Does Removing a Pool Increase Home Value?

Swimming pools can be very desirable for some families, particularly in warmer climates, while others believe they are not worth the expense and worry. Some people might be indifferent to the presence of a pool, as long as they also have enough yard space for other purposes. This means there is no easy answer when it comes to how swimming pools can impact a home’s value and resale prospects.

Many people assume that a swimming pool will always raise a home’s value as it is considered an additional amenity and enhances the appearance of the home. While that may be true in some cases, a variety of circumstances determine how a pool impacts home value. For some homes, removing a pool can actually increase its value.

Many times, the home’s value is less of a concern to a homeowner than its resale prospects. Real estate agents often maintain that the best way to attract a significant number of offers and sell a home quickly is by appealing to the broadest audience of potential buyers possible.

In this respect, a home without a swimming pool tends to be more attractive – as buyers who do not want a pool will generally not view homes that have one on account of the high maintenance costs and the expense of removing it. Those buyers who do want a swimming pool, however, will often still look at homes that do not have pools as long as there is enough room in the yard to install one – which is going to be true for any home that has had a pool removed. Therefore, removing the pool is a smart solution if the goal is to appeal to more buyers.

Here is a look at the factors that influence whether removing a swimming pool will increase a home’s value and resale prospects.

The Swimming Pools’ Age and Condition

When a swimming pool gets older or needs repairs, removing it can increase the home’s value. This applies to any pool that is more than 30 years old or is in a visible state of disrepair. Potential buyers who are looking for a pool will factor in the need to spend money on repairs prior to enjoying it, and these repairs can be extremely costly. Moreover, a pool that is in poor condition can give potential buyers the impression that the home’s owners are not on top of maintenance in general, which may lead them to look elsewhere.

In these cases, removing the pool is a smart choice that is often more cost-effective than having it repaired or replaced. By removing the pool and leaving the yard as a “blank slate, buyers will be able to envision doing whatever they wish with the space, which can make it far easier to sell. One of the biggest features that many home buyers seek, according to real estate agents, is generous yard space, and removing a pool is a great way to give them the room they seek.

The Climate of the Area

For homes that are situated in areas where there is swimming weather year-round, having a swimming pool can be very desirable. However, if your home is situated in an area where there are three months or less of comfortable swimming weather, removing a swimming pool could increase the value of the home by eliminating an expense and providing more yard space that can be used well beyond the summer months.

The Amount of Space in the Yard Occupied by the Pool

Swimming pools can occupy a significant amount of space in a yard, and for homes that have smaller yards, this can leave very little space available for other purposes. For homes that have lost a high percentage of yard space to a pool, a swimming pool removal can increase the home’s value by making the yard bigger. It can also improve its resale prospects as it provides potential buyers with a large, usable space for gardening, entertaining, or allowing their children or pets to run around and enjoy the great outdoors.

The Popularity of Swimming Pools in the Neighborhood

Another determinant of whether removing a swimming pool will increase a home’s value is the popularity of swimming pools throughout the neighborhood. If, for example, nearly every other house on the street has a swimming pool, there is a chance that removing it could negatively impact the home’s value, unless it is in a serious state of disrepair.

Nevertheless, removing it is still prudent if you no longer wish to use the pool or are looking to avoid expenses and maintenance. Removal also makes sense for those who have concerns about safety and liability. Although this may decrease the home’s value slightly if other homes on the block have a pool, the market conditions when the home is sold will influence how much the value is reduced.

The Presence of a Pool Doesn’t Significantly Raise a Home’s Value

Finally, it is important to keep in mind that swimming pools do not raise a home’s value as much as some people think. According to estimates from HouseLogic, a pool will only increase a home’s value by around 7 percent – and only when certain conditions are met, such as the pool occupying less than a third of the yard, most of the homes in the neighborhood having a pool, the pool’s style fitting in well with the home, and the home is situated in a higher-end neighborhood that enjoys excellent weather all year.

Due to the negligible impact of a pool on a home’s value, people who are thinking about having one installed are often advised to consider it an investment in their own lifestyle rather than a financial investment in their home that will have a significant financial return.

Reach Out to the Northern Virginia Pool Removal Team

Get in touch with the experienced Northern Virginia pool removal team at Dirt Connections to learn more about your pool removal options. Our team can advise you on the best pool removal method to preserve your home’s value and leave your yard in the ideal condition to attract buyers or accommodate any future use you have in mind for the space.