Do you need 2 bathrooms for a rental?

[Christopher G.]

Hey BP, looking for advice on how much it matters with buying 2 full baths over a 1.5 in SFH for long term rentals. There are many deals of SFH with 3/1.5 but my property manager/realtor thinks they won't rent. Obviously she would know more than me but interested in your experience with owning and renting out SFH with less than 2 bathrooms. My thought: I'm currently renting a 3/1.5 overseas and have 2 young daughters and this is absolutely no problem as they still take baths and we don't need two showers. I assume there are plenty of families in the same boat. Thoughts? thanks Chris

[Charlie MacPherson]

@Christopher G. Individual markets may vary, but around here, there is FAR more difference between 1 and 1.5 baths than there is between 1.5 and 2 baths.

Think of it this way.  The family is sitting around watching football (American or European football - doesn't matter).

Daughter is in the full bath, plastering on the war paint (makeup) for a big date and she's taking her sweet time, as daughters are wont to do.  

Dad has been chugging a few (or several) beers and REALLY needs to pee.

If there's only one bath, Dad is going to pee in the backyard.  Neighbors call the police.  Dad gets arrested for peeing in public.  Dad has to register as a sex offender.  Dad's job  as an elementary school teacher is over.  Dad's retirement plan goes with it.  Dad is now unemployed and broke.  The family can't afford your rental any more and you have them evicted.  With an eviction on their record and a sex offender registration, nobody will rent to them.  Now they all live in a homeless shelter.  Their lives spiral out of control.  Kicked out of the homeless shelter, they spend the rest of their days walking from one soup kitchen to the next.  Tired, bedraggled and hopeless, Dad eventually jumps off a bridge to end it all in a watery grave.

OR...you could have had that extra half bath and none of that would have happened.

Doesn't that seem like a better option?