Is a Steam Shower Worth the Expense When It’s Time to Sell?
Q. Is a steam shower worth the expense when it’s time to sell?
A. A steam shower, or a shower enhanced with a steam generator, is usually a great investment, said Paul Zweben, an associate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, in Manhattan.
“You’re at least going to get your money out of it,” he said, if not more. During showings, he added, “When you say there’s a steam shower, most people say: ‘That’s so awesome. I can’t wait to try it.’ ”
The reason, he speculated, is that so many people live frenzied lives and want to make the limited time available for pampering themselves count. “Having just five, 10 or 15 minutes where you can zone out in this beautiful eucalyptus-smelling steam in your shower is an amazing thing,” he said. (Mr. Zweben has firsthand knowledge of the pleasures of a steam shower, as he installed one in his house in upstate New York.)
Robert D. Henry, a New York architect who has designed a number of professional spas, said his residential clients are increasingly requesting steam showers when they do bathroom renovations. “At least 60 to 70 percent of the homes we’re designing now have home spas to some degree,” he said. “People want to integrate these spa features into their own bathrooms.”
Beyond having a place to relax, Mr. Henry said, “if you have asthma, allergies or dry skin, steam is very beneficial.”
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