With summer now turned into fall, you may be replacing the bathing suits in your drawer with sweaters. But, this doesn’t mean you can’t look ahead to next summer and the summers after that. If you are looking to buy a house with a pool, or have found your dream house and it has a pool, there are a number of things you should think about first. Is buying a home with a pool a good idea?
Home value
While pools can be so much fun for the entire family, you need to consider the fact that pools are not an asset in our region. Markham homeowners who add pools to their property do not see the return on investment and the reason is pretty clear: summer here is very short. In warmer climates like Florida, Arizona and California, pools can add value to a home and are almost seen as a necessity, but in our cold Canadian climate, pools can be seen as a hassle, dangerous and costly. They just basically aren’t worth it for some homebuyers. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a home with a pool because it doesn’t add value to your home, it just means that you need to be aware that some buyers may reject your home once you are ready to sell it because of the pool.
Maintenance costs
Maybe you aren’t worried about selling later or about the home’s value and you still want a pool. You should consider that the costs of having a pool can be as much as $100-$200 a month. This amount should be factored into your budget when you are thinking of buying a Markham home with a pool. If you need to pay someone to clean or maintain your pool, this could be expensive, but on top of that, you need tools, filters and chemicals. If your pool is heated – and in Markham it is definitely a must-have – you’ll also pay for heating costs, plus heater maintenance costs.
Other considerations
Besides the cost factor, you’ll also need to consider the time you’ll spend maintaining your pool. Do you think you can fit it into your lifestyle? As well, are you sure you’ll really use your pool? These are all valid points to consider.
Before buying a home with a pool
Remember that when you buy a home, you should almost always get an inspection and a home with a pool is no different. You’ll want to make sure the foundation, liner and other elements of the pool are working and in good order, so you won’t be inundated with costs you didn’t realize come spring when you want to actually start enjoying your pool. As well, be sure to ensure the proper fencing structures are in place. In Markham, all pools need a proper enclosure. You’ll also want to call your insurance company and find out what sort of rates you’ll be charged on a home with a pool.
If you are interested in finding a new Markham home with or without a pool, let me know how I can be of service.
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