus · 05/08/2017 20:00

Love our downstairs bathroom. Most of the time, we are downstairs, so it's easier. No one needs the toilet at night except me.

Guests don't need to go upstairs.

DH and I can have a bath after the kids have gone to bed without disturbing them.

Kids can come in and out of the garden to the toilet easier without traipsing upstairs.

If we ever move, I'd look for a downstairs bathroom, they are fab.

lovethebeach · 06/08/2017 08:31

Downstairs bathrooms are fine we had one in our old house. Although initially we weren't sure as pp as said at least a guests don't need to go upstairs and you honestly get used to it. If everything else is nice about the property then it shouldn't be a deal breaker.
I completely understand you wanting to help your son find somewhere as my son is also looking to buy his first property and I am often looking on rm to try and find something nice - that he can afford- for him.

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