“Will a steam shower increase my home’s resale value?” If you’re currently thinking about installing a steam shower in your bathroom, this question may have crossed your mind. According to Zillow, the answer is yes. A new report from the real estate firm found that home listings that mentioned steam showers sold for 31% more than their expected value. Of the 4.6 million home sales across the country that were on the market in 2017 and 2018, those mentioning “steam shower” in their listing descriptions earned their sellers one of the highest premium among over 100 listing terms analyzed. Only professional appliances (32%) and steam ovens (34%) ranked higher.
Of course, those of us at ThermaSol are not surprised by Zillow’s findings. We’ve long known that steam showers can not only help boost your overall health and well-being, but also boost your home’s price tag when it comes time to sell. Realtors and other home experts have repeatedly told us that a steam shower can yield great returns for homeowners. Paul Zweben, a Manhattan-based associate broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, in Manhattan, once noted to the New York Times that a steam shower is typically a great investment. For one thing, potential homebuyers tend to be impressed when they see a steam shower in a home.
“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.’ ”
As an increasing number of homebuyers are becoming more conscious of wellness and seek in-home retreats from the tech-heavy, sensory overload of daily life, we can expect steam showers to gain even more, well, steam in real estate! In fact, steam digital showers have steadily been gaining ground as a profitable listing feature. Between 2016 and 2017, for example, Zillow found that home listings that mentioned steam showers sold for 29% more than their expected value. It will be interesting to see what next year will bring.
If you’re considering adding steam to your bathroom, you can at least put your mind at ease, knowing that you will get a nice return on your investment. Sit back, relax and release some steam!
