Living in Central Florida, having a swimming pool is almost a way of life. With our warm weather, long summers, and the ability to enjoy the outdoors for most of the year, it's easy to understand why so many buyers put a pool on their wish list.
But here's a question I get from buyers: Is it better to purchase a home that already has a pool or buy a home without one and add it later?
I've sold plenty of homes both ways, and I have some personal experience with this one, too.
Let Me Take You Back to 2001
When I purchased my home in Ocoee back in 2001, it was brand-new construction. There was no swimming pool, so if I wanted one, I had to build it.
Back then, you could get a pretty nice swimming pool and spa, complete with a screened enclosure, for around $35,000. I know. Those were the days!
Fast-forward to today, and it's an entirely different conversation. Depending on the size, design, materials, features, and enclosure, a new pool project can easily climb into six figures. I've seen projects where homeowners are spending more than $100,000 to create the backyard they've been dreaming about.
My Advice? Buy the Pool With the House If You Can.
If you're shopping for a home in Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, Clermont, or anywhere else in Central Florida, and you know you want a swimming pool, I would strongly encourage you to look at homes that already have one.
You still need to love the house. You need to like the floor plan, the location, the condition, and everything else that matters to you. I would never suggest buying the wrong house simply because there's a beautiful pool in the backyard.
But if you can find a home you love that already has a pool you like, you're probably going to be financially ahead compared with buying a similar home and building a pool from scratch.
Watch: Buy a Pool Home or Build One Later?
Here's my two-minute take on what buyers should know.
Watch my pool-home video on YouTube
That $100,000 Pool Doesn't Necessarily Add $100,000 in Value
Just because you spent $100,000 building a swimming pool doesn't mean your home is suddenly worth $100,000 more. Not even close in many cases.
In my experience selling homes throughout Central Florida, when comparing otherwise similar properties, one with a pool and another without, I've often seen the price difference fall somewhere around $15,000 to $20,000.
Now, that's not a hard-and-fast rule. A pool's value can vary significantly based on the price range, neighborhood, quality of construction, condition, and what buyers expect in that particular market.
A beautifully designed pool at a luxury home in Windermere may influence value very differently than a basic swimming pool at a modestly priced home in Ocoee. Don't assume you're going to recover everything you spend building one.
Before You Fall in Love With That Pool, Have It Inspected
Just because a home already has a swimming pool doesn't mean you're getting a bargain. I've seen buyers walk into a backyard, see a beautiful blue swimming pool, and immediately fall in love with it.
Pool finishes don't last forever. You could easily find yourself looking at a repair bill around $10,000 or more, depending on the pool and the work involved.
The pump, filter, heater, plumbing, electrical components, automation, and any saltwater system should also be evaluated. And if there's a screened enclosure, its condition matters, too.
My recommendation is simple: Get a separate inspection performed by a qualified pool professional.
Don't Forget That Pool Problems Can Be Negotiated
Let's say you find the perfect home, but your pool inspector determines the surface is approaching the end of its useful life. Does that mean you should walk away? Not necessarily.
Depending on the contract, inspection period, seller's motivation, and overall market conditions, you may be able to negotiate a price reduction, a seller credit, or an appropriate repair. And please don't guess at the cost. Get an estimate from a qualified pool contractor.
What About Buying a Home Without a Pool and Building One?
Maybe you've found the exact home you've been looking for, but it doesn't have a pool. Or perhaps you're planning to stay in the home for the next 15 or 20 years, and creating your ideal backyard is something you're willing to invest in.
Then by all means, explore building one. Just make sure you do your homework before purchasing the property. Consider setbacks, easements, drainage, construction access, HOA restrictions, and permitting.
And remember, if you're adding a pool after closing, you're also dealing with construction, inspections, landscaping repairs, and potentially months of disruption.
Don't Forget the Ongoing Expenses
Pools require regular care. There's the electricity to operate the equipment, water chemistry, cleaning, occasional repairs, and the inevitable replacement of equipment as it ages.
None of these things should necessarily discourage you from buying a pool home. I certainly enjoy having a pool myself. But buyers should understand the responsibilities before jumping in. And yes, I intended that pun.
So, What's My Final Recommendation?
If I were buying a home today and knew I wanted a swimming pool, my first choice would be to find a home I loved that already had one.
But I would absolutely make sure the pool was properly inspected, understand its age and condition, and factor any upcoming expenses into my offer and negotiations.
The bottom line is that a pool is a wonderful lifestyle feature, but it's not automatically a dollar-for-dollar investment.
If you're considering buying or selling a pool home in Central Florida, I'd be happy to help you evaluate your options and make an informed decision.
David Dorman | Broker Associate
CENTURY 21 Carioti
2747 Maguire Road, Ocoee, FL 34761
https://daviddorman.com
Licensed since 1999, David is a longtime Ocoee resident and award-winning Central Florida real estate professional serving Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, Orlando, Gotha, Clermont, Minneola, Groveland, Apopka, Dr. Phillips, Bay Hill and surrounding communities.
When you hire David Dorman you GET David Dorman.