Los Angeles

[JG1]

I have a dedicated built-in sauna in my house, near my master bathroom and master walk-in closet.  It's the size of a small walk-in closet, fits maybe 3-4 people.

I am planning a remodel of both master bath and closet, so I need to think through the sauna thing.  As in, is it worth keeping, or better to expand the closet size by getting rid of it?  (Don't see a need to, and less practical design-wise to expand size of master bath.)

Specifically, I would like to hear from any agents and appraisers specifically, but also any potential buyers or others, as to your opinion of whether this sauna adds value for a resale (vs. a larger walk-in closet).  Frankly, I don't use the sauna, but myself and everyone else who sees it remarks that it's neat, and when I saw an article recently in the WSJ real estate section about how saunas were the latest in/trendy thing in houses, this certainly gave me a little pause about getting rid of it, since I am not planning to live here forever, and therefore must always be mindful of resale implications, as well as my personal preferences.

As best I can recall, it was not noted on appraisal as a positive or negative factor, but would be curious to hear from any appraisers as to how they handle saunas in an appraisal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704774604576035570758100808.html

TIA

[SCGUY]

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JG1 wrote:

I have a dedicated built-in sauna in my house, near my master bathroom and master walk-in closet.  It's the size of a small walk-in closet, fits maybe 3-4 people.

I am planning a remodel of both master bath and closet, so I need to think through the sauna thing.  As in, is it worth keeping, or better to expand the closet size by getting rid of it?  (Don't see a need to, and less practical design-wise to expand size of master bath.)

Specifically, I would like to hear from any agents and appraisers specifically, but also any potential buyers or others, as to your opinion of whether this sauna adds value for a resale (vs. a larger walk-in closet).  Frankly, I don't use the sauna, but myself and everyone else who sees it remarks that it's neat, and when I saw an article recently in the WSJ real estate section about how saunas were the latest in/trendy thing in houses, this certainly gave me a little pause about getting rid of it, since I am not planning to live here forever, and therefore must always be mindful of resale implications, as well as my personal preferences.

As best I can recall, it was not noted on appraisal as a positive or negative factor, but would be curious to hear from any appraisers as to how they handle saunas in an appraisal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704774604576035570758100808.html

TIA

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Sure seems like people go nuts for big closets...I know that was an issue for us in our searches and remodeling efforts over the years.  Sauna sounds like one of those things that is neat but most people will rarely use.

[JG1]

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Sure seems like people go nuts for big closets...I know that was an issue for us in our searches and remodeling efforts over the years.  Sauna sounds like one of those things that is neat but most people will rarely use.

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That has certainly been my experience so far, but the WSJ article calling this out as a trend / hot thing makes me thing twice about removing it.  Thanks for your input.

[hoping2buy]

My user name notwithstanding, I am no longer even looking.  But I think the answer might depend on what type of house in what type of neighborhood with what type of anticipated buyers you have.  If you're in the Hollywood Hills with a bachelor pad par excellence, a sauna might be a plus.  In a family neighborhood where future buyers are families with children, they would probably prefer closet space.  While looking I've seen  "trends" like outdoor pizza ovens, firepits, a built in sheet presser (!), and now-antiquated built-in TV systems that are more than useless to me and will cost money to tear out.   But I've never heard anyone say "if I buy this house, the first thing I'll do is get rid of some of the storage space."

[abenjami]

Me personally, I would love to have the sauna.

But if the main concern is resale value, go for the bigger walk-in closet that appels to the wifey's.

[SCGUY]

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hoping2buy wrote:

My user name notwithstanding, I am no longer even looking.  But I think the answer might depend on what type of house in what type of neighborhood with what type of anticipated buyers you have.  If you're in the Hollywood Hills with a bachelor pad par excellence, a sauna might be a plus.  In a family neighborhood where future buyers are families with children, they would probably prefer closet space.  While looking I've seen  "trends" like outdoor pizza ovens, firepits, a built in sheet presser (!), and now-antiquated built-in TV systems that are more than useless to me and will cost money to tear out.   But I've never heard anyone say "if I buy this house, the first thing I'll do is get rid of some of the storage space."

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The outdoor wood fired pizza oven "trend" brings back memories haha...

[lost-angels]

Closets get used everyday. Saunas seem more like a luxury. As a potential buyer, a large closet would be more of a selling point for me than a sauna.  

[hg213]

More closet space.