Buying a Home with a Pool? Read this First!

 Have you always dreamed of owning a swimming pool? If so, you might be elated to come across a house for sale that already has one. However, before you buy, there are a few things you should know. Far too many people jump into purchasing homes with pools without educating themselves first. This often leads to disappointment and regret. To avoid finding yourself in this situation, keep reading!  

Prepare to Repair

First things first, know that you’re probably not going to find a home with a perfect pool. It can happen, and that would certainly be great, but it’s not likely. As such, if you buy the home as is, expect to have to make some repairs. Alternatively, you could have the pool inspected before you make a purchase. At least that way, you’ll go into the decision with your eyes wide open.

In any event, common pool needs include liner replacement, refinishing, and general repairs and maintenance with prices varying depending on the severity of the issues, the type of pool, and other factors.

You Might Recoup Your Costs

While you may have to shell out some money for pool repairs, there is a bright side! Your investment in your pool is likely to pay off. For one thing, having a pool of your own will keep you from paying high pool membership costs. For another, if you sell your home and the pool is in good condition, you can usually garner a higher price than you initially paid.

You’ll Have to Perform Maintenance

It’s easy to get excited when you see that a house has a pool. But, keep in mind that pool ownership is not all fun and games. There’s a lot of maintenance and responsibility involved. You should be willing to spend money on professional cleanings or to buy the necessary chemicals and supplies and perform the maintenance yourself. Either way, pool ownership does mean work, but of course, the payoff is having a beautiful pool. You just have to decide if that’s worth it to you.

Ultimately, people will feel very differently about buying a home with a pool. Some people will jump at the chance, while others will be hesitant or may even outright refuse. No reaction is “right” or “wrong.” It’s simply a matter of doing what works for you. With that said, keeping this information in mind should help you to make a decision you’ll feel good about.

How to Be Sure You Will be Happy with Your New Swimming Pool

 Many people spend their lives dreaming of owning a swimming pool of their very own. Then, before they know it, they’re actually able to afford one. Often, these individuals are incredibly eager to jump right into the process. But, remember to proceed with caution and care. A swimming pool is a major investment, and you don't want to end up with a serious case of buyer’s remorse.  

Make Sure It’s What You Really Want  

First thing first, consider whether or not a swimming pool still works for your home and lifestyle. It may have been something you always wanted, but wants and desires do change. If you don’t want to deal with swimming pool maintenance, or if you have a neighborhood pool you prefer to go to, a swimming pool may not be the right choice for you. But, if a pool is something you 100% want and feel fully committed to, then move forward. Ultimately, don’t buy a pool just because you can.  

Check References with Care  

Once you’ve decided a pool is a priority for you, then the next step is to find a qualified pool contractor in your area. Don’t just automatically go with the first company you find. Instead, take the time to thoroughly research any company you are thinking of hiring, and always, always ask for and check up on provided references. That way, you can learn, firsthand, from past customers of the company about what their experience was like.  

Look for a High Satisfaction Rate  

As you check online references and read reviews of the pool company you’re interested in, look for a high satisfaction rate among the customers you speak to or hear from. Ideally, about 95% (or more!) of them should be fully happy with their pools and the work that was done. Remember, too, that customers who had installation problems or other issues that were ultimately solved don’t necessarily count as a “bad mark” on the pool company’s behalf. In fact, being able to work through and solve problems is a great quality in a pool contractor.  If your prospective company shows a history of always or almost always making the customer happy, no matter what challenges were encountered, then you’re likely in very good hands.  

As you can see, buying a pool is a major decision. But, if you approach it with care and keep these helpful tips in mind, it should be one that turns out in your favor.

Tips for Conserving Water when You Own a Pool

Owning a pool automatically means that you’re probably going to use more water than the average person. You have to fill the pool up, which takes a lot of water, and then top it off as needed.

However, owning a pool does not necessarily mean that you have to use a ton of water all the time. There are things you can do to cut back on water usage. This, in turn, will also help you cut back on water-related costs. Plus, following some simple tips can also lessen your negative environmental impact.   

Don’t Do Full Drains

Some people will completely drain their pool at the end of the season and then add in brand new water. For large pools, that’s a lot of water being wasted, as well as a lot of water to replenish.

Fortunately, you can avoid both the waste and the expense by not fully draining your pool at the end of the season. Believe it or not, with proper care, water can be maintained during the off-season and then ready to use come summer time.

The general rule is that pools only need to be fully drained every three to seven years! How often you will need to drain your pool will depend on a wide range of factors, such as frequency of use, how many people use the pool, and your maintenance schedule.

However, that’s definitely a lot less often than every season! So, take good care of your water to avoid having to do a full drain more often than you should.

Never Overfill Your Pool

A lot of pool owners regularly overfill their pools. This wastes water and is also not good for the pool and its health.

Pool water should only reach to about halfway up on the skimmer opening. Getting to this level and no higher will avoid wasted water and ensure proper cleaning and proper functioning of the skimmer.

Cover Your Pool

One final tip to follow is to cover your pool when not in use.

That simple cover can keep water from evaporating as quickly, which means you have to “top off” your pool less often.

Conserving water is possible, even for pool owners. Just follow these tips carefully, and you’ll be surprised at how much water (and money!) you’ll save.