With summer just around the corner, residents of Bryan and College Station are scrambling to find ways to stay cool amidst the scorching heat. While staying inside and enjoying the modern day miracle that is air conditioning is one way to do this, many would still prefer to be outside. One practical solution? Investing in a backyard swimming pool. Chances are, this is no surprise. After all, if you were to take a stroll through Bryan or College Station, you’d see backyard swimming pools as commonplace for homeowners. And with summer highs averaging around 94 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s easy to see why. But is owning a swimming pool all that it’s cracked up to be? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.
Pros: A Swimming Pool Upgrades Your Backyard
First and foremost, having a swimming pool is an instant luxury. Whether you’re looking to get a few laps in before you start your day or are simply looking for a fun and refreshing activity to enjoy by yourself or with friends, both are practical and immediately accessible from the convenience of your backyard. And because Central Texas enjoys two growing seasons, hot temperatures are more the norm than not here, meaning your swimming pool will get plenty of use.
Pros: A Swimming Pool Enhances Your Social Life
Swimming pools have a knack for bringing people together. That’s because they’re the perfect setting for so many occasions. Whether you’re looking to put on a family reunion, plan a romantic evening, throw a child’s birthday party, or simply spend time with your family, you’ll find that owning a swimming pool will make you a very popular host. And decades later, you’re likely to find that many of your most cherished moments with your family and friends feature an aquatic touch. This makes your investment an invaluable one, as quality time with your loved ones is something you can’t put a price on!
Pros: A Swimming Pool Is Generally Considered to Be a Good Investment
For many homeowners in Bryan and College Station, Texas, the question of whether to get a swimming pool or not usually comes down to two financial considerations; the first being: is building a swimming pool a good investment? And the second being: can building a swimming pool help me sell my home fast? The answer to both of those questions is yes! According to the National Association of Realtors, an in-ground pool can increase your home’s value by about 5 percent. For the price most homes are going for, that can easily equate to tens of thousands of dollars, which can more than makeup for the initial cost of the pool. And since owning a swimming pool is fairly common amongst homeowners in Bryan and College Station, Texas, you’ll find it much easier to sell your property faster than if you didn’t.
Cons: You Aren’t Guaranteed a High Return On Your Investment
Despite most sources claiming that a swimming pool is a good investment (with most homeowners able to recoup 40 to 70 percent of their investment), it would be naive to think that there isn’t any risk involved with such a large purchase. After all, there is no guarantee that you’ll recover that amount or sell your home as fast as you’d prefer (although a good realtor in Bryan and College Station, TX can help!). On average, homeowners across the U.S. spend about $25,052 to install a swimming pool. However, in-ground models tend to fall on the higher end of the spectrum and can cost between $35,000 to $65,000, depending on the materials used to construct it. Additionally, you’ll likely need to contact a contractor during the winter in order to have your pool built in time for the summer.
Cons: Swimming Pool Maintenance Takes Work and Can Be Costly
According to a recent study by the emerging online bank, Chime, 54 percent of Americans across all generations are living paycheck-to-paycheck. If you’re a first-time homeowner and have never previously dealt with mortgage payments, it can be hard to fathom the cost of a swimming pool, let alone the additional costs involved with maintaining it. Annual upkeep, including repairs, electricity, water, and maintenance can cost homeowners between $3,000 and $5,000 per year. So, at best, you might be able to recover the cost of your initial installation upon selling your home, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover maintenance fees.
Cons: Safety Becomes a Top Concern
As fun as swimming is, it can also be dangerous—particularly for children. Believe it or not, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in children aged 1 to 14 years in the U.S. And insurance companies realize this, which is why owning a pool can increase your liability risk. It’s recommended that pool owners increase the liability portion of their homeowners’ policy to at least $300,000 to $500,000 more. Fortunately, it won’t break the bank to do so, as increasing your coverage from $100,000 to $500,000 will cost you about $30 a year. Still, your family’s safety is a top priority, so you’ll definitely want to establish some ground rules. If you have the resources, you might even find it a worthy investment to install motion detectors and cameras for your swimming area. Doing so might give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your new pool even more!
So, is having a swimming pool in Central Texas worth it? We’ll let you decide!
Myke Leatham
Brazos County Realty: Broker/Owner
Contact us: Office 979-693-0201