Will a Swimming Pool Decrease the Value of My Home?

I get this question a lot, and the answer is complicated. Short answer?

Sometimes it does, but sometimes a pool increases the value of your home.

Let me explain.

A pool isn’t always the right choice for your home, your yard, or your neighborhood. In certain circumstances, no matter how well-designed the pool or professional your pool builders are, the greatest pool on the planet will ding your home’s resell value.

Of course, it’s up to your pool company to be up-front with you in the evaluation process—something too many builders are known for. They just want to dig a hole and take your money, that’s it.

I digress…because in many situations, a pool can do wonders for your home’s value. If you’re considering a swimming pool for your backyard, consider all of the following before you finalize your decision.

1. Will Your Pool Be Usable Throughout Most of the Year?

This is obviously one of the biggest factors in determining the value added by a swimming pool. Since you’re here, I’m going to assume you live in Southern California…in which case, you’re in luck.

Our Mediterranean climate knocks out one of the biggest worries from your decision-making process.

2. How Safe Will Your Pool Be?

For couples or single people, installing extra safety features like childproof locks or alarms or forgoing the diving board might not seem very important. But the peace of mind provided by these small investments is enough to put potential buyers with families at ease.

3. Do Your Neighbors Already Have Pools?

This might seem silly or counter-intuitive. At first glance, having a pool when the neighboring houses don’t have one can sound like a plus.

In practice, the opposite is often true—the few homes with pools in a relatively pool-less development get the short end of the stick in terms of resell value.

If your neighbors have pools or are planning to install pools, take it as a good omen for your own aquatic fortunes.

4. Does Your Pool Leave Room in Your Backyard?

It’s usually a bad idea to cram a pool into a very small yard. For starters, it doesn’t look visually appealing (which also contributes to a lower resell value).

But for families who are neutral or negative towards a pool, at least having room in the backyard for other activities—such as a garden, small playground, deck and patio, et cetera—are enough that the pool isn’t a net loss.

If your whole backyard is taken up by a pool, it’s like not having a yard at all.

5. Are You Able to Keep Up with Pool Maintenance?

Pools aren’t very high-maintenance, but like any structure they will fall into a state of disrepair if not properly maintained.

The last thing prospective home buyers want to see is a dilapidated, dirty swimming pool dominating the view behind your house.

Keep up with general care and maintenance, and all of a sudden you have a centerpiece to show off instead of an eyesore.

Swimming Pool Scorecard

If you’re able to check off each of these conditions before installing a pool, your home value is sure to increase. If not, don’t let that discourage you from building your dream pool—but don’t expect your home’s worth to skyrocket, either.