A swimming pool can be a very attractive feature for a homeowner, potentially offering hours of outdoor entertainment, swimming, and in-water exercise options, and a great way to cool down and relax during the warmer months. A beautiful backyard with a pool can increase the property’s overall curb appeal, potentially contributing extra value to the home. Owning a house with a pool can really convey a feeling of luxurious living and make a real difference in lifestyle for you and your family. However, before you buy that house with a pool, you should first be aware of a few potential caveats:
Understand the Maintenance a Swimming Pool Requires
While a well-kept pool can be a great asset, be aware that ongoing costs and work are required to maintain any pool. A well-kept pool requires weekly cleanings, regular chemical treatments, filter replacements, resurfacing as necessary, and a rainy-day fund for potential repair costs. Heated pools also have the potential to significantly raise your utility bills from month to month. Unmaintained pools can even become nests for mosquitoes or unsightly “frog ponds” covered in green algae, impacting the resale value of your house. Broken pumps, leaky seals, and bursting water pipes, if uninsured, can lead to immediate and unexpected costs in the thousands of dollars. Homeadvisor.com reports that homeowners with pools spend on average between $80-$150 per month to maintain their pools, so consider those maintenance costs before you close on that new house with a pool.
When Buying a House with a Swimming Pool, Check Safety Regulations
Before buying a house with a pool, talk to the current owner to make sure that the pool meets existing federal, state, and local regulations for safety requirements for pools in your area. Drains must be fitted with code-compliant covers, and families with small children need to use special care and supervision and consider additional safety measures like installing an alarm. Per the CDC, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for children between the age of 1-4. Keep in mind that your house may have a homeowner’s association with additional conditions and requirements for your pool, like installing alarms or fenced-in areas.
Insurance Costs that Come with Owning a House with a Swimming Pool
Typically, homeowner’s insurance will cover a pool under the “other structures” clause of your policy. Bear in mind that homeowners may potentially be held liable for injuries that occur in conjunction with their pool – whether those injuries happened with permission or not! It is for this reason that insurance companies will term a pool as an “attractive nuisance,” and thus homeowner’s insurance policies will typically include some degree of liability coverage for a pool. Adequate liability coverage for a pool varies depending on your location, the type of pool you have, etc. Make sure you are aware of any requirements imposed by your insurance to be eligible for liability claims, like purchasing a secure pool cover, maintaining a fenced-in area, or draining a pool during the wintertime – otherwise, you may be at risk for your insurance to deny a claim on the basis of homeowner neglect.
Swimming Pool Questions to Ask the Owner Before Buying the Home:
This is a list of questions that buyers should ask the current owners so that they have the full story before an offer is made.
1. What is the exact age of the pulled or when was it originally installed?
2. Were permits pulled for the installation?
3. How old is the liner?
4. What material is on the inside of the pool?
5. Has there ever been a leak in the pool?
6. What is the number and placement of drains and returns?
7. How old is all of the pool equipment?
8. What has been used in terms of maintaining water chemistry?
9. Is there a warranty?
10. Who was the manufacturer and who installed it?
Regardless of the costs and attention required to maintain a pool, many homeowners will tell you that all the work is worth it to be able to host memorable parties and family gatherings during the summer months. Paired with a hot day and a good barbecue, owning a pool has the potential to be a one-of-a-kind entertainment area. Just take into account these potential pitfalls, and we encourage you to talk to an expert REALTOR® to help you make an educated decision on whether that house with a pool is right for you, your family, and your budget.