Is buying a home with a pool right for you?

Question: Dear Kari, My husband and I are having issues when it comes to buying a home with a pool. I want one and he does not. I can think of many advantages to include having friends over constantly, as we are inclined to enjoy company. Please provide some good information on the benefits of buying a home with a pool already in place. Answer: Thank you for your question, and I am going to work with the understanding we are referring to an in-ground pool. Consider that buying a home with a pool can be exciting. The pleasure of lounging poolside, cooling off with a dip on a hot day, hours of outdoor entertainment, swimming, water exercise, enhancement of outdoor BBQs and parties with family, friends and neighbors is a delight. Having your own beautiful water oasis in your backyard can offer luxury living and make a big difference in lifestyle. You can save money by vacationing at home, plus adding more value to your home's worth, especially in the warmer climate of California. Let's start with if you are making an offer on a home with a pool, it is highly recommend you conduct a separate pool inspection. This is because general home inspections might not cover all the necessary aspects of the pool's components and conditions. A specialized pool inspector can find potential problems that could be very costly to repair, including leaks and faulty equipment. They will also check for safety regulation requirements or even structural issues. Make sure to be on site when this inspection takes place and ask as many questions as possible. Then, based on the inspection findings, you might want to consider negotiating repair costs with the homeowner or ask them to make repairs before you close on the home sale. In the event the cost of repairs is too large and/or the homeowner is not willing to take responsibility, you might want to walk away from the home and find another home with a better pool scenario. Swimming pool questions to ask the homeowner before committing to the completion of the home sale would be: · What is the age of the pool? · Did the homeowners install the pool themselves? · Which company installed the pool? · Were permits pulled and finalized for the installation? · Has there ever been a leak in the pool? · What is the number and placement of drains and returns? · How old is all of the pool equipment? · Is there a warranty? · What, if any, repairs were made to the pool including equipment? Additional factors to consider: Know that a pool involves ongoing maintenance costs, which include cleaning, chemical balancing and equipment upkeep. Another option is to hire a professional pool service which can come in once a week and perform maintenance. This cost could be between $175 to $300 per month, depending on the pool size. Owning a pool can impact your homeowner's insurance policy. It's important to understand how having a pool can affect your liability and whether additional coverage is necessary. Some insurance providers may require specific safety features as a condition for the coverage. Safety is an utmost concern when it comes to pool ownership, especially if children are present. You might need to install and maintain safety measures, including fences, locks, pool covers and alarms to prevent potential accidents. Many long-term homeowners with a pool will tell you taking care of their pool is well worth their return on investment by creating long-lasting memorable times and all the enjoyment it provides. I hope this information finds you well in helping you with your home decision process.