Bigger bath or bedroom?

[Craig Palmateer]

Hi all, Is it more important generally to increase the size of the bathroom or bedroom? 3/1 ranch, smallest br is 7'x11.5'. Bath is 8'x8', I could squeeze a couple feet out of the bath to increase the bedroom size. It would be cramped, but doable. Not really sure what's best? This is a flip first, rental if necessary. Only one bath in the house, so I'm not sure I want to cheat it, but the br is tiny and currently has no closet. Any thoughts? Thanks

[Patti Robertson]

@Craig Palmateer - Not having a second bath is going to be a problem for flip.  I'm not in your market but I would suggest you check the comps of 3/1 sales and then 2/2 sales.,  If the small bedroom adjoins a bedroom and has a wall that has water in it, it may be better to make it a 2/2 with a fabulous master suite.  your target buyer obviously won't be a family, but you are limiting yourself by having only one bath also.  Have a 2/2 house would appeal to young professionals jsut starting out and to empty nesters.  

Just my two cents.

As a rental my advice would be completely different.  I'd suggest not moving any walls because that expense will not yield you anymore rent.  It's just not important enough a change either way.  If the floor plan allows, I'd try to steal a little space from an adjoining room to make a closet in the small bedroom if you can.  Otherwise, you really have a 2/1 plus office.  If it doesn't rent quickly as a 3/1, advertising it as a 2/1 plus office is an advertising tecnhique that sometimes works, depending on the location.

Good luck. I hope this advice helps.