Traditionally, the “Great Australian Dream” has been a home on a quarter-acre block.
Today, we’ve shifted our standards, and many buyers will gladly swap the space for the luxury of a swimming pool.
However, buying a home with a pool can be a tricky business.
If you’ve found an ideal property that has an aging pool, it may not be the dream opportunity you assume it to be.
In most cases, it can be more expensive to renovate or extend a pool than build one from scratch.
So, if you’re seeking a home with a pool, you might be well-served by considering those properties with space for a new pool, and you can design and build it to your specifications.
You should be diligent in ensuring any pool is well maintained and has a long lifespan. Hire an expert contractor or expert to assess its structural integrity. You don’t want to find the pool has a crack and is leaking water.
Even though you might have a legal avenue to pursue the previous owner over misrepresentation, who needs that saga?
Below, we offer guidelines on how to assess a backyard swimming pool:
Longevity: You should ask the age of the pool and seek records on any maintenance or repairs that have been undertaken. Talk to pool retailers or experts about how many years the pool might have left before major work may be necessary.
Hidden secrets: It can be very difficult to identify problems, especially with an in-ground pool. Damage to the pool liner and or rust to the steel structure can be near-impossible to identify unless you’re an expert in the field.
Expert Opinion: A pool inspection would be additional to the building inspection that you’d commission. Indeed, a builder may insert a disclaimer so they’re not held responsible for the pool. A pool technician will examine the recirculation system and assess the structure.
More questions: Ask if the warranty has expired and verify water consumption, especially over summer. Seek a test of any heating system and have the pump and timer checked. Ask the pool technician to look for signs of mould.
Cost factor: Finally, make sure you understand the costs of owning a heated swimming pool. And ask yourself if you are willing to spend time maintaining and cleaning it.