3 Considerations When Buying A Home With A Pool
When it comes to buying a home with a pool, you are going to want to put a little more thought into the selection of the home. You need to carefully consider the state of the pool, as well as the state of the home.
#1: State of the Pool
First, you are going to want to consider the state of the pool. How does the liner look on the pool? Does the pool have a working pump? Has the pool been taken care of?
When buying a home with a pool, you want to make sure you are purchasing a home with a working pool, not one that you will need to put thousands of dollars into to use it.
You may want to hire a home inspector who is knowledgeable about pools, or you may want to hire a pool installer to inspect the pool and let you know about its overall condition and any repair needs that it will have.
#2: Safety of the Pool
Second, you need to examine the safety features that are around the pool area. Many cities have building code requirements to fence in pools. Additionally, regardless of building codes, having a pool on your property makes you liable for anything that happens around or in the pool, so you want to make sure it represents a safe environment.
For example, if the pool fenced in? Does the pool area have a lockable gate? Is the patio or deck around the pool safe? Does the pool have a cover for the winter?
If the pool doesn't have the safety features you would like it to have, carefully consider what it would cost you to upgrade the pool's safety and if that fits in with your house-buying budget.
#3: Insurance Costs
Third, you need to consider how having a pool is going to impact your insurance costs. Homes with a pool are generally considered a bigger liability than homes without a pool, leading to you having to deal with higher insurance premiums. Having a diving board or slide can further increase your insurance premium.
Call your insurance company and get a quote on what the premium would be. This will help you determine if you can afford to purchase the home and handle all the monthly expenses.
When it comes to buying a pool home, you want to make sure the pool is in a usable state, and if not, be sure you have a clear understanding of what it will take to get the pool to a usable state. You need to consider the safety features already implemented around the pool and the cost of any additional safety features you want to put in place. Finally, you need to consider how having a pool impact your insurance costs. Make sure the pool, and the home, are a good and affordable investment.