What to Know Before Buying a Home With a Pool

During a hot summer day, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of jumping into a pool to take a swim and cool off. Pools can seem like a great addition to any home at first glance, but there are many aspects to take into consideration before committing to one. Here’s what to know when thinking about purchasing a home with a pool.

Community Guidelines

Love the pool but hate the fence surrounding it? Unfortunately, many cities nationwide require that pools be surrounded by a fence or be within a fenced-in yard as a safety precaution. Buyers who think those fences are an eyesore and want to rip them out at first opportunity should first make sure it’s legal to do so. 

Similarly, for those who’ve found the perfect home and want to install a pool themselves, some Homeowners Associations disallow fences and pools in their neighborhood altogether. When making the final decision to purchase a home, make sure the neighborhood will allow all the desired additions. 

Insurance Rates

When buying a home with a pool, the home insurance costs will be more than a similar home without a pool. This is because pools fall into a category called “attractive nuisances” that includes trampolines and other potentially dangerous things that could attract children who could be injured. Because of this, insurance companies will often require that the pool be properly protected by fences and signs before they will cover it. And for even more added responsibility, the pool’s owner is responsible for all injuries that happen in it, whether the use was allowed or not. Because of this, insurance agencies will typically allow $100,000 in liability protection, but it’s recommended that policyholders purchase more in case of accidents.

Upkeep and Maintenance

By buying a home with a pool already installed, buyers avoid the $20,000 price tag to do it themselves. However, pools still need regular upkeep that adds up over time. While chlorine and replacement filters are easily affordable, the cost of energy required to heat a pool can be unexpected. Depending on where in the country the home is located, energy fees can be up to $3,600 a year.

And for those who live in areas where winters get cold, winterizing and reopening will take extra steps and cost several hundred dollars, leaving more to consider every year. 

Pools During the Home Inspection

Not all home inspectors know how to check pools, so when it comes time for the home inspection, it’s vital to hire someone who knows what to look for. If an inspector who knows how to do everything is unavailable, a certified pool builder can provide the pool inspection. A skilled pool inspector will be able to test the equipment to see how well it runs, do pressure tests for leaks, check drains and more. 

Impact on a Home’s Value

Pools can have either a positive or negative effect on a home’s value depending on several key criteria. One of the most important is the location of the home because pools are more desirable in certain locations than others. For example, a pool in a home for sale in Abacoa will typically have more value than if the same home were for sale in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Regardless of where the home is located, it will have more value with buyers who are seeking a pool than those who are not, so value can fluctuate depending solely on who’s looking at it.

A pool can provide residents endless hours of summertime fun, but they also require a lot of time and effort. With the proper research, home buyers can find the perfect one for them and know exactly what being a pool owner entails before taking the plunge.