One of the questions I'm often asked as a REALTOR® is, "What is a half bathroom?" Recently, the Southern California Multiple Listing Service incorporated a new set of input fields to their system. And with this change, I'm sure I'll be hearing the question more often. Here's the definition direct from SoCal MLS:
"In most parts of the country, a full bathroom includes a toilet, a sink, a bathtub and a shower. A combination bath and shower counts as two fixtures. If the bathroom has only three fixtures it is a 3/4 bath. If it has only two fixtures it is a 1/2 bath, and if it has only one (bath, shower or toilet) it is a 1/4 bath."
As you search for a home in Orange County, California you may wonder how many bathrooms a home actually has. The MLS printout will show total number of bathrooms and how many bathrooms of each type are in the home. I offer this information to assist you in your search. If you have questions about bathrooms or other important features, I'm here to help!
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Marlene Bridges, REALTOR® 800 777-1775
South Orange County Real Estate Website
Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog
SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®
President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce
Marlene is a highly experienced South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.
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This one little differentiation can also create a tiny problem when entered into certain system, I sadly discovered. Some databases prefer decimals and some systems have a hard time digesting fractions.
Hi Chuck - Yes, I've had the same problem myself. Our new system asks for how many total bathrooms and then gives a field sof 1/2, 1/2, 3/4, and full. It's an attempt to clarify. Hope it works :-)
I'm sure your local buyers will quickly get used to the new way of counting bathrooms, but I can certainly see problems for people moving to the area from an area that doesn't count by 1/4's. I see people here all the time put in a sink and a toilet as a full bath, I can't imagine how many more you get with the "NEW MATH"
Good luck,
Hi Todd - Yes, I think the new system actually gives clearer information.
Good question
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
A lot of studios here have showers only and they still list as a full bathroom. I guess because we don't have a such thing as 3/4 or shower only.
If a home has half a toilet, half a sink, half a tub and half a shower, that would be 1/2 bath...but you might not want to put an offer on it. ;)
Way to break it down for your OC clients, Marlene.
Marlene - Very informative post.
In the Houston & Spring, TX area, some homes here have a shower only, and it is called a full bath with either a tub or shower. Many guest homes only have the shower in lieu of the combination tub/shower or separate tub and shower. Of course they could change or MLS and rules at any time. :)
TOM - SALLY - JOEY - CANDY -
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment. Yup, it sure is different in different parts of the country. I'm proud of our MLS for taking a giant step forward to clarify this for our little part of the world.
Marlene,
Marana, Arizona has been in the international news now for a solid week, with Tiger Woods and the 63 other top golfers in the world. Marana's premier homes are found in Dove Mountain, where the Gallery golf course is located. We have a borrower who is considering a house listed at $1.8 million, and the big shock to this international buyer is that none of the homes offered in this price range include a bidet in their 3+ full bathrooms. I don't think MLS includes it in their definition either. His realtor suggested to the wife that she (the realtor) would pay to switch out the toilet in the MBR for a combo unit as part of the transaction. The wife wasn't impressed.
Mike in Tucson
Mike - Sounds like a smart REALTOR® to me!
: Any extra credit for dual sinks? A bidet?
Slight problem here.........I have a listing with no bathroom fixtures.
How do we classify that?
Is it an "ALLEGED BATHROOM"?
Hi Roberta - Sorry, there's no extra credit. I know you work in the San Diego Luxury Homes Market. Like your, when working with Luxury Homes in Orange County, there's no extra credit for steam showers, sauna's, workout areas, or massage tables either. Pshaw!
Anthony - Too funny. I guess we could give you credit for a toilet. It could be considered a squatty potty in some parts of the world. :-)
Marlene,
Interesting. We inspectors see all this. Usually, around here, we talk about full baths and half baths. However, I guess we see plenty of quarter baths too.