The warm weather is here, bringing backyard oasis-level relaxation to mind. Having a pool in your backyard sounds like a dream, right? One step outside your back door, and you’re ready for a full day poolside without having to head anywhere! No worrying if you have the kids’ favorite pool toys, snacks, or enough drinks to go around. All you have to do is head inside.
Having a pool in your backyard can be wonderful. It’s even better when you’re armed with all the information. Proper pool maintenance can be difficult if you’re not aware of all the aspects of pool ownership. What chemicals do you want, and when do you have to re-do your liner? The questions add up, and it can be murky waters navigating pool territory.
Backyard Pool Cons
In some places, and in some cases, having a pool can be seen as a “con” of a potential home. This is especially true in cases where the potential buyers aren’t experienced pool owners. Regular maintenance can weigh heavy on people who own a home with a pool. You’ve got chemicals to worry about, cleaning, and eventual repair. Pools can take up a lot of backyard space, and in smaller yards that could be overwhelming. Families with young children might be especially leery of pools, too. According to Safekids Worldwide, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages one to four.
While that might seem scary, there are lots of ways to safe guard your pool. Fencing with childproof locks are just one way to protect your family and your pool.
Another thing that can sway potential home buyers from a property with a pool is the added expense. If you’re not looking for the pool, you’re probably not looking for the financial stress either. However! Before you walk away too quickly, pool maintenance might not be as expensive as you think. While some people might spring for pool maintenance by a professional company, it’s not too hard to learn to do the maintenance yourself. You can slash that expense pretty quickly!
Location is also important to consider. In our area, the Triangle, there’s a lot of sun, and a lot of warm weather. But for some areas of the country, having a pool isn’t worth the effort for two short months of use every year.
Let’s stray away from the negatives, and look at the pros of having your own backyard oasis.
Backyard Pool Pros
For starters, think about the aesthetics. Looking out over your backyard to see a beautiful patio, your children happily playing in the pool, and the bright Carolina blue sky is a sight for sore eyes.
In hot climates, pools can even add to resale value. Thank North Carolina, but our climate is often one that encourages people to seek out a nearby lake or pool spring, summer, and even into the fall. For some properties in areas where the climate is great for having a pool, some real estate professionals see a pretty penny increase in the selling price. We’re talking $10,000 or more, but it’s important to remember that this is in an area where “pool season” is longer than two short summer months.
Public pools are unfortunately notorious for passing around bugs or germs. Though not necessarily a deciding factor on a home, being able to take care of your pool the way you want to is a nice relief.
Real Estate Experts
All in all, choosing a property with a pool comes down to where you live, and the type of lifestyle you want to lead. But, choose the pool if it’s something you love. If you’re not going to be using it, there’s a good reason to turn away from a house with a pool. At Real Estate Experts, we’re happy to help you find the house of your dreams with a backyard oasis, or help you find the perfect home with a pool-less backyard.
We commit to providing our clients the best experience buying or selling homes. We want the process to be smooth for everyone involved. If you’re interested in buying or selling a home in the Triangle area, give us a call anytime at 919-813-6449 or send us an email to [email protected].