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Does Everything Go Swimmingly with a Pool?
The last Saturday in April is National Pool Opening Day, celebrating the onset of warmer weather and encouraging pool owners to start prepping their pools for the summer months. Are you thinking about installing a pool or shopping for Edina homes for sale with a pool? While having a swimming pool at home is convenient and fun, it does have some drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of a home swimming pool.
Benefits of a Home Swimming Pool
If you or the kids plan on spending a lot of time in the pool, there are definitely advantages to having one at home. Before shopping for Glenwood homes for sale with a pool, check out these benefits.
- More fun for you and the kids! Having a pool means the kids can spend all summer in the pool, right in the comfort of their own backyard—and where you can keep a closer eye on them. Go swimming any time you want, invite friends over for BBQ and a dip in the pool, or just relax poolside with a book.
- Easier to exercise. Exercising is hard and can be expensive if you need a gym membership. Having a pool in the backyard will make exercising easier by making it more fun, private, and readily accessible.
- Convenient. Whatever else you say about having a pool, having one in your backyard is undeniably convenient. A quick swim is possible when there isn't a commute to plan for, and the showers are your own. Plus, you don't have to pay admission to the local pool.
- Added value. While adding a pool doesn't increase the value of your property dramatically and won't repay you for the expense of building the pool, it will still add value to your home. The typical pool addition adds between 5 and 8 percent of your home's value.
Drawbacks of a Home Swimming Pool
While there are advantages to having a pool in your backyard, there are some drawbacks as well. Here are a few things to consider.
- Upkeep. Pools aren't a "set it and forget it" upgrade. They require yearly maintenance, usually at the beginning and the end of the season, and can require repairs throughout your ownership of the property.
- High cost. Having a home swimming pool can get expensive. There's the installation, which is pricey and not entirely recoverable when you sell the house. Regular maintenance and repairs cost money as well. In addition, you should consider expenses such as the electricity needed to run the pump and heater and the cost of additional home insurance.
- Safety and liability concerns. One of the major considerations with a pool should be safety and liability. To reduce the risk, local regulations and insurance may require the installation of safety precautions, such as fencing with a locking gate around the pool.
- Resale challenges. As noted, if you install a pool, keep in mind you likely won't recover those expenses when you sell your home, although the pool will increase the value a little. If you plan to buy a home with a pool, you may need a separate inspection of the pool, as most home inspectors are not qualified to do such an inspection.
Due to the installation cost, buying a home with a pool already included may make more sense. Interested in discussing your options with a real estate expert? Call today to speak to one of our agents.