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Between soaring summer temperatures and record heat waves becoming more common in nearly every part of Canada, who hasn’t dreamed about having a big, beautiful pool right in their own backyard?
But while a pool can be a private oasis during those hot summer days, if you’re considering buying a home with a pool, there are a few things you may want to think about before you dive in.
Your family’s lifestyle
The first question to ask yourself is this: is owning a pool a good fit for your lifestyle?
If you take extended vacations every summer, or spend your evenings and weekends taking the kids to softball practice, you might not use a pool often enough for it to be worth the time and expense. But if your family loves nothing more than spending warm summer days relaxing in the backyard, a pool might be a perfect fit.
“Owning a home with a pool can be a fantastic addition to your lifestyle,” says Jane Hoffman, President of Unison Jane Hoffman Realty and a REALTOR® in Kelowna, British Columbia. “Pools can be a perfect space for family recreation and bonding. If you enjoy swimming and outdoor activities, a pool can significantly enhance your living experience. Pools also add a beautiful ambiance to your backyard, creating an ideal space for entertaining.”
The size, type, and style of the pool
Next, decide if the pool that’s already there is the right size, style, and type for your family.
For example, is the existing pool large enough for your family and friends? Is it the shape you want? Is it located in the right part of the yard? Or does it have a traditional chlorine sanitization system, but you prefer a saltwater pool for easier maintenance and fewer harsh chemicals?
In most cases, it costs more to replace an existing pool than to build a new one. So if the existing pool isn’t big enough, isn’t the right type of pool or doesn’t have the features you want, it may make more sense to buy a home without a pool and have a new one installed instead—or to continue searching.
“Purchasing a house with a pool means you don’t have to live through the permit applications, the construction process, or the added [initial] expense,” explains Chris O’Donnell, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Pool Craft, a pool installation, renovation, and service company in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
“But you also don’t get to customize the space to your taste,” she adds. “Building a pool means you’re in control of the design, and you can get all the features exactly as you want.”
What condition is it in?
It’s also a good idea to find out everything you can about the condition of the pool. Is it in good shape? Are there any cracks or big-ticket repairs that need to be fixed in the next two, five, or 10 years? How many years does the pool have left in it?
If the pool is above-ground, the condition and longevity may not be as important, because it’s usually much easier to remove, repair or replace an above-ground pool than an in-ground model. But if the pool is a permanent, in-ground feature of the home, it’s almost certainly worth taking a little extra time to find out exactly what state it’s in before you make any final decisions.
According to O’Donnell, some problems, like rust or damage underneath the liner, can also be hard for anyone but an expert to spot. So if you aren’t sure what condition the pool is in, you may want to hire a pool inspector to take a closer look.
“If the opportunity exists to have the pool inspected prior to making an offer, it may be worth taking the time to have a professional look at it,” she says. “A tech will come out, examine the recirculation system and let you know what type of pool is in the ground.”
A pool inspection would be in addition to your home inspection—they’re separate professions. In fact, don’t be surprised if your home inspector includes a disclaimer that states they’re not liable if there ends up being any damage to the pool.
Here are some questions you can ask when you’re looking at a home with a pool, before you call in the pool inspector:
- Is the pool builder’s warranty still in effect? If so, for how much longer?
- Can the current owners provide a water utility bill from the previous summer to verify the water consumption?
- How often was maintenance and upkeep performed on the filter?
- What sanitation system is being used, when was it installed, and are there any issues with it?
- How often was maintenance and upkeep performed on the entire pool?
- Does the pool have a heating system that’s in working condition?
- Is the pump working properly, including the timer?
- How old is the pool?
- Have there been issues with mold or other substances in the past?
- Have you ever had to deal with cracks in the pool or damages to the lining?
The costs of owning a pool
Unfortunately, all the fun and freedom of owning a pool doesn’t come cheap.
Between cleaning, maintenance and repairs, the cost of opening and closing your pool each year, the inevitable bump in your homeowner’s insurance premiums, and all the equipment and accessories you’ll need to buy, owning a pool can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a year.
“There are many variables when it comes to the cost of running a pool,” O’Donnell explains. “On the low end, a pool can cost $1,000 annually. On the high end, $8,000. Energy-efficient equipment lowers the cost, and staying on top of water chemistry can prevent unnecessary expenses. Pool use, size, equipment, and whether you maintain it yourself or hire a professional to manage it for you can also all add to the cost.”
Monthly costs can also vary considerably depending on the type of sanitization system the pool uses. While saltwater pools generally cost more upfront to install, for instance, they’re also usually much cheaper and easier to clean and maintain than a chlorinated pool.
On the plus side, while market trends vary and not every buyer wants a pool, a pool can often boost your home’s curb appeal and resale value when it’s time to sell. This is especially true if you live in an area with long, hot summers.
“In warm climates like the Okanagan, B.C., a pool is a highly sought-after feature for many buyers,” Hoffman says. “Homes priced at $1.5 million and higher often feature pools as a desirable amenity, which can enhance the appeal and value of your property. As you move into the $2 to $3 million price point, a pool is almost an expectation.”
Time vs. money
The other big factor to keep in mind is how much time you’ll have to spend maintaining your pool instead of simply enjoying it.
“There are lots of variables, depending on whether you do most of the cleaning and maintenance yourself, or hire a pool service company to do it for you,” O’Donnell says. But on average, most homeowners can expect to spend between a few hours a month to several hours a week depending on their pool’s size, condition and features.
This includes weekly chores like:
- skimming out dirt and debris;
- cleaning the strainer basket;
- scrubbing the pool floor and walls to prevent algae from building up;
- vacuuming the pool to clean everything the filter doesn’t catch; and
- testing the water to see if you need to add any chemicals or adjust the pH balance.
Safety first
Of course, when it comes to owning a pool, safety is always No. 1. As the homeowner, you’re liable for any accidents that occur in or around your pool. So it’s up to you to do everything you can to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“If you have children or pets, an automatic pool cover is essential,” Hoffman says. A manual, crank-operated cover can also be an effective (and less expensive) alternative. But just remember that manual covers usually take two people to operate safely, and many homeowners don’t relish the idea of hand-cranking their cover open and shut before and after every use.
“Pools also generally need to be in a fully fenced and gated yard,” Hoffman adds. While the regulations can vary from one province, municipality or even district to another, having a fence around your pool is always a good idea, and many jurisdictions make it mandatory for both in-ground and even most above-ground pools to be fully enclosed to reduce the chance of accidents.
Alarms, motion sensors and cameras can also all help keep those in and around the pool safe. The precise regulations, requirements and restrictions can be different for each province and municipality. So check your local regulations, or ask your REALTOR® for help.
In terms of maintenance, safety also means knowing when you can do it yourself, and when to call in the professionals.
“Opening and closing, weekly maintenance and water balancing can all be managed by savvy homeowners,” O’Donnell says. “Leak detection, equipment or liner replacement, and repairs in general should be handled by the pros.”
If you decide to buy a house with a pool, REALTOR.ca’s filters allow you to narrow down your property search with specific key terms. In the first quarter of 2024, “pool” was the third-most popular keyword searched by visitors when browsing listings.
Whatever you choose, be sure to ask your REALTOR® for advice. An experienced REALTOR® can help you wade through the options, weigh the pros and cons, and make the best choice for your family.
