If you’re planning to install a pool in your backyard, you’ve probably heard conflicting stories about the amount of value it will bring to your house. Some people claim that it will boost your home’s value and make it easier to sell when you eventually move. Others insist that it will be a black mark and make your home completely unsellable.
As it does in most arguments, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, and it really depends on a lot of factors. If you’re looking to install a pool, then there are several factors to take into consideration when you’re determining just how much value you can get from it. Depending on a variety of factors, a pool can boost the value of your home by as much as 7 percent. The original investment (about $30,000 to completely install, outfit, and fill a 600-square-foot pool, according to Houselogic.com) is only one part of the equation.
Climate
We’ve all heard the old adage about how the three most important factors in real estate are “location, location, location.” When you’re talking about homes with pools, this couldn’t be more true. It makes sense that a pool would bring less value in Minneapolis or Philadelphia than it would somewhere like San Diego or Miami. The climate dictates how much use a homeowner can get from the pool, which in turn affects how much buyers will be willing to pay.
Utility and Maintenance Costs
A pool costs more than just the initial installation expenses. It also costs money to keep things running smoothly. Pumps and heaters typically increase utility costs by about $100 a month, and chemicals typically run about $15–25 a week. In colder areas, the swimming season is shorter, so it doesn’t cost as much each year as it might in a hot zone.
Neighborhood Value
Whenever you perform any major renovations on your home, it’s always wise to take a look at the surrounding homes in your neighborhood. If you want to get full value out of the renovation, consistency is one of the most important factors. If you live in a neighborhood where very few homes have pools, you’re actually less likely to get full value from installing a pool. If, on the other hand, you live in a high-end neighborhood, and all of the surrounding homes have a pool, then a pool
Matching Styles
It may be tempting to use your pool as an opportunity to express your personal style, but before you install a pool that’s designed to be a portrait of your dog, remember that it could hurt its value. Future home buyers may not share your tastes. To get a good idea of what a home buyer might look for in a pool, take a look at some of the other pools in the neighborhood. A pool that matches the style of nearby homes with pools is generally a safer bet when you’re looking to sell.
Don’t be afraid to look a little bit beyond your specific neighborhood, of course. If you live in northeastern Texas, take a look at pool designs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as a whole. It will give you a better idea of what is popular and more likely to sell in the future.
Personal Preference
After you’ve weighed all the facts and run the numbers, it’s time to make a decision. In the end, though, it all boils down to one question: is it worth it to you? Most experts recommend that the main reason for installing a pool should be the value you and your family expect to get from it. The factors listed above can have a profound impact on how much value you can get from your pool if you sell the home, but that’s not the only value involved.
Once you’ve looked at all the numbers, it all comes down to whether you want a pool and whether you can afford it. If you really want a pool and it fits within your budget, then go for it. Enjoy it for at least a few years, then make some of that money back when you sell it.
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Built in pools below the ground are sweet. But you got to maintain them. Some study came out that showed public pools have 60 gallons of piss in them on average. No way I ever swim in a public pool. Only private.