POOL HOMES IN FLORIDA
Is a pool a good investment or a bad one? Well it’s about 95 degrees today with 100% humidity so today I’d say YES!
In any case pool homes is what we are talking about today, so let’s get to it.
Hi everyone Kim Devlin with Your Key to St Augustine where I talk about all things St Augustine and St Johns County FL
If you’ve watched any of my other videos, you already know that there are some key features to prioritize in your St. Augustine home search like: Location, lifestyle, renovation costs, and community amenities.
One other feature you are likely to come across in Florida is the convenient and refreshing option of a pool home but pools can be either the best asset in your home, or your worst nightmare… So, let’s talk about the pros and cons of owning a home with a pool and whether adding one is a “sink or swim” investment!
BUYING A HOME WITH A POOL
In general, adding a swimming pool won’t increase the value of your home beyond the cost of the pool itself but pool homes in Northeast Florida sell at an average of 12% higher than non-pool homes. Remember though, this area is cooler in the winter so you are less likely to use the pool year round if moving to the St Johns County FL area.
So let’s talk about some of the pros and cons to keep in mind when considering a pool home.
PRO #1 – endless entertainment and exercise for the whole family. Are your Kids home all summer or do you have friends and family visit often. Well having a pool in your backyard is always a go to spot especially in the heat of the summer.
CON #1 – maintenance can be expensive, whether you Do It Yourself or hire a pool servicing company. If you hire a company it could be anywhere from $80 to $150 a month depending on the type and size pool you have.
PRO #2 – You can’t have a pool and not be the cool neighbors, so if you are someone who loves to be the party house on the street, your pool can easily make that happen. Maybe even invest in some of those fun floats shaped like flamingos and donuts because who doesn’t love flamingos and donuts!
CON #2 – Safety and Insurance. A pool inherently involves some risk to any swimmer and especially to the little ones. You will be required to carry additional homeowners insurance and will also need to secure access to the pool by fencing or adding a screened enclosure.
but….PRO #3 – Swimming lessons. If you do have little ones in Florida, learning water safety and becoming a confident swimmer is very important. Having the opportunity to teach them at home can help prepare them for any future adventures at the beach, the springs, or pool parties
CON #3 – You might never leave your house. Why go and fight for a parking space at a crowded beach when you have the warm sun and cool waters right outside your door! Hmmmm…Maybe that is PRO, because all of your friends and family who also don’t want to go to a crowded beach will be happy to come over and spend time with you.
Adding a swimming pool can be a costly endeavor but it can add to your quality of life in Florida. If you are buying a home with a big property with a plan to install a pool, there are some affordable options such as prefab pool kits starting at $7,500 but don’t forget to add on the cost for a finished patio surround, landscaping, and screened enclosure, these types of things add more value to the home than the pool itself.
If being outdoors, staying active, and spending quality time with loved ones is a high priority for your lifestyle, buying a property with a pool will probably be worth the effort and I can certainly help you figure out the maintenance costs to ensure it meets your budget.
If you LOVE the idea of having access to a pool but not sure if you want to take on the care of one, a great alternative is to focus on finding a home within an HOA or condo with a community pool! There are a TON of awesome neighborhoods that have clubhouses and pools – some even with kiddie pools or hot tubs – which can provide the best of both worlds!
If this is something you are interested in check out some of the my community tours or send me an email so we can start chatting about other options for you.
SEARCH POOL HOMES IN ST JOHNS COUNTY FL
Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll catch you on the next one.