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PRIMARY BATH REMODEL: 8 REASONS TO START NOW

April 24, 2022

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An Updated Primary Bath Adds Value to Your Home, and Much More

A luxury primary bath with shower and soaking tub

There are many reasons homeowners decide to begin a primary bath remodel. And for today’s high-end homebuyers, an updated primary bath, like the spectacular one pictured above from my Italian Country Estate in Montecito’s Ennisbrook listing, has become a must-have. But a good return on investment is not the only reason to redo that sacred space.

Just spend a few moments daydreaming about a primary bathroom where you can indulge all your senses. A place to pamper yourself in a soaking tub. A place designed in your personal style. A place to enjoy handsome bathroom countertops and awesome new hardware. There are so many good reasons to start your primary bath update now. Here are 8 to consider:

  • Primary Bathroom Remodel Means Good ROI
    In Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2021, an upscale bathroom remodel came in at 60.6% of the cost at resale in California. The average amount spent on such a task was $84,266, and the homeowner received an additional $51,091 on the sale of the home.

    There’s a good reason for that ROI. Buyers want to walk into the primary bath and see a finished, relaxing space. Some of the desired features buyers are looking for include a separate shower and soaking tub like the picture above from my Italian County Estate listing. Luxury touches like a soaking tub and heated floor are extremely popular today.

    Just consider that the primary bath is part of your primary suite retreat, worthy of the best. It’s important to remember that your ROI on any renovation project depends on work quality and material choices. So, I always suggest you do your due diligence and research before you start tearing down any walls.

  • Your Needs Have Changed
    As you move through life changes, your bathroom needs can change, too. Whether you’re getting married, adding to the family, becoming empty nesters, or are simply excited about buying your first home, you need a primary bath that suits every phase of your life. Remodeling the primary bath to the room of your dreams is a great way to start the next chapter of your life, whatever that chapter may be.
A spa room off the primary bathroom is a great investment
  • Update the Look
    Putting your personal stamp on the primary bathroom is a perfect reason to remodel.

    Get rid of boring tile and outdated light fixtures. Bring in the trends, colors, and materials that reflect your personality and create a bathroom you’ll want to linger in. I recommend you go neutral and consider a style that will stand the test of time. Consider including an additional spa area like the one in my Ennisbrook listing pictured above.

  • Redesign for Better Function
    A primary bath remodel can be just what you need to fix any functionality features that currently drive you crazy. Today’s primary bathroom should be a cozy extension of your home. You don’t have to be stuck with an awkward layout and poor storage. The right bathroom remodeling contractor can show you how to rework the space you already have.

  • Make It More Efficient
    Your old bathroom may be costing you both financially and emotionally. There’s a wide range of water-saving toilets, faucets, and showerheads on the market today. Many of these fixtures can save as much as 20% of your daily water usage. And then there’s your old ventilation system, which also may not be as efficient as it should. Updating the airflow will prevent the growth of mold and mildew too.

  • Repair and Prevent Damage
    Maybe your bathroom is showing a bit of wear and tear from everyday usage. Or perhaps you had a water leak that left its destructive reminder. No matter what kind of damage it has seen, a primary bath remodel will erase all signs of it. The best part of remodeling to repair the damage is you can replace old materials with newer versions that stand up better to wear and tear. Advanced water barriers and moisture-resistant paint options are a couple of the features that will give you a new look and protect your bathroom’s interior for years to come.

  • Safety Concerns
    Whether you have small children to consider or elderly needs, a primary bathroom remodel can make safety a priority. Non-slip floors and anti-scald shower valves will make a bathroom safe for a growing family. But when it’s time to retire, adding barrier-free showers and grab bars will keep you safe throughout your golden years. Plus, you don’t have to worry about safety features making your bathroom look institutional. Today’s fixtures blend in beautifully with any decor.

  • You Deserve It
    Sometimes the best reason to remodel a primary bathroom is simply that you want to. You deserve to have your dream bathroom become a reality. A spa shower or soaking tub will turn your bathroom into a haven. The bottom line is you deserve to turn your primary bathroom into a sanctuary.

I recommend you hire a general contractor to help you manage all aspects of the job. Check out this list of leading contractors in our area from Houzz, the place on the internet to find and hire the right design and construction professionals. Go ahead and make the primary bath remodel investment that will add to your quality of life now and pay off when it’s time to move.

Meantime, I have access to several amazing listings with exquisite bathrooms in any of Santa Barbara’s upscale communities listed on my comprehensive website. Please call me at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com for a complimentary consultation regarding your real estate needs.

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- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

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- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

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“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch