We've found a house that has a lot of great things, location, style, yard, tons of basement storage, 5 bedrooms, etc. The major problem with the house, however, is that it has a massive master suite on the main floor. By massive, I mean massive. 700 before walk in closet before bathroom. It's crazy! All together it has to be over 1000square feet!
Would we be nuts to use the master as a family room and crafting room? We would eventually convert it into something else, but the house needs some remodeling...the kitchen is small, and this master with the foyer is tons of wasted space. I want the main floor to be a hub of family activities, with maybe a small in-law arrangement... But we love the upstairs and basement, and the main floor is a great size, it just need some walls to be moved, and the giant soaker tub to be removed! The upstairs bedrooms are large, with the old master being 17x 12. There is a roof top terrace area off of it that could be built on for a proper master bath/closet, etc.
In fact, the master on the main floor has doors leading to the big deck with hot tub. It could easily just be the family room going to the deck. The walk in closet could then be a crafting storage room. It has tons of built in cabinets. I'm just wondering if it would just be too weird until we can do some remodeling. Or if it wouldn't be too noticeable once we removed dress mirrors, etc. It would make a great activity/ family area for the kids. I mean, seriously, it's 700 square feet and the closet is another 150-200!
The house is super cheap, so we'd have funds to do what we wanted later with cash.
I guess I'm trying to figure out if it's crazy to buy a house you need to remodel. The bones of this thing appear good. It's by a train, and forest preserve, and taxes are cheap.
It's a giant house, way more than we actually want: 3541 above grade, and then there is a full basement with a giant rec area and an exercise room, with fireplace.
Out of curiosity, I added up the main level rooms,and master is the size of all the other rooms added together! But it's a massive amount of space, almost what we currently have on two levels. I could never complain about space again! There is also a giant walk in attic space for upstairs storage. Hubby was saying we could turn it into another bath or sewing room. It's an old house that had a massive addition out on it a few decades ago. The floor plan just sucks. I mean, really, why a 1000 square foot master? It's nuts! It's like a private live in arrangement, not a master. Maybe it was built with that in mind.....mmmm.
Doris day! the house is three blocks from the train. It's super cheap because it's further from the city. It's two towns over from where we currently live, and the further from expressways you go, the cheaper things become. So a similar house where I currently live would literally be double the cost.
If you have the funds to do the remodel, then go for it! If you love everything else about the house then I don't see a problem with it.
Use the room for whatever you want. The room police aren't going to arrest you for it. The house sounds enormous. I can't imagine how long it would take to clean.
Well, it sounds like it already has a rec area, so no, I wouldn't change a fabulous, huge master suite. I'd embrace it. :D We have a big home too (3400sf) and plan on remodeling so we have a big master and bath too. Sounds like you found the house I want! :D
I'm a big believer in making use of the rooms in your home fit your family's lifestyle, so long as it doesn't get too weird (making it hard to sell later.) So I would use the space however you best see fit.
BUT...
I highly recommend you live there for a bit, at least six months, before making any major, structural renovations. It's amazing how much you learn about a space, the ebb and flow, what works and doesn't work, by actually living there for a while and figuring it out.
ETA - you realize that a 1,000 square feet is 33 feet by 33 feet or 50 feet by 20 feet - are you sure it's that big???
______________________
If the house is within your budget and you can afford the remodeling to make it "yours" - go for it.
Watch the show "Property Brothers" and see what they do with "fixer-uppers"....I would also invest in a CAD application for your computer so you can draw out your plans and then go to an architect to get it all done.
Make sure the county will allow the changes as well...that's another good reason to have an architect - let them go over the plans with the city/county for approval.
Good luck!
I've got to admit, I've got some house envy. We live in a co-op that is just over 900sq ft. total. If you can stand to deal with all that a re-model requires, then by all means do it. The house will be yours, and you can do with it what you will, so long as the local codes allow.
Best,
F. B.
One of our family members did that - the master suite had great closets for storage of games and toys, the large bathroom was the main bathtub/jacuzzi setting for the kids (made supervision of bath time easier when one parent was always nearby), and the large room was close to the kitchen etc., and it kept the mess out of the living room. They didn't have many bedrooms upstairs, just 2 large ones, so when the kids got older and they didn't want to share a room, the parents moved back downstairs to the master suite.
If you love the house, the location, the school district, the neighborhood, and you have money to remodel and there's a decent bedroom for you elsewhere (and you don't mind sharing a bathroom upstairs if that's how it works out), why not?
If it's an old home, you need to make sure the addition was permitted. If it wasn't permitted, you will have a ton of problems. Check with building codes and permitting departments before you purchase.
If you are going to purchase, will you live in the home while it's being reconfigured or will you stay in your present home? Remodeling can be VERY stressful. Make sure you are up for it. If I remember correctly, in reading prior posts of yours, your husband is out of town frequently. This would be in your hands the whole time. Are you ready for that?
Others may not understand and tell you you can do with as you please. It's not that simple. There are building codes and many other things to consider when remodeling a home. There are also limits. That roof-top terrace? It might exceed county limits on square footage to land to build ratio. Make sure you check that out.
S.
It's your house - set it up any way you choose. There is no written rule that the parents have to sleep in the master suite. If you want to use it as a rec room, go for it. If the rest of the house works for you and there is another room that you'd be happy sleeping in, there isn't any reason not to do it.
That sounds like it has amazing potential! If you're the kind of person who likes to tackle big projects, I'd go for it. Would you be living in a construction zone, or could this remodel happen before you move out of your home? I couldn't tolerate a large-scale remodel while living in my house, but if you can, that's great.
I would love to see the listing or pictures!
A master bedroom almost the same size as my entire 2 story house? That would be heaven!
That's even bigger than our first 1 bedroom apartment!
I'd say if that makes more sense for your family do it! It's crazy to have a master that big. Use it as a family area, great idea. Make it YOURS!!!
Why is the house super cheap? Is it because the layout is SO strange? Because it's by a train, and you can hear the train all day long?
It's not crazy to buy a house to remodel, but the house needs to make SENSE so that it can be re-sold.
As large a remodel as you're talking is going to be HARD on your family. The kids don't even get out of the house every day to go to school. It will last a long time and YOU will be the one dealing with workers day in and day out. (I'm thinking of Shelley Long and "The Money Pit" movie...)
Instead, just buy a house that doesn't have all these issues. Don't you have enough to do in your life without the added migraine of a major renovation?
If you have the funds and the perserverance to do remodeling on such a large scale, go for it.
I love my main floor large master and bath. No way would I give up my spot.
That said... I can't see what you are talking about, nor do I fully understand. I would question why this special house is so "cheap" . Red flag for me if it's below the MLS or other listings.
For me... I would not buy a house with all intentions of remodel. Remodel is just not my thing.
We've built 2 houses ( HELL) and right now were going through a huge remodel ( HELL) which we didn't plan just now in our daughters condo due to an accident and water leak.
I never want to do this again. I HATE remodeling. All the red tape and over seeing supervisors nonstop. Ugh
I love my downstairs master and in no way would I make my huge master a family area. The master bedroom suite and bath is MY space.
If you love the house, have the funds on hand to remodel and are ok with turning your schedule upside down... Go have fun .
It's not something I would do. Maybe you have much more patience than I do. Dealing with children is 1 thing. Dealing with builders, remodelers etc is another game on its own.
Good luck
I don't consider 3500 sq feet giant at all but I don't see why you can't make the master a FR/playroom... I'd consider takign the door off and/or making the opening bigger (if it's not already much bigger than a regular door) to make it feel less like a bedroom. That probably wouldn't be expensive. So sounds fine but remember the heating bill for a larger house... For a family of 5, I think between 3k and 4k feet is very normal but I'd want to make sure it's well built so heat isn't escaping and all given you're in Chicago.
At the rate you are going, would it be "cheaper" to build than to renovate? If you make all the changes you say it would be wiser to live elsewhere. Any schedule date for construction you have to add at least another six months to it for completion. Can you live this for a year?
As for the cheap price I would want to know how long it has been on the market and how many times the price had been reduced. You can get that from your local MLS realtor.
Main flow master bedroom would be great but since you have little children I would probably think of it as a future room when you can't climb the steps. The soaking tub is great for a hard day at work a time to just chill out.
If you should go ahead and buy, please check with the local building code personnel about the changes you wish to make otherwise you will be tearing down what you build and be wasting money. A few neighbors have had that happen and one or two had to go before the building committee and ask for variances for what they had built or they would have had to remove them. Your home maybe your home but it still has to "fit" into the community.
Good luck to you.
the other S.
If it's worth it to you, then go for it! Your HOME is not just where you lay your head at night. It's where you LIVE. It's your sanctuary, the place where you freely express who you are.
It would be your house...you can do with it as you please!
Sounds like a good plan.
That sounds amazing!! You should by it! What is the total square footage of the house?
Sounds like a neat house. We bought our current home, and remodeled the entire thing. Main floor total re-do. So no, you wouldn't be crazy if you liked the location enough. That is why we bought our home.
Fanged Bunny! Me too! I have a townhome that is about 870 Sq ft.
Anyhoo, do you, J. G.!
I think that your home will be the hangout for the kids. I would love that in itself.
we were in a small home that had 3 bedrooms (one small one on the first floor) and 1.5 bathrooms (powder on the first full bathroom on the second) The master bedroom was obviously the largest room. We have 2 girls and they shared the 2nd upstairs bedroom and the downstairs bedroom was a toyroom/craftroom. We were given the option to buy and thought really hard about it. If we wanted a 3rd child where would they go? I really couldn't see little kids on the first floor by themselves. We decided that IF we had another and were still there the BEST option would be to give the kids the master and we would take the smaller bedroom. We decided not to buy it because it was not ideal and never had to deal with it.
I am all for using rooms as alternative space than they were intended to. if you need to or if you want to. As long as this HUGE house has a suitable master I do not see the issue. the house we are in now has the formal dining room converted into a craft room. We use what is supposed to be the living room as a family room and the family room as a sort of rec room. (I understand the rec room to be more of an East coast thing but I use it in the West). I personally find the "formal" living and dining to be a waste of space and would not consider buy a house that had them and could not use the space for something else.
sure, why not? if your upstairs 'master' is big enough to suit you (and a rooftop terrace??? squeeee!!!!) then you might as well use the monster downstairs space for something else. but it actually sounds as if it might be better used as the in-law space if that's something you're going to want on your main floor.
who cares if it's weird? if it works, it works.
i'm always amazed at how much focus the folks here put on resale. even in our little starter home we made the changes that made it work for US. we turned two of our three small bedrooms into one bigger one, and when we sold it they promptly put that wall back up and turned it back into a three. we're currently building out one of our spare Ooms to be our master closets. it's going to make the entry into our master bedroom odd, but we're going to love it.
make your house what you want it to be. you've certainly got the space.
i'm tickled for you that you've found one that seems to have it all!
how big is your yard?
but really, the most important question is WHY GET RID OF A GIANT SOAKER TUB????
:D
khairete
S. the bubble bath queen
So the house is about 3500 sq ft and one room of that is about 1000 sq ft? My house is 3600 sq ft, one story. It's big but I've seen bigger for sure. If one room is taking up almost a third of the entire house, how big is the kitchen, the bathrooms, bedrooms? Those are things you will want to consider, especially as your kids get older and spend less time in the "family room."
Main floor masters are the best. Sounds amazing as is. I, personally, would not change a thing. It is a sanctuary! Beautiful, relaxing space for you and hubby. A hot tub out a door. OMG how incredible. Enjo!
Wow! That master suite is bigger than my entire house! I can't even imagine..
sounds exactly what the room should be used for!
As long as you are happy having any of the upstairs rooms or the basement as your master bedroom then go for it!
