Your Property Value and Adding a Swimming Pool

Living in Texas where the weather allows pool-time to happen pretty much any time, it makes sense to think about adding an in-ground pool. You may wonder if having a pool has an impact on your property value and is the right choice for your home. These are good points to consider if you’re thinking of reselling your home in the future or wondering if there are any tax credits available to homeowners with a pool. Let’s dive in.

Pools and Your Property Value

Living around the Houston area makes it ideal for year-round swimming. Adding an in-ground pool can have a positive impact on your property value. Higher-end neighborhoods are also more amenable to pools that increase a home’s resale value and the community’s value. This is especially true for neighborhoods where most homes have a pool. You don’t want your home to be one of the few without one.

Some recent studies have this to say about how much value is added by installing a pool:

· One HouseLogic study suggests an increase of 7 percent.

· A HGTV report suggests an increase of 5 to 8 percent.

Points to Consider Before Adding a Pool

Before building a pool take these things into consideration:

Local zoning requirements.

Don’t break ground until you’ve met with a zoning consultant. Some localities have strict maintenance and liability laws regarding swimming pools. It’s vital to be informed before you begin.

Consider the type of pool and features you want.

Make an appointment to speak with a pool expert. You’ll discuss not only size and location for placing the pool but also things such as will the pool be vinyl-lined, fiberglass, or concrete. You’ll also consider any features you’d like included such as lighting, dynamic jets, an added hot tub, or waterfalls. There are numerous options and these will factor into the planning and your budget.

During this time, you’ll also consider what you’d like for the landscaping around your pool. Adding more shade trees, planting a lush garden or even installing a pebble border around the pool deck could be options. Talking with a landscaper will give you some inspirational ideas and answers.

Learn about the circulation system.

As you learn about the circulation system options available, another choice will be if you prefer chlorine or salt water, indoor or out. Swimming in fresh and sparkling clean water is the goal. The right system is needed to accomplish this.

Pool maintenance.

The pool expert will inquire about how much time you have available to maintain your pool. Some homeowners will prefer to hire trained and certified pool technicians to keep the pool well maintained and others will tackle the job themselves. It’s important to understand what’s required so you can make an informed decision.

Know your budget.

Now that you have some quotes from the experts and have honed in things you like and need, it’s time to compare everything to your budget. You may want to meet with your financial advisor to see if the costs and benefits of adding a pool to your property make sense for your property.

When a Pool Offers a Tax Break

Did you know that in certain situations you can deduct the cost of your swimming pool on your tax return? The determining factor is if your pool is considered a medical home improvement expense related to a certain medical conditions by you or someone residing in your home. Your medical doctor would need to advise you to install a pool for use as part of your health care protocol.

Individuals who have osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and chronic pain have been proven to find benefit from use of a pool for their physical therapy. Pool therapy is especially beneficial for those who are unable to put their full weight on their legs.

Discuss the possibilities of installing a pool as part of your physical therapy plan with your medical team and with your tax preparer. Your doctor can provide the necessary documentation to provide to the IRS during tax preparations. Your tax preparer will help you determine how much of the installation cost and on-going maintenance upkeep you are eligible to deduct as a tax credit.

If you’re shopping for a home with an existing pool or enough yard space to build your own pool, I can help. Schedule an appointment today and we’ll work to get you and your family splashing around and enjoying some water fun.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.