How to Sell Your Home When You Have a Pool (2023)

FAQs

Does pool affect home appraisal? ›

Every neighborhood is different. During a home appraisal, the pool's worth can be determined by the type of construction of the pool. Whether it is above or below ground does make a difference. Also, the climate at the location matters as well.

Some home improvements increase your home's value, but others don't. While you and your family will certainly enjoy a pool, prospective home buyers might see it as a safety hazard and a maintenance hassle. Overbuilding for the neighborhood can be a mistake.

Doing the Math. Real estate experts estimate that an average 14x28-foot inground concrete pool potentially adds 5 to 8 percent to the real estate value of your home. If your property is worth $400,000, you'll realize a boost to the value of your property of about $20,000 to $32,000.

The swimming pool can affect the price when it's time to sell your home. Talk to a real estate agent and you will likely find that an inground pool doesn't add value to your home. In fact, removing the pool can add value, resulting in more equity when it's time to sell.

The good news is that yes, installing a pool will increase the value of your home and, therefore, will be considered a home improvement. Home improvements like a pool are considered capital improvements that increase your property value.

Updating appliances or any major systems, like plumbing, electrical or HVAC, can be costly, so if yours are outdated, it could affect the overall value of the home. And if the interior hasn't been changed for decades, it may not appeal to buyers, which can also cause the value to decrease.

Maximum value will be added by improving the main living spaces, such as the kitchen, dining and living area and the way in which they work together. Before removing walls, work out which are loadbearing by checking the direction of the floor joists as these should always rest on structural walls.

What Do Appraisers Say About the Value of a Home with a Pool? If you ask an appraiser what adding a pool to your home will do to its value, they're likely to say it won't do anything at all. Appraisers and many other real estate experts will tell you that you're actually not going to see a return on that investment.

According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%. This, of course, depends on a number of different factors, including your location.

What is the average cost of a pool in Florida? ›

On average, a concrete pool can range anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000. Again, on average. These pools can end up costing even more depending on customization and other factors.

Yes, when you install a swimming pool in your backyard, you are essentially making an investment. If you take good care of your pool and keep it in shape, it will definitely add value to your home. Enhancing the pool area with landscaping and other visual features will make your home more valuable.

The disadvantages of having a pool

The cost of constructing a pool is significant, and the ongoing costs of maintenance and repairs can also add up. Not to mention the added energy bills of powering pool cleaning systems. Purchasing a home with an existing pool can save you the headache and cost of installing one.

Close the pool for winter – but don't drain it.

In winter, the water in your pool is still your friend. Especially when properly winterized, it helps to protect the pool liner, keep it clean and prevent unnecessary damage from debris, harsh weather and other factors.

Ultimately, unsightly yards and foreclosures affect the resale value of your home because they bring down the average home values in the neighborhood.

An inground pool is considered a home improvement for taxes. Above-ground pools are not considered home improvements for taxes because they are not treated as permanent additions.

Home improvements and taxes

When you make a home improvement, such as installing central air conditioning or replacing the roof, you can't deduct the cost in the year you spend the money. But, if you keep track of those expenses, they may help you reduce your taxes in the year you sell your house.

As a result, you can depreciate the pool individually for 15 years as a land improvement.

Just keep your communication to the appraiser about the facts of the home and neighborhood, how you priced the house, and any other relevant information you think the appraiser should know. And remember, don't discuss value. Don't pressure the appraiser to 'hit the value' and you'll be fine.

What are three common appraisal errors? ›

It is possible to identify several common sources of error in performance appraisal systems. These include: (1) central tendency error, (2) strictness or leniency error, (3) halo effect, (4) recency error, and (5) personal biases.

Some factors, such as property maintenance and improvements, are in your control. Other times, factors outside your control, such as the property market, natural disasters, and changes in your neighborhood, might be bringing down the value of your home.

"Generally, going with neutral colors like shades of white, beige, taupe, and grays lead to a faster sale," she shares. "Neutral colors are also more appealing to potential buyers because many want the creative freedom of a blank canvas to add their personal touches to when looking for a new place to call home.

Livable space is what is most important to buyers and appraisers. Bedrooms and bathrooms are most highly valued, so the more beds and baths your home offers, the more your home is generally worth.

In general, a bathroom can increase your home's value anywhere from 10-40% depending on the quality of the bathroom and its updates. That's anywhere from $20,000-50,000 for cost-effective updates.

The heat of Florida is rather intense. Having a pool in your backyard makes it far more tolerable. While a swimming pool in a northern state may not add much value, it's quite different in Florida. Since the pool can likely be used year-round, it can certainly be a selling point for your home.

Above-ground hot tubs are considered personal property. This means they are not considered add-ons to the value of the home. An in-ground hot tub or spa may add value to a home. However, the biggest value-add in a property is for a home that has both a pool and a hot tub.

