Does an in-ground pool add value to a home?
In Texas an in-ground pool does add to the resale value of your home, but don’t expect to get 100% return on your investment. On average an in-ground pool can increase the value of a residential property from 6 to 10 percent. An in-ground pool in Tx can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on size, whether it is screened in, and the extra amenities.
Some buyers prefer not to have a pool because of the added expense, maintenance, and safety hazards with children. Pools can consume valuable yard space because in Tx most of the properties in certain subdivisions are pretty small. Others wouldn’t have it any other way. A pool not only adds hours of enjoyment but also can add to the aesthetics of a home if it is set in an attractive setting. On those hot summer days it can also be very inviting and refreshing. It provides a place to unwind and relax as well as a form of exercise.
Another thing to consider is the neighborhood. The value of that pool may depend on what other homes are selling for in the area and whether they have a pool or not. If not very many neighbors have pools, then your value will not increase significantly. Choosing to purchase a home with a pool or whether to add a pool to your home is largely based on individual preference.
Another question is “Would it be better to repair in ground pool or fill it in for resale?” One of the drawbacks to filling in a pool without complete removal is that you limit the integrity of that space. It’s alot like buying a property with underground gas tanks in some way…even though they are empty etc. It now becomes a seller disclosure issue and will continuously raise some sort of red flag or concern for any buyer if they know there is a pool buried in the backyard. This could become an issue for sprinkler systems, landscaping and the overall use of the space in the future. On the flip side you can fill it in and disclose and maybe the cost would be less or the headache of repairs minimal…
I worry that if you fill it in you might find too many objections to the unknown with a buyer! The unknown is the buried pool rather than an operable pool that may be a considered amenity to someone rather than a liability.
Think about the outcome as if you were buying the property…put on an average buyers mindset and say…”would I buy a house with a buried pool in the backyard…what would my concerns and objections be”
Then consider it the other way…what are the objections to having an operable pool…See which outweighs and then if you can’t find a real objective position, ask your friends or neighbors for an objective point of view. As for my experiences…I would say fix the pool rather than fill it in purely for continued resale concerns.” However in many circumstances filling the pool area is an efficient/effective strategy, all real estate situations are always different.