I think the fireplace issue will be region specific. I have a fireplace, and I never use it, so I wouldn't care if I had one again (although I'd probably lean towards not having one given the maintenance). I would be surprised if the upgrades you are considering would do much for resale or helping the home sell faster. I suspect it will depends on the market you are in, and what buyers expect.

We are in So. CA, so somewhat similar climate. Our house has 3 indoor and 1 outdoor fireplace. We have used the outdoor fireplace and one indoor fireplace during parties for ambiance/looks. I would have bought the house without the fireplaces. They might come in handy during the winter if we lost power for a long enough period ... but we don't keep enough firewood on hand to actually keep them going for that long!

The plantation shutters would be of no value to me and I might actually offer less money if their removal might damage the window trim, etc. I hate plantation shutters and wood blinds, and removed 70+ wood blinds when we bought this house.

I would value a soaking tub and "air bubble" tub exactly the same, as we aren't tub people. I would deduct for an old jacuzzi tub that I would want to take out.

In 10 year the tub and shutters will be "old" and probably not have much value to any buyer.

I would do improvements for yourself. You think you might sell a few years down the road and then you end up in the house for 20 years ... decorate/remodel for YOU and not for some hypothetical future owner!

Same climate So CA. Fireplaces do add value for resale. Phoenix winters are cold, and the warmth of the fire just adds cozy ambiance. I'd keep the fireplace. We have 2 outdoor, and 3 indoor. They are all used often, mostly in Fall - Spring, but the outdoor ones are even used in summer on cool evenings. We enjoy wine with our neighbors around them.

I agree with the others. Nobody wants to pay extra for somebody els's idea of luxury.

As a long time resident in Phoenix, I thought plantation shutters, fireplace and swimming pool are expected for houses above certain price point.

Plantation shutters in Phoenix area are not the same as these old style plantation shutters found in many houses such as in mid-west. They are gorgeous, timeless, expensive and have great insulation value. They were the first thing I added if they did not come with the house.

To me plantation shutter is a must have for Phoenix weather. We use dual pan windows, sun/solar screens and plantation shutters to block heat in the summer, it makes big difference in AC consumption. In winter, we remove sun/solar screens to let the sun in. During winter, we use fireplace in every house we have owned. We have two fireplaces in our current home.

I cannot comment on air bubble as I am not a tub person. To me, it is a waste of money and a maintenance liability.

I also love plantation shutters, but visited an open house yesterday that had them on all the windows, some blocking beautiful water views. Yes they were turned open but would have looked nicer without the shutters. I think some windows do better without them.

I believe each window covering should be specific for the window it covers.

We do not use plantation shutter for our large kitchen window since it would block view to the back yard. In addition, we have a large covered patio outside of the kitchen, so blocking heat in that room is not a major concern.

In our 100-120 plus degree summer heat, we want to save cooling cost. Years ago I did comparison, among different window coverings, plantation shutter was the top choice in term of insulation, durability, maintenance and style-look (yes, to us). We paid high quality, well made plantation shutters. So far we have been extremely happy with our choice.

I am surprised at the CA and AZ homes with multiple fireplaces! Do you not have furnaces or something? I live in WI and have one fireplace (gas). I wish I had a second one in the basement, because it gets COLD here.

The fireplace is the only thing that made me take notice. I do look for one when buying, but I have always bought in climates that have cold winters. Not sure if I would find it important in AZ. The bubble tub and shutters sound like a personal thing and would not add value to me. If I dislike them, it could deter me from buying.

handmethathammer, our house in the northeast didn't have as many fireplaces as our CA house and it was larger. We didn't build the house and I'd have more flexibility with furniture without a few of the fireplaces. Three are wood burning and gas. The fourth is gas with electric switch. We have a full central AC and heat system, so the fireplaces are mostly for looks/ambiance. No idea why the people who built the house needed or wanted all these fireplaces!!

handmethathammer, :-) Have you ever gazed at the forced air vent and raised a glass to toast a special occasion? A fireplace is not NEEDED in Southern CA or AZ, but it does provide a romantic ambiance. I think the fireplace takes us away. Sort of like indoor citrus trees do for people in cold winters. Excuse me while I go pick some citrus and avocados outside... :-)

"Remove" a fireplace? What kind of fireplace, a through-the-wall prefabricated gas or electric thing or a wood-burning fireplace with a chimney? (In old houses every room had a fireplace as a source of warmth. With the addition of central heating, people closed these off -- bricked up, whatever.) In RE terms -- and to the assessor -- a fireplace is an asset. You might block it, but leave it available to be uncovered by a future buyer.

I have nice wood shutters in one large window in our house and consider them an asset -- no need for fabric 'window treatments' that are dust catchers and subject to the rot/replace cycle. (I do remember the horror of 'Venetian Blinds' from my childhood home! Those -- and jalousie windows -- were created without thought to cleaning.)

I enjoy a bath. (DH prefers the shower.) My UltraBain air jet tub is 14 years old -- zero problems -- blows itself dry after each use. I would not invest in a huge, takes-forever-to-fill whirlpool tub with tendency to form mold in the tubing.

No matter what a climate is like, I think many people associate fireplaces with the feeling of home and if you remove it, you would be removing an architectural feature. In many, many homes around the country (even in cold climates) fireplaces are not there for practical purposes (as they are generally not a very efficient way of heating a home), but still, many people like having them there. I used to live near Palm Springs, CA and our starter home had a fireplace. It was not necessary but it was nice to once in a while grab a Duraflame log and have a romantic evening.

I've lived in Southern CA all my life, yes we have fireplaces, lots of them. I've been known to open the doors from the heat of the fireplace, they are not for warmth, well not physical warmth, just the warm cozy feeling.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I really appreciate your advice.

'...a fireplace is an asset. You might block it, but leave it available to be uncovered by a future buyer.'

This is what I think also.

I removed plantation shudders--very expensive wooden ones--after a few years in the house. They were beautiful and I expected to like them. I got tired of blocked views once I landscaped to my liking, the shudders could not be fully opened without moving furniture about--just the slats. They were a pain in the patoot to keep dust free. As for a bubbly tub, I would envision germs breeding in those moist openings and would never sit in one. Just me.

I'm surprised no one has asked what floor plan flaw would be remedied by taking out the FP. W/o knowing this, it is hard to advise if removing the FP is a good idea or not. But, in general, a FP is an asset, one that I assign anywhere from $1000 - $5000 depending on the price point of the home. So, yes, you will lose value and marketability by losing the FP. But, as I mentioned, if it greatly enhances the floor plan somehow by removing it, then it could be worth it.

Forget about the jetted tub. Most break soon afterwards anyhow.

And as far as plantation shutters, just look at the competition... it will be a regional thing. And as Azmom posted, it sounds like your competition may have them. Remember though, that it probably will not make your home more profitable, but may make it more marketable.

thanks for all the comments everyone....we did indeed remove the fireplace which allowed for more space for our TV that would not fit, plus other entertainment equipment etc. Here is the new area with conceptual shelves drawn in.

In this area, here is what that stuff is worth on an appraisal

Fireplace = $3000

Shutters = 0 (ZERO)

Air bubble tub = 0 (ZERO)

Median price house in this county is $435,000. Less than 11% are less than $225K. 25% are $1,000,000 ish. (Most expensive county in the state due to 2nd homes on the Lake.