- PROs: 1 - Social benefits
- PROs 2 - Physical and mental health benefits
- PROs 3 - Good look for your home
- CONs 1 - High maintenance
- CONs 2 - Safety issues
- CONs 3 - Extra insurance costs
- CONs 4 - Financial implication
Everyone wants a home with a pool.
How amazing would it be if you could enjoy the long, lazy South African summers at the poolside with the braai going and a cold one in your hand?
All of this in the comfort of your own yard and you don’t have to share it with anyone else.
This might seem idyllic, but the truth is that a home with a pool isn’t all sunshine and sunscreen. It is a lot of work to maintain and many buyers don’t always realise that.
If you are looking for a home with a pool, consider the pros and cons first as lined up below:
Pros
1 – Social benefits
As mentioned above, nothing beats the privacy of having your own pool.
If you have kids, they will certainly enjoy it the most and it will definitely become their headquarters once they reach their teens.
2 – Physical and mental health benefits
If you are a swimmer, the pool can double as your gym. You don’t have to rush to hit the gym before closing time – you can go for a few laps whenever you want to.
It is also a great way to unwind. Grab a book and a pool float to destress after a long week.
It is also a great way for your kids to learn how to swim in a safe and familiar environment.
3 – Good look for your home
A properly designed pool area can act as a stunning part of your landscaping. The right plants and décor placed around it can really help in creating your own little piece of paradise.
You can also play around with the shape of the pool to match your surroundings. A rock pool looks great with a few succulents around it or you can opt for an infinity pool overlooking the rest of your property.
Even though these pros are all amazing and they sound wonderful, you need to be realistic, too. Here are some of the cons of having a pool.
Cons
1 – High maintenance
This is a killer if you don’t have the budget for pool services.
Despite all the gadgets and chemicals that pool companies sell to you, you still need to monitor it and work on it every once in a while.
The design, the planning, the size, and construction is just the tip of the iceberg. You need to also factor in insurance costs, maintenance, and upkeep.
If you have kids you can always make it part of their chores but what happens when they move out? Will you be able to maintain the pool in the years to come?
2 – Safety issues
You need to consider safety when buying a home with a pool. Concerns regarding drowning are common, especially if you have small children.
A pool attracts (unnecessary) attention and if you are the only house on the road with a pool, intruders will probably target you first. You also need to think of proper fencing if you buy a house with a pool.
3 – Extra insurance costs
Safety issues lead to extra insurance costs that will cover in the event of an accident.
One thing to consider is liability coverage and adding an umbrella policy to your homeowner’s coverage with the added liability that comes with having a pool.
4 – Financial implication
Swimming pools aren’t always a good financial deal when you want to sell your home.
Consider the area where you want to live. In some neighbourhoods, it might increase the value of the home but in others, it might decrease the value.
Owning a pool can be great but you should be willing to deal with the cons when having one.