Pools add at least $50,000 to $80,000 to a home's current market value. How much return on investment does a seller get on renovating their pool?

Does pool give you equity? ›

Gelios adds that while a pool can be attractive, it doesn't increase the value by a huge amount—often "no more than 8% on the high end," he explains. However, if you live in an area where having a pool in the backyard is par for the course, it may be a major boost to your home's value when it does come time to sell.

Though returns have traditionally been placed 12 to 18 inches below the water's surface, more professionals are recommending that they be installed closer to the floor.

The most popular type of swimming pool for Florida is a concrete or gunite construction. The pool's interior is made from cement, sand and water.

A well-maintained concrete pool should last around 50 years or more. And a well constructed in-ground concrete swimming pool sphould last a lifetime. But, a pool's liner or finish won't last long. And thus, an in-ground concrete pool will need to be resurfaced every 10 to 15 years.

Typically, gas pool heaters can cost around $200 to $400 per month to run.

How much value does a pool add to a home? The experts are a split on how much a pool can contribute to a home's value. One HouseLogic study suggests an increase of 7 percent, at most, under ideal conditions, while HGTV reports that the average in-ground pool can up your property's value by 5 to 8 percent.

Typically, the ROI of a garage addition is sixty-four to eighty-one percent, adding an estimated $20,000 to $35,000 to your home's value.

Generally speaking for both above and inground pools, your pool should be at least 10 feet or more from your house. This rule of thumb goes for any size pool you may be considering. Again, to get the correct answer, contact your local zoning, your housing or condo association, and determine your local regulations.

Having a pool can make your home a social center for family and friends. Plus, having your own pool means never having to wait in line at a public facility or face capacity restrictions that could hamper your day of fun — just grab your swimsuit, head outside and you're ready to go.

Why are inground pools better? ›

Inground Pool Pros

Inground pools give you a lot more creative control over the shape, the depth, and the overall design. You can make your pool as curvy or angular as you want, and you can make it much deeper than an above ground pool. You can also decorate the pool deck, which can add value to your home.

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

Pool owners should never drain their inground pool as part of regular swimming pool maintenance, as draining the pool can actual cause the TDS (total dissolved solids) factor to rise.

While there is no definitive answer, most experts agree that pools should be drained and refilled every three to five years. This will help to keep the water clean and clear and will prevent any build-up of dirt or debris. Additionally, draining and refilling your pool will help to extend its lifespan.

If you haven't renovated your home in the past 30 years or so, it won't show well when you put it on the market. In other words, it won't get the same price as a similar home that's been maintained and updated.

A house's value is ultimately what someone is willing to pay for it. Damage to your home caused by mold or bug infestation, fire or weather damage, sewage problems, or structural problems especially in the basement or the roof will devalue a property.

Water damage also affects the appraisal value of your home, so if you're thinking about getting the equity you've earned on your property, you may want to learn more about leaks.

What Do Appraisers Say About the Value of a Home with a Pool? If you ask an appraiser what adding a pool to your home will do to its value, they're likely to say it won't do anything at all. Appraisers and many other real estate experts will tell you that you're actually not going to see a return on that investment.

A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.

When receiving a glowing appraisal or positive feedback, avoid saying anything that will make you sound arrogant, Kerr says. For instance: "Tell me something I don't know," is something you should never say. "Simply accept the compliment graciously and move on."

What would lower an appraisal? ›

A low appraisal happens when the appraiser's opinion of value for the property comes in below the contract price or lower than expected. Some of the most common reasons for a lower-than-expected appraisal valuation are: Changing markets with rapidly increasing or decreasing values. Artificially inflated prices.

A property's appraisal value is influenced by recent sales of similar properties and by current market trends. The home's amenities, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the floor plan's functionality, and the square footage are also key factors.

The average cost of a home appraisal in Florida runs between $375 and $500, but Pringle says rates vary depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the appraisal.

Data from real estate agents has shown building a pool can increase home value by up to seven percent or more. To put it into perspective, if your home sells for $250,000, then $17,500 of that can be attributed to the pool's value.

In Florida, at least 15% of homes have a pool. However, having your at-home paradise comes with a hefty price tag. According to HomeGuide, inground pools in Florida cost between $28,000 and $200,000. The average cost is between $35,000 and $60,000 depending on the type of pool.

The appraiser will use the age-life technique to consider the property's total age, effective age, and the expected remaining lifespan of any renovations. In this scenario, the property's effective age reflects the state of the property and its current market position.

Tips for reducing the cost of an inground pool

Save money by choosing a basic concrete deck now and adding the fancy patio later. Avoid the deep end: “Smaller pools are all the rage these days, not only because they save space but because they're cheaper to install and maintain,” Jobe says.