According to recent real estate data, as many as 20 percent of all homes on the market have a pool or spa, and as the temperature continues to rise, many prospective buyers may be adding these features to their wish list. While a pool or spa will most likely add to the price of a home, you’ll want to make sure you’re investing the extra money wisely.
If you’re buying a home with a pool and it hasn’t been opened yet for the summer, don’t just judge the condition from some photos included with the sales brochure as you can’t verify when the photos were taken and if the condition of the pool is the same. Even if the pool is opened and looks beautiful the day you visit the home, you still need to get things checked out to make sure there’s nothing wrong with it.
Pool inspections aren’t always top of mind when buying a home, but they are just as vital as checking the walls for mold or looking at the home’s foundation to ensure you’re not buying something you don’t want. A proper inspection of a pool or spa will reveal any problems, making the buyer more comfortable with proceeding with the purchase.
A professional pool inspector will inform the buyer about the condition of the pool and offer tips on how to remedy problems by providing the different options available and recommended materials and services for them to consider.
A typical pool inspection covers a lot of bases. Not only will all the equipment be checked—including the diving board and ensuring the proper amount of fittings are in place—the inspector will also look at the electrical system, safety controls and under-water lighting, in addition to making sure the step, drain designs and walk-surface perimeter are safe and secure.
Common problems typically include broken and cracked concrete slabs above plumbing, incorrect fittings, worn out plumbing parts, improper plumbing techniques, leaks, cracks in the pool’s foundation or bad pressure. The seller will need to provide written permission for the inspection company to gain access to the plumbing for pressure testing, which doesn’t harm the pool in any way.
Regardless of whether it’s summer or winter, all of the preceding items are verifiable. Even the proper winterization techniques can be verified during the inspection so things are properly safeguarded through the winter months.
Sellers may be wise to schedule an in-depth inspection to correct deficiencies, present the pool in a more positive manner, anticipate necessary negotiations and take care of minor problems in a leisurely manner.
So, before you dive right in to buying a home with a pool, make sure you hire a licensed pool inspector so that everything goes swimmingly.
To learn more about pool inspections, contact our office today.