Is No Bathtub Really A Deal Breaker?

[Abdul John]

I am planning a remodel of the condo I currently live in, with plans to rent it in about 4 years. Its a 2 bdrm 1.5 bath ground level. The complex is townhouse styled with about 200 units. There are some families, but the majority of the residents are working couples or retirees. 

I have done a bath room remodel before and did a tile tub surround. I personally hate bathtubs, and especially shower curtains. I would much rather remove it and put in a fancy tile shower with maybe a hotel style frosted glass partition. The area is large enough that someone could still wash a baby inside a plastic tub if needed. My questions is how much of a risk on resale, and renters would it be to not have a tub at all?

[Roger Vi]

I removed my tub for a stand up shower a couple years ago. It was a hard choice since historically people have always considered a house with no tub a deal breaker for families with kids.

After asking many professionals in the area, the general consensus seems to be that stand up showers are starting to be more acceptable and many are even starting to prefer it. I still ask this question quite often and I have yet to hear someone say it's a bad idea to remove the tub. Only person that ever told me not to was my dad and old internet articles (pre 2005).