I was at an appointment recently with a customer who asked a question that I’ve heard so many times before. In the midst of her struggle to justify a swimming pool purchase, this is what she said:
It’s a tough call. We are just not sure if we should take the plunge….I just wonder if a swimming pool worth the money we are going to put into it?
Ahh, the great debate, and one that could easily be argued on both sides. Do you take the plunge or not take the plunge? I empathize with your struggles and hope this discussion brings clarity to your question.
Pool guys are often times extremely biased. Heck, such can be said for anyone trying to sell a product and make a living. And although I’m not necessarily excluded from this group, I do own a pool. I’ve also assisted over 600 families in Central Texas in the purchase of a pool. So for those of you that are currently asking the question “Is it worth it?,” allow me to make a few points for your consideration:
1. Real Estate Value
Despite what you may have heard in the past, YES, an inground swimming pool does increase the value of your home. This is especially true because of modern technology like salt and fiberglass have changed the paradigm that ‘pools are a lot of work’. A few years ago, the National Association of Realtors stated that on average, an inground swimming pool will increase a home’s value by 4-6%. Therefore, on a $500,000 home, one could expect to get 20-30k in additional home value with a pool purchase. No, this does not typically cover the entire cost of the pool project, but yes it does certainly make up quite a bit of the difference.
2. The Impact on Children
I love my child. I love watching her play. Her laughter brings me joy. And our time with her as parents is finite. Now I know some parents out there can’t wait for the day when their kids are out of the home, but let me clearly state for the record that I don’t fall in this category. Although I know the birdie eventually must fly from its nest and build its own home, I’m not going to push that birdie out. In other words, I’m going to enjoy ever moment of this wonderful gift called parenthood, and I can definitively say that owning a swimming pool adds incredibly to this time period and the joys that come with it.
3. A Family Affair
Children aren’t the only ones that benefit from swimming pool ownership. In fact, I have many customers that are grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc-each looking forward to the times they’ll share with their family in the backyard in and around the swimming pool. Basically, the pool is a hub for all of us to play, talk, laugh, and genuinely pass quality time together without the normal distractions of the world.
4. The Community
Although this may not be for everyone, it has brought my family great joy to have youth groups and church activities at our home and swimming pool. Many of these people, because we live in such a rural area, don’t have the opportunities to swim in a pool very often. Owning a pool has strengthened our relationships with these great people whom we otherwise would not have gotten to know so well.
5. Creating a ‘Staycation’
I’m sure by now you’ve heard the new phrase ‘Staycation‘. For those of you that haven’t, it means to ‘Stay’ (at home) and have a ‘vacation’. This word entered the modern vernacular in the early 2000s, and is likely a result of 911 and the fact that more and more people decided to stay home and invest in their backyards instead of going on cruises, traveling, etc. I know many customers that have taken ‘Staycations’ at their home since buying a pool and not only have they saved quite a bit of money, but they’ve also have told me such respites have been surprisingly entertaining and some of the best vacations they’ve ever shared as a family.
Well I hope these 5 points give those of who are debating the merits of swimming pool ownership a more clear idea of the beauties of such an investment. Although it may sound cliché, money comes in and out of our lives, but the memories we create as family and friends are something that will last forever and simply have no price tag.
As always, happy swimming and I hope everyone is having a great and safe summer thus far.
