Homes for sale with the right pool surface with more value

Several years ago, I sold a La Mesa pool with a house attached to it.

With the touch of a button, rainforest waterfalls cascaded from a pedestrian bridge that spanned one end of the pool to the other. Swimmers enjoyed cocktails from the swim-up bar or sipped their drinks from patio tables on concrete islands in the pool. Additionally, there were caves, a 70′ water slide, and a Tiki Hut right out of Gilligan’s Island. The pool was so Wow, the property received thousands of views and saves on Zillow. Airbnb guests were paying $1000 per night to stay at the property and this was six years ago.

I sold the property for about $1M. At the time, homes in the neighborhood were selling in the $400ks at the low end and $700ks at the high end. Without the pool, the home, which was dated and in need of some repair, would have probably sold in the $600ks.

So, do pools add value? They sure can if done right.

Almost all of the most spectacular homes I have sold had pools to match. There are neighborhoods in San Diego County where having a pool is practically required. A Rancho Santa Fe agent once told me, “There is no such thing as a home in Rancho Santa Fe without a pool. It just isn’t done.”

She was barely exaggerating.

Of the 192 detached homes sold in the last year in Rancho Santa Fe, 163 had swimming pools or 85%. Contrast that with La Mesa where of the 556 detached homes sold in the last year, 114 of them had swimming pools, or 20%.

Unless one is a general contractor, it is never a good idea to undertake a large, expensive house project like building a swimming pool with the goal of selling your home. Often the time and investment do not translate to increased net proceeds. Building an in-ground swimming pool is very expensive. Google says a pool in San Diego can be built for as little as $17,500. Two swimming pool contractors I spoke with laughed out loud at that figure. One pool company said costs to build an in-ground swimming pool start at around $50k-$60k, the other contractor quoted starting price at $100k.

Time is also a consideration.

From concept to your first cannonball in the deep end can take up to one year, so if you want to throw a pool party this 4^th of July, you are already behind schedule. This time of year, when the weather is cool, is the best time to build a pool. Once it is 100 degrees outside, pool contractors get very busy. Construction will take anywhere from 90-180 days.

Lastly, taste is subjective.

That volcano you’re dying to place in the middle of your pool will be an expense the future buyer will pay to have it removed (true story of a home I sold in Rolling Hills Ranch).

Based on my 20+ years of selling San Diego County real estate, if you’re going to build a swimming pool, do it for your enjoyment but if you think you may sell your home one day, keep these tips in mind for better resale value:

Do:

Make sure to have maximum privacy. Buyers always scope neighbors’ windows to see if they have views of the pool. If neighbors can see into the pool, plant bamboo or palms for a natural barrier or build a high fence.
Keep proportion in mind. A pool that takes up the entire backyard turns off buyers.
Build the pool fairly close to the house. Buyers do not want to take a zipline or gondola to get to the pool.
Match the style of the pool to the style of the house. Vintage homes should have vintage-style pools. Conversely, modern homes should have modern pools.
Consider adding a spa and outdoor kitchen and lounge. Make the pool area an outdoor, California lifestyle.
Solar panels are a great way to heat pools and add months of swimming fun.
Factor in the purpose of the pool: exercise? laps? volleyball? kiddie play? resort aesthetics?
Keep in mind a rectangle pool might be the least expensive to build but also the least energy efficient. Water flows better and more efficiently with kidney-shaped pools or pools with curves.
Study finishes. That bright blue Crest toothpaste color pool has a white finish and screams 1970s. Darker finishes seem to please buyers more.

Don’t

Build the pool too close to the house, no one wants to walk through sliders and step directly into the pool. Build at least 15′-20′ from the house.
Build the pool in the front yard.
Think above-ground pools will add value to your property, they don’t.
Cut corners using materials that won’t last long or wear well. Avoid vinyl pools.
Choose weird colors or bizarre designs or crazy tiles.
Add a diving board unless you want to pay extra for home insurance. Many insurance companies won’t cover homes with diving boards.
DIY. Get the proper permits (usually a 30-day process) and hire a licensed, reputable pool company with lots of good reviews.