Guys and the bathtub

[Braxton36]

Mrs. Braxton and I have been looking at an investment rental house recently. It's been in the same family since the 1920's and is sorely in need of some love.

In wrangling with the contractors and architect over estimates, I realized that neither of the bathrooms had showers - tubs only. This is going to require quite a bit of rearranging to work showers into these vintage bathooms without destroying the character. I can't believe that particularly the men who lived in this house all these years (built c1926) never felt the need to install shower(s).

Then I started wondering - maybe they're not necessary? Baths are certainly a vintage thing, but I'm almost exclusively a shower-person. What about the rest of you? Would you find a rental house without showers a big negative (although hopefully balanced by lots of other positives)?

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Does it have claw foot tubs? Our house does, plus that chrome ring that a shower curtain hangs from, and a shower head of course. I'm sure this was added much later than 1920 to our house.

 

[mysterygal]

I rent out a duplex myself...
Bathtubs for guys are fine, but even the mister likes to take a shower after he's done soaking. Though, more than likely not having a shower stall will not cause any problems. It is having a tub that is most sought after since most people love their baths..plus, say, if you're renting to a family, most mother's especially won't consider a place without a tub to wash the kids.
tips: Renters are hard on things...don't put a lot of money into the place.
If you can, tile! it can really take a beating and it easy to clean and we've found Berber carpet is great also.
Good luck!

 

[scotrace]

Showers

Maybe a soak after a good shower.

I don't like to sit in the washed-off schmutz.

 

[mysterygal]

so you're the other way around huh?
*hope we can talk about this and not get into trouble!*
When I take a bath, after awhile, I start breaking into a bit of sweat from the hot water...which, to me, does not make me feel 'clean' ...so after a bit, I need to shower off...plus I don't think baths really get you clean. Or maybe I'm just a germ o phobic?
sitting in a tub of water, you're sitting in your own dirt, while with a shower, it's washing right off of you.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

You absolutely need to install showers, but keep the tubs if they're the footed kind, like the pic below. I won't rent an apartment without a tub and a shower. I hate stall showers. Just try shaving your legs in one of those things!

<img src="http://www.a-ball.com/images/as201c.jpg">

 

[fortworthgal]

I used to live in a rental house that had only a shower stall and no bathtub! I missed baths horribly during that time. lol

I like baths, but I also need a shower. I think most people either shower only or do both. I don't know anyone who only does baths.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I used to live in a rental house that had only a shower stall and no bathtub! I missed baths horribly during that time. lol

I like baths, but I also need a shower. I think most people either shower only or do both. I don't know anyone who only does baths.

My grandmother! But she was born in the 20s.

 

[jonniangel]

Quite frankly, the mister and I are both shower people so my answer is definitely going to be biased but I wouldn't rent a house that didn't have at least one shower.

The house we just moved from in California had a shower stall in the master bath and a clawfoot tub in the hall bath with a shower rigged up above it so we had the best of both worlds.

I'm sure it's a big expense and hassle to install showers but I think you'll increase the number of people who will consider your house by doing so.

 

[jamespowers]

First, and I mean first, look at all your local laws concerning rentals. If this is your first investment of the kind that is definitely where you need to start. I used to have rental property here in California and let me tell you---it isn't worth it because all the laws are against the landowner. I could tell horror stories about renters. Things get put up overnbight without you knowing. Carpets get removed because they like the hardwood floor better or the other way around. They paint things wierd colors and worst of all they don't PAY. I got rid of that as fast as I could after having to get the sheriff out to throw someone out after three rent free months on top of a few more in arrears.
If you can deal with all of that then put in the shower. Don't spend too much money on the property just do what needs to be done. Also consider a property manager if the property is not close to you. They can be a go between that takes care of the everyday stuff and sometimes you just don't want to deal with the renter directly.

Regards,

J

 

[artdecodame]

It's been in the same family since the 1920's and is sorely in need of some love.

