August 10, 2006

Swimming Pools and Home's Value

Swimming Pools

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Maybe the sweltering days of summer have you wishing for a pool as a backyard oasis.

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Like Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," who fantasizes about buying an in-ground pool with his holiday bonus, you can see it already: the crystal clear water, the poolside deck, the floating raft just waiting for you to climb on and sunbathe.

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You're not alone.

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Some real estate professionals caution that a swimming pool can be a deterrent to some buyers when the home goes back on the market; having an in-ground pool in the backyard has the potential to dissuade an interested buyer with no desire for the feature or the maintenance it demands.

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Still, Americans apparently can't stay away from buying personal water wonderlands, according to statistics compiled by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. It isn't just the pool itself, either; many times the backyard investment continues poolside with the installation of homey decks and outdoor kitchens.
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