Has putting in an inground pool brought down the value of your house when up for sale?

Question

I am not on either coast. I am in the Midwest. It seems that around here it is rumored to bring down the cost rather than add to it because of repair, upkeep...etc.

Answer 1

Depending on where you are in the Midwest, those rumors are right on the money. I am located in Wisconsin, and inground pools here are much more of a hindrance than an asset.

It is not uncommon to have a buyer write an offer for a property, contingent upon the seller removing the pool and equipment prior to close.

Given that we in the Midwest have only a few months where a pool is a real asset, folks seem to like the notion of a full backyard over that of one filled with water.

Answer 2

Pools whether inground or above ground do not add any value at all. They may actually bring down the value - depending on who wants to buy it. Some people look at them as nothing but work and a chore. Other people absolutely love them. So your value will stay about the same, but will go down if the perspective buyer does not like/want the pool.

Answer 3

Yes it can...I'll give you some good examples.

In Florida, where people use pools almost year-round...a nice pool can add a ton of value to a home, and in certain neighborhoods, it can make selling a home difficult if you don't have one.

In areas that aren't blessed with year-round summer...a pool can go either way...if you are the only one in the neighborhood that has one...it's a crap shoot...someone with children may not buy it and see it as a liablity...same with senior buyers. A young couple may be willing to pay top-dollar for a home with a nice pool for entertainment purposes.

It can go either way.

Answer 4

I'm in the Midwest too and around here it doesn't seem to have much impact on value at all unless it's in an upper-crust neighborhood. In those it seems to boost the value by about 20% - 50% of the installation cost at best.