I dont think you need a bathtub in a 55 and older development, if you live in a hot market like florida id say it probably makes no difference. While those high gloss tiles can look so beautiful, they arent practical especially as you get older. A bit of liquid on the floor can be very dangerous. Flippers do flash and not practicality

We were originally open to a total gut job but with hot market prices were way to high and didn’t have names of contractors to use like I did in NY.
Plus we loved layout and size of the villa .
Obviously if I redid it would be different materials than the flipper used.I’m trying to work with what is here
Wall opened half between kitchen an dining room
Kitchen has white shaker cabinets/new stainless appliances /sparkle white quartz countertop tops and white beveled subway tiles /changed lighting /panty shelves/pullouts in cabinets .it’s
alot of white .
Spent a lot on changing the original windows and the sliders to hurricane low e glass and hurricane front door /new ac and new water heater plus high hats in the bedrooms and den .now waiting for hunter douglas window treatments next week .
Master Bathroom is on my wish list and changing that floor but it’s a huge job .I love real wood floods but not practical here in Florida
My husband says most people

Just because a community is 55+ does not mean that someone won't enjoy soaking in a tub now and then. Thus, keep one tub.

It's all about personal use. I'm over 70 and love my bathtub for a nice soak and would

really miss it after a day in the garden. Husband doesn't use it.

About floors in the shower - if they are slippery, put a bathtub mat down. Take it up after each shower to dry - that's what we do. Get support bars installed in areas that need it, if needed.

Yes I had a soaking tub in NY used it maybe 6 times in 6 years /never for husband
For me rot use tub that’s here I need to add a hand held shower to be able to rinse off and clean the tub plus put in a tub u can easily get in and out of .
Last tub had granite around it you had area you could sit on it to get in and out or soak your feet but shower was on the same wall .
This tub is opposite side of bathroom with no ledge to sit
With the shower having such a large step down I feel the need to make the shower floor higher level with floor if we are going to stay put here as we get older .
Maybe thinking too far down road but rather do construction now and deal with it .just need a reliable contractor who does great work not one who doesn’t show up or work a full day and doesn’t use sub contractors where they blame each other for shoddy work.
Hard to find that in Florida.my contractors in NY redid a total gut townhouse and large house before all had own crew and owner was on the job
And had pride in their work.
I don’t see that here from the work I’ve done so far ( except my hurricane window company AOA impact windows )
With Covid and supply chain issues very different times

@20fleetwood this weekend theres a nor’easter hitting NY, its times like these im happy to be a Floridian since ’20, Idk if your new to Fl. but welcome.

I have put in grab bars
I put town down floor and nonslip shoes to put on plus wipe area that might get wet
It’s the huge step down from the bathroom floor to shower floor that bothers me for future .(10 years from now) and the seat is way too high for hubby 6 ft and I’m barely 5 ft not height it’s supposed to be for code

Right now tub as us is a dust collector
Need to put in new one with surround and hand held shower head to rinse tub to clean and rinse off feet /body after soak
Di
I assume it’s going to cost about 10-15,000 depending on whether I keep vanity /plumbing /floor
I have no problem picking out items and ordering it’s cost and a great contractor

Agree. Been there. Good contractors in Fl are hard to find

Best to ask neighbors - who they have used.

Not a good time to be doing any reno work in any part of the country.

We are doing a lot of talk without any pictures - which would be helpful.

The hand held shower unit is an easy install. Start with that.

I’ll send pictures
A lot of people I speak to were not happy with their contractors even those that were highly recommended to them .
The Florida contractor attitude is very different than NY

I’ll send pictures
A lot of people I speak to were not happy with their contractors even those that were highly recommended to them .
The Florida contractor attitude is very different than NY

This picture on left shows how high the step down is from floor into shower

I think that the reason the contractors down here have a different attitude is because they (the good ones) can pick and choose their jobs, they are building everywhere down here. They arent building like this in NY. We lived out in eastern LI and believe me, there were plenty of crappy contractors. We had a custom home built and we met every subcontractor, we have quality work, our builder is proud of what he builds but you have to pay for quality.

Always paid my contractor what he quoted no questions since I knew his work was exceptional and it would be done right or fixed if there were any issues
Here they don’t answer phone ( voice mail full ) and u text a million times /excuses and attitude and I would have to correct them when they made errors in what they were supposed to do . The plumbing subcontractor put faucet handles reverse/ left us with leak under faucet/ no hot water kitchen faucet to name a few issues

Try to get a pool built, same thing. We had meeting w a bunch of pool builders. We are building a pool that you would think they would be anxious to book. half of the companies dont even call you back. Its crazy, at least where we live. It comes down to the fact that its so busy for everyone, theres business everywhere. As far as the plumbers, we still have a couple of things that have to be finished but we have to wait, they are busy. The plumbers that arent busy, well theres probably a reason.