I love those old bathtubs!
Slightly off topic, but if you do go with the house and need to re-paint anything Behr has a line of vintage-y hues for various eras:
http://www.behr.com/behrx/inspiration/historical_4.jsp

 

[mysterygal]

I think that is true just about everywhere, that the law is more for the renters than the owners. Make sure you've got a contract written up about what is allowed for you property. We make our renters sign an agreement that they have to check with us and get our ok for whatever they want to paint the inside. also, include in the agreement, that whatever's there, stays. If the renter doesn't like the carpet or whatever, they can just go find someplace else to live.
We've had really good luck so far with renting out our duplexes. I think you'll do just fine as long as you use common sense.
oh, also, with carpets, if your going to allow pets, make them put a sizable damage deposit for them. Most animals don't do too much damage. Cats are the worst *know from experience!* you can't get the smell out of carpet from their urine, so you literally have to rip it out and sometimes the padding underneath as well.

 

[Terry Lennox]

speaking as a guy...

I like a shower in a bathtub. That way I can sit / lay down with the shower still going. It's a nice combo. Keep both is you can.

 

[scotrace]

you can't get the smell out of carpet from their urine, so you literally have to rip it out and sometimes the padding underneath as well.

AND sand the floor underneath! It's a mess.

I own an apartment building and if I didn't have a 100% flawless, perfect tenant (a relative) I'd sell it immediately.

 

[Serial Hero]

I'm a shower guy. Like Seinfeld said, "There's nothing worse than sitting in a tub of your own filth"

As for renting; remember "Pacific Heights"?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100318/

 

[jamespowers]

I think that is true just about everywhere, that the law is more for the renters than the owners. Make sure you've got a contract written up about what is allowed for you property. We make our renters sign an agreement that they have to check with us and get our ok for whatever they want to paint the inside. also, include in the agreement, that whatever's there, stays. If the renter doesn't like the carpet or whatever, they can just go find someplace else to live.
We've had really good luck so far with renting out our duplexes. I think you'll do just fine as long as you use common sense.
oh, also, with carpets, if your going to allow pets, make them put a sizable damage deposit for them. Most animals don't do too much damage. Cats are the worst *know from experience!* you can't get the smell out of carpet from their urine, so you literally have to rip it out and sometimes the padding underneath as well.

These are all my experiences WITH a signed contract. I guess the renters couldn't read. The funniest thing is when they complain that you don't return their damage deposit when they leave. Duh! :eusa_doh:
You couldn't pay me to own rental property around here anymore. I can sleep better at night with money invested than rental property.
Relatives in my rental property? Uh no. They are probably worse int he long run. At least mine would be.

Regards,

J

 

[mysterygal]

lol glad I can laugh about it now! I watched 'Pacific Heights' right after buying the duplex...can't tell you how feaked out I was! Now that is a nightmare of a tenant!

 

[jamespowers]

As for renting; remember "Pacific Heights"?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100318/

I think that was the guy that rented from me. lol

Regards,

J

 

[mysterygal]

These are all my experiences WITH a signed contract. I guess the renters couldn't read. The funniest thing is when they complain that you don't return their damage deposit when they leave. Duh! :eusa_doh:
You couldn't pay me to own rental property around here anymore. I can sleep better at night with money invested than rental property.
Relatives in my rental property? Uh no. They are probably worse int he long run. At least mine would be.

Regards,

J

lol that's why we have a video camera to take footage of any damage that may be there. There is no way disputing that! Although, one did try, which we plain out said, 'fine, see you in court', never heard another peep. Luckily my husband is pretty good chums with a lawyer guy at the local gym...we get all the good tips

 

[jamespowers]

lol that's why we have a video camera to take footage of any damage that may be there. There is no way disputing that! Although, one did try, which we plain out said, 'fine, see you in court', never heard another peep. Luckily my husband is pretty good chums with a lawyer guy at the local gym...we get all the good tips

Yeah, I said the same thing and never heard a word after that either. The idiot's wife was using the garden hose to wash the kitchen floor! New flooring was definitely in the future. :eusa_doh: The whole renting experience has brought down my opinion of my fellow man's intelligence. I just had to sell it or I would think 90% of people were morons. lol

Regards,

J