When the weather warms up, there’s nothing better than cooling off right in your own backyard pool. Not only is a pool a great visual addition to your outdoor living space, it’s also a great addition to summer entertaining and a fun activity for the kids. However, there can be drawbacks of having a pool too, like the maintenance and safety concerns.
Not all home buyers are looking for a pool, and for some it’s a non-negotiable. If you’re stuck deciding whether to build a pool, buy a new home with a pool, or leave the idea behind altogether, here are a few points to consider on both the pro and con sides.
Pros
Increase Resale Value
Pools are an attractive feature for potential buyers, not to mention they can increase the resale value of your home. Pool installations are less expensive than they used to be, but that money can be recovered once it’s time to sell anyway.
More Exercise
Think of a pool as your very own exercise facility. As a whole, your family will be more active with a pool in the privacy of your own home. Not only can you jump in and do a few quick laps, the children will benefit from being more active as well.
Entertaining
Birthday parties, get togethers and summer BBQs will be taken up a notch with a pool in your backyard. Your outdoor living space will also get a pick-me-up with a beautiful water feature to look at while dining al fresco or lounging poolside on a sunny day.
Fun
Let’s face it – pools are just plain fun. Remember when you were a kid, friends’ houses with pools were always the hot spot in the neighborhood.
Convenience
Save yourself a drive to the community pool, your in laws or a friend’s house and simply walk out of your back door to soak up the sun and go for a swim. Having your own pool is more convenient if you use it regularly.
Cons
Maintenance
With all the enhancements a pool can make to your outdoor living space, it also requires regular maintenance. Whether you do it yourself or hire a pool company to come and maintain your pool, it’s added time or money spent.
Safety
Especially with small children around, pools can pose a safety risk. As a responsible homeowner and parent, taking the proper precautions to reduce the risk of accidents must be taken. No matter how an accident happens during a pool party or play date, it becomes your responsibility.
Insurance Increase
You might be sensing a theme here, but having a pool comes with the increase in your insurance rate. A pool means you’re taking on much more risk, so it makes sense that your insurance needs to be extended to cover possible accidents.
Cost
The general cost of building a pool might be a con to homeowners who don’t ever plan on selling their home, thus never recouping the cost. If you don’t plan on selling, increasing your home value might not a be a priority.
Utility Bill Increase
Between the energy used to keep the pool running and the water needed to fill it up, having a pool means a big increase in your utility bill.
Our qualified professional landscape designers can provide you with a variety of landscape designs to choose from, so you can get the backyard of your dreams. For more information on adding a pool to your outdoor living space on the north shore of Long Island , Email us or call (516) 481-4707.
