Are you planning on buying a home? When perusing the real estate market, a pool is an amenity that is hard to pass up, especially if you live in warm climates like Florida, Texas, or Arizona. Make sure that you evaluate the condition of the pool to ensure you are prepared for what could come.
Here are some things to know before buying a house with a swimming pool:
Pools Require Regular Cleaning and Work
If you are planning on buying a home with a pool, know that they require work. Failure to properly maintain your pool can result in big problems and expenses later. Are you prepared to be a pool owner? You will need to regularly clean and treat your swimming pool, in addition to upkeeping the pool deck, making occasional repairs, testing, and shocking the pool water. Treating the pool is integral to a healthy environment as imbalanced PH can lead to algae and bacteria- and nobody wants to swim in that! Plan on hiring a pool service company in your area to make pool ownership easier. Typically, pool services are reasonable and worth the investment.
Pools Can Contribute to Good Health
Pools can have a positive impact on your overall quality of life. Swimming is an excellent, low-impact exercise activity that can have numerous health benefits. Swimming improves cardiovascular health and improves flexibility. It can also help to improve mental wellness, particularly during trying and stressful times.
Your Electric Bill Will Go Up
It is important to know that swimming pools do use electricity so your utility bills will likely increase. Some estimate that a pool utilizes around $300 per year in electricity, but it really depends on where you live and how often you use the pool.
Pools Can Present Inherent Dangers
Pools can present inherent hazards, so you must stay vigilant about taking pool precautions. It is reported that drowning is the leading cause of death related to injuries for young children under age 4. Most towns and cities require that pools are gated, locked, and inaccessible to unsupervised children. Remember that you are responsible for any injuries incurred at your pool, whether you are aware that someone is in your pool or not. Start teaching children pool safety at a young age and encourage CPR/first aid training for the whole family.
Your Property Value May Rise
So, does having a pool make the value of your home or property increase? That can depend on many different factors. For instance, where is your pool located? In tropical or warm climates, yes – having a pool may increase your property value significantly. It can also be a big sell-point for those looking to invest or buy real estate. As for other climates that are not as prone to pool weather, a pool could actually lower the value of the property and limit the prospective client that would be interested in buying the property. Those that live in cooler, seasonal climates may not want the additional work and expense of maintaining a pool that they can only logistically use for a couple months out of the year.
Insurance Rates are Higher
It probably goes without saying that homes with swimming pools pay higher homeowner insurance premiums than those without. Naturally, this is due to the liability that a pool can present. It merits mention that diving boards and slides also increase insurance rates, as these features can cause accidental injury and subsequent medical expenses.
If you are buying a home with a swimming pool, take time to talk to the experts at Pool Troopers. Pool Troopers is a swimming pool service company offering chemical service and pool cleaning to pool owners in the Sunbelt Region. Consider regularly scheduled maintenance, chemical treatment, and cleaning to preserve and protect your favorite new amenity: your swimming pool! Call or visit Pool Troopers today!
