I get asked this question all the time. Let me answer it this way: Does a Boat add value to your home? Does an RV add value to your home? Does taking a Vacation add value to your home? You know the resounding answer. What they all do is create special memories. Memories of family and fun, friendships, get-togethers, cook outs and social gatherings. An in-ground swimming pool not only creates special memories, it also provides an added wonderful outdoor living space.
Granite Countertops, Stained Concrete Floors, Viking Cook Tops, Sub Zero Refrigerators are considered luxury items for the home. Do they add more equity to the home? Who knows what someone else will place value on. Home appraisers won’t give you much equity for them either. But one thing is for sure, they don’t add memories. What we once thought our homes were worth are not worth that today. Lots of people are "underwater" in what their homes are really worth based on what they owe on it. So what does one do? Wait for the housing market to “come back”. Is your home your best investment anymore. Who knows what going forward.
There are people who go thru life placing dollar signs on everything they observe and research. These are the same people who convince themselves that owning something like a Boat, RV, Motorcycle, and yes, even a Pool, are not a good “investment”. ( I bet they still have trouble believing in Santa Claus ). What we are talking about here is "investing" in your lifestyle and creating those special moments that last a lifetime. What we are further discussing is taking many backyards that are currently wastelands and turning them into private resorts. As I get older, I see how fast time flies and how short life really is. I don't know about you, but maybe its time to seize the moment.
So when people ask me, Does a Pool Add Value To My Home? Well, what does family fun, that place for gathering friends, building relationships, having the children and grandkids over to your place mean to you. I don’t know how much emphasis you place on that -- only you can answer that question. If it all creates more memories and a lifetime of enjoyment, then maybe you got your monies worth, or better yet, the added "value" to your home.
OBTW: Now perhaps you'll see why I always chuckle when someone says to me, "I won't get anything for the pool when i sell my house"......