Hi - My two cents is that you should do whatever you want and not even think about resale. This is your home - go for it!

We were originally open to a total gut job but with hot market prices were way to high and didn’t have names of contractors to use like I did in NY.
Plus we loved layout and size of thus villa . Due to housing market we put in offer after we saw it and was first to view it. Couldn’t negotiate he had a 16 appts to see it and hit 4 backup offers .
I’m trying to work with what is here
But we added new hurricane windows low e and sliders and hurricane front door. Replaced ac and water heater.
Made closets to have shelves us as a pantry/added pullouts for cabinets ( last kitchen had all drawers on bottom
Took out tub guest bath added frameless glass shower with seat/new medicine cabinet and recessed light in shower /new faucet but gas that porcelain shiny floor can’t get it wet.
Put in high hats bedrooms and den with dimmers .Replaced lighting dining room and kitchen and added ceiling fan kitchen . Did closet systems master walk-in closet and hall of closets
Made a hall closet a linen closet
Finally getting window treatments in another week ( had to wait for the windows which took about 7 months
And had to get HOA approval and permit etc.
I agree about changing shower to be level with floor .I always put in grab bars
All my bathrooms .
My husband thought this place was move in ready haha

Answer to your original question - it will not impact resale value in a senior type of community to not have a bath. If anything more people will be attracted to a great walk in shower of some kind.

My parents retired to such a community and she used the bathtub as an additional closet :-). Her neighbor was trapped in the tub for two days when she couldn't extricate herself.

A step down shower that you describe is definitely something that should go - both for yourself and in the event you ever sell. Your bathroom doesn't have to look institutional but it should definitely be designed with view to aging in place - grab bars and sufficient space to use a walker to get to the toilet.

You might also consider at least putting a plug behind the toilet so that you can get a washlet. It gets increasingly desirable as people have operations or conditions which impact their mobility - that is not just an issue to get into a shower.

At least in my experience most seniors don't need a wheelchair to get around their home even towards the end. My father was 99 when he died and he only needed a wheel chair if he was going to have to walk some distance but he was able to get to the bathroom with the aid of a walker although he did have a caretaker for his final two years.

Thank you .I was thinking of moving washer and dryer inside from garage to put in space where tub is with doors in front or put move it where shower is now next to a linen closet could combine spaces and put new shower where tub is located . I would need to find a contractor I can trust to do it right .
What is a washlet? Bidet?
I don’t understand the popularity of the free standing tubs /look great but to get in and out 😩Ny I had a soaking tub with granite surround to sit on and slide in and out and help if u just wanted to soak feet and wasn’t very deep .
My husband died laundry and doesn’t mind garage but that’s not for me if I needed to take over that job down the road
If anyone can suggest a fantastic contractor does own work on the job in Delray Beach FL area send me information please. I know it’s very busy here in Florida with people relocating but good contractors are always busy

Your best bet is first to find a good interior designer, Why? He or she will have the SOURCES, including a good contractor. Any part of Florida now is a minefield of delays, availability of sub contractors, materials _ all of it. Just as true in NY, but exacerbated in Florida. Also complicated by timing issue, that restrict remodeling in communities to" non snowbird months"

I would advise ZERO "on your own as the gc " adventure PROJECTS"

Does not matter Del Ray, Jupiter, Sarasota, Tampa, you name it. Don't go it alone.

I agree look for a good ID and they will have a contractor to work with. As for the tub I am 75 and still use my tub everynight so no tub no sale for me . I would suggest talking to a realtor that handles your complex to see what sells if resale is something you will be doing soon . If not do what you like who the heck knows what the next guy wants.

You asked about the washlet toilet. Toto owns the trademarked name. If you believe the reviews, it will change your life. They originated in Japan. You can get a new toilet that has this as an integral feature, or you can buy a toilet seat that can be added to an existing toilet. They have to be plumbed and electrical service needs to be installed. They are units that provide pre-warmed seats with warm water jetted wash and warmed drying features. It's supposed to make you feel clean, relaxed and refreshed.

I think that I may have to add one of these at my next home.

Like a bidet ? I’ve had regular Toto toilets in my previous houses .they are the best