If you are in the process of looking for your next home or considering upgrading the home you have currently, you may be deciding whether or not a pool is right for you. Homeownership can be complex, and adding a pool to the mix is certainly an additional complication. There are pros and cons of having a pool, and we recommend weighing them carefully before you decide to dive in or bail out!
The Pros
1.) Pools make a splash when you host backyard parties!
Who can resist an invitation to a pool party? Anytime it’s hot enough to swim, your entertainment practically takes care of itself. Add a grilling session, chests full of ice-cold drinks, and some chill music, and you have a memorable party on the ready.
2.) Pools are excellent for exercise.
Whether you swim laps, tread water, or do gentle water aerobic exercises, pools provide the ideal environment for total-body, low-impact movement. 75% of Americans skip the recommended amount of exercise. If you are in this vast majority, the health benefits of committing to pool workouts may well offset every potential downside we mention in just a moment.
The CDC reports that swimming also has significant mental health benefits that go beyond the boost you’ll receive from hitting your workout goals. Anxiety and depression levels go down, and mood baselines go up when individuals swim regularly. If your mental health could do with a boost, swimming should be high on your list of things to try.
3.) Family bonding time will be even better.
Active families, we hardly need to explain the incredibly enjoyable opportunities a pool provides for you to spend time together. You can avoid the packed parking lots, lines, and screaming crowds at the local pool while spending that time and energy playing with your children in your private oasis.
Add gorgeous new outdoor furniture, a speaker system, and a grilling setup, and you’re all set. Marco Polo, anyone?
4.) A pool may enhance your home’s curb appeal.
While there is no denying that your home having a pool will be a dealbreaker for some buyers, a pool in a neighborhood where they are few and far between may also be the reason your home sells down the line. When a buyer has their heart set on a pool, your private paradise plunge will be the exact draw required to seal the deal.
The Cons
1.) Pool maintenance is a lot of work.
At the bare minimum, a pool must be skimmed, scrubbed, filtered, chemically balanced, and opened and closed seasonally. At least weekly, you will have to tackle some maintenance tasks, or you will have to pay to outsource the responsibility.
If you already feel overwhelmed by other household chores (including yard work), adding pool maintenance to your to-do list is unlikely to make you feel as though you’ve made the right call by acquiring a pool to begin with.
2.) Pools are costly to install and maintain.
Pools cost a staggering amount to install, but that’s far from the end of the fiscal drain they present. Weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance tasks can add $3k to $6k to your costs per year on average, and long-term, tasks like maintaining and repairing the overall structure add significantly to this sum.
Furthermore, the utilities associated with water and electricity can add as much as $300 to your utility bills monthly.
If you are fortunate to have a great deal of disposable income, this pitfall will not be an issue for you. For the vast majority of American homeowners, however, the added financial burden of pool maintenance can be so heavy that they cannot afford to purchase a home with a pool, even when the home’s listing price is no higher than surrounding homes that do not include pools.
3.) Your insurance premiums will be higher.
Because drowning and other pool-related injuries are (unfortunately) extremely common, especially in young children and pets, your home insurance premiums will be significantly higher when you have a pool.
A pool is considered “an attractive nuisance” in many regions, which means they are both enticing to others and a danger simultaneously. You must consider this added cost as you do the math to determine whether you can afford to own a pool.
4.) Safety measures are a must.
Your pool needs to be surrounded by a locking fence to drastically reduce the risk of a tragedy occurring in your backyard. For maximum safety, add an alarm.
A cover will enhance your pool security and reduce heating costs in the cooler months. An automated cover, activated with the press of a button, prevents pets and children from falling in when no one is outside and, when paired with a fence, makes your pool as safe as possible.
The Takeaway
As inviting and enjoyable as pools are, they bring a host of complexities that each deserve your attention before you decide to install one or purchase a home with one. Consult with your home insurance provider and local pool maintenance company, and even ask friends who have owned pools for years.
If you have further questions regarding the pros and cons of having a pool of your own, contact your trusted real estate agent. We can tell you more about the specifics of operating a pool in Middle Tennessee and share how having a pool in a given neighborhood is likely to impact your home’s resale value.
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