Summer is on its way, and many people find themselves wishing for a backyard pool. Often, it’s easier to buy a home that already has one than to install a new one, especially if you plan to move soon anyway.
Between hosting backyard pool parties, the convenience of cooling off when the sun is shining, and having a solid excuse to buy cute, unicorn pool floats, there are plenty of reasons why buying a property with a pool may seem like a good decision. But despite all the pros, consider the cons before you dive into a pool purchase.
What should you look for in your next home? Our Buyer’s Guide can help you navigate today’s market to find the perfect house in Toronto’s West End. Download your copy for free right here.
1) Inspector Gadget
If you’ve fallen in love with a house that has a pool, book an appointment with a certified pool company to conduct a full inspection. The water lines should be leak-free, the pump pressure tested and the heater in top-notch condition. The equipment, such as the cover and safety fencing, need to be looked over too. Problems begin to arise as the pool ages, so ask the sellers for installation dates and any repairs that have been done over the years.
Planning to buy a home in Toronto’s West End? The resources below can set you up for success:
- What Should You Look for in a Home Inspection Report?
- 5 Little Known Things to Look For When Touring a Home
- 5 Questions to Ask About a Home Before Making an Offer
2) Research, Research, & Research
Do pools add value to a home? Like beauty, value is in the eye of the beholder. When it comes to buying West Toronto real estate, knowledge is key. Find out what the municipal bylaws are around private pools — there may be restrictions that need to be taken into consideration. Talk to a reliable pool company about maintenance and annual repairs costs, and think about who will clean it and treat the water. It’s also smart to look at recent, in-the-neighbourhood sales of properties with and without pools to see if their investments of time and money paid off when it came time to resell.
3) High Costs
Although having your neighbours over sounds like a great idea, they aren’t going to fund the pool’s heating bill or your yearly maintenance costs. Get an idea of what the sellers spend so that you have a better idea of what your financial commitments would be. Also, protect yourself from unexpected water-related costs by putting a condition in the offer for a full pool inspection. Many home buyers made a purchase dreaming of fun in the sun, only to find themselves weighing the pros and cons of filling in a pool a few years later. If you decide it’s what you want, be sure to account for the extra costs that will arise from time to time.
4) Time Management
Beyond the financial commitment, you should also think about how much time you’re realistically able to spend cleaning, treating, and maintaining that pool. If you go on extended yearly vacations or head up to the cottage every weekend, will you actually have time to enjoy the pool? Look at your life and see if there’s room to really use this investment to its fullest.
5) Safety First
An outdoor pool can be the fun, family-friendly focal point of a backyard…but only if you feel safe having it. Secure pool fencing and locking gates are a must to protect kids — and pets — from getting into the water. Taking out liability insurance is something to consider too, especially if you plan on hosting pool parties.
Where in the West End should you begin your home search? The related reads from our Best of the West End series could help you find a starting point:
- Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Entertainment Lovers
- Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Active Retirees
- Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Foodies
6) Value Added
To figure out if a pool will increase or decrease the resale value of your new house, take a good look around you. Is it in a good location? Does it get plenty of light? Survey the other properties in the area to determine if there are an abundance of pools; not having one could affect future pricing because it’s an expected asset. But if the house is perfect and a pool is still not for you, remember that there are economical ways to fill it in.
After carefully considering all the pros and cons, all that’s left to do now is figure out what’s best for your family. Sure, there are costs involved, but no one can deny that having a backyard pool is loads of fun for a family and can be a backyard memory maker. Decisions, decisions, decisions…
If you have questions about buying your next home, our West Toronto real estate agents can be sure you make an informed choice. Reach out today at 416-769-3437 or email info@sidorovainwood.com to learn more about our services.
