Woodstove/bathtub questions

We live in a small, 2 bedroom house that is about 1200 sq feet. We've lived here about 18 months, and have done A LOT to it. It was pretty scary when we first bought it. However, it still needs a lot more done to it. We bought it in early spring, so we spent all spring/summer of 2009 working on the kitchen (totally gutted it and remodeled) and outside things. We did manage to paint the 2 bedrooms as well. We got a little burned out on the whole home-improvement thing, so decided to take a break until winter to work on the inside.

Well, it's almost winter again and we still haven't done anything else. I REALLY would just like to get some color on the walls. However, it seems everything has a trinkle-down effect to get something done. We bought a woodstove to install in the living room. My step-dad was going to help install it, and build a real stone wall behind it/etc. The plan was to get the stove and surrounding area done, then have someone come in and re-stomp all of the ceilings of the house. Then, we could work on the walls, and get a new bathtub.

I HATE our bathtub. It's a metal tub, without the insert around it. It's just three pieces of the plastic/whatever on the walls around. That's fine, except whoever put it in, didn't do it straight, and it doesn't line up. So they just put a TON of cauking in all the seems. We found out after the first shower that they didn't use the right stuff, as it all fell out when it got wet. We've re-caulked it 5 times, and nothing works. It's gross b/c this is also where mold/mildew wants to collect and its impossible to keep clean. I want to rip the whole thing out and get a seamless, one piece one and put it in. This is what we saved our income taxes on.

Okay, onto the problems. A LOT has happened in the past 6 months. It's been hard, especially on my husband. He's stressed out and exhausted most of the time. I hate asking him about when we're going to get things done, but if we're going to do the stove, it needs to be done now before the weather turns. Part of the the stress comes from the fact that we've inherited 4 houses and close to 100 acres. So, in a couple/few years (house needs a lot of work beforehand), we'll be moving to one of these houses. I'm looking at all of our future projects in a different way now. We will not be staying here now. So, I'm trying to get things ready in a way that potential buyers will like. Obviously the tub needs re-done. But what about the stove? We've reconsidered the stove several times. Some may find it a good or a bad point to a house.

Should we or shouldn't we install a wood stove? Would this be a selling point or a blunder?

Ideas on the tub? Dh says that our ceiling height and the space for the tub won't fit a standard tub insert...he suggested calling BathFitter, but don't they just cover up the old tub? Wouldn't that make mold and gunky stuff continue to grow underneath a new tub?

[The Paw]

If you are stressed out on reno's and not staying anyways, I would wait on the woodstove. You can always take the stove with you, leave it for new owners to install, or install it later on. Sometimes you have to ration your energy and prioritize.

The tub is another matter. If you don't deal with it, the drywall behind will get punky, and the mildew will take hold. That makes it a bigger job, the longer you leave it. I would call Bathfitter or check our their website, they may have a product that fits your needs. If not, removing the old tub surround, cutting new material more precisely and using the right caulking is worth it. You may end up replacing drywall as well, and if you do, use the moisture resistant stuff.

[momofseven]

First...congrats on the inheritance! Now I will tell you what our real estate agent told us....
do all you can to the kitchen and bathroom. So I would spend my time and $ on getting the bath done.

[Patt]

if it has been that stressful and you have another place to live in for yourself why not sell it as is and just try to get back what you put into it? Sometimes the extra money is not worth the mental and emotional costs.

[ronbre]

if you know you are moving do NOT intstall the stove..too much stress on the hubby..

we redid MIL's house for sale and we put in a two piece tub there, cheap and easy ..no work besides installing and trimming..it was wonderful !!!

we had it delivered ..pay the extra..and then just take out the old and put in the new..make sure you get the drain and faucet on the right end.

try to prioritize now, as you know you'll be moving..buy some good quality but inexpensive paint (i like walmart paint and i'm an interior designer)..put the paint on..don't try to do any more remodeling that you absolutely have to to update the look..don't use any bright colors, use all neutrals..for your sale..best to use things like sage green, ivory, cocoa browns, if cabinets are ugly, put a good coat of paint on them too..fix anything that is IN YOUR FACE..wrong.

[NorthCountryWd]

I would agree on not installing the wood stove. Every market and buyer is different, some will like a wood stove, others would dislike it. You can offer the woodstove as a perk (like ceiling fans, window treatments), but uninstalled.