How much value does a pool add to a home? That is a question a lot of people ask but the answer is elusive.
For many years, pools were nothing more than a hole in the ground with water in them. Many were built as nothing more than holding tanks with few if any real convenience or aesthetic features.
Swimming pools of today have become much more in that they often are built as the centerpiece of a backyard miniresort. Additionally, they can be constructed to be low-maintenance and long-lasting with minimal care.
I recently traveled to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals headquarters in Alexandria, Va., to judge the International Awards of Excellence. The annual competition recognizes the most beautiful pools in the world.
With nearly 800 entries and nearly 2,000 pictures to review, it showcased some very impressive projects. One thing is for sure, pools are becoming more of an art form than ever before, and homeowners are incorporating more and more features and improvements into them.
As for how they affect home values, the bottom line is that a well-designed and -constructed swimming pool with landscaping will add value, just as much as a poorly designed and constructed back yard will detract.
The question inevitably is brought up regarding how much someone should spend on a pool as a percentage of home value. Years ago I would tell someone that 12-15 percent of the value of the home is a reasonable number. Today, in this crazy home market, the percentage is a bit lower.
The things to consider are how long you will be staying in the home and what value you personally place on outdoor living and recreation on your own property.
With gasoline topping $3 a gallon, I would imagine more people are looking closer at this. Some consumers are also finding out that a move up is out of the question, so investing money in their current home makes more sense.
The real value in a pool or back yard is the value you place on it. If you enjoy coming home to a personal sanctuary every day, your well-thought-out pool and backyard design will serve up doses of therapy every time you step though the back door.
If you enjoy family time together teaching your children to swim and respect water, then this has merit and value.
If you entertain and get pleasure from being outdoors in the evenings surrounded by the soothing sound of moving water as well as the glow of a well-placed lighting system, then this has value.
