Whether your goal when searching for a home was to find one with a pool, or you just happened to fall in love with a home that happened to have one, there are some things that are important to know about your new back yard oasis. These are some questions that you should ask so that you have some basic knowledge before you move in:
How old is the pool and the equipment? Depending on the construction of the pool, there may be some maintenance that has been skipped by the current owner or that the pool will be needing soon. By asking the age of the pool and equipment you can determine what some future costs may be. Do your research to find a comfort level on what some of those costs may be.
How does the pool impact utility bills and insurance? Requesting utility bills for the last year from the current owner can give you an idea on the costs associated with pool ownership. Your insurance agent should be able to inform you of the additional costs associated with insuring a home with a swimming pool. This is great information to know BEFORE you finalize a contract to purchase a home.
Does the pool have any known maintenance issues? If the pool has major maintenance issues like cracks, tears, or faulty equipment, having knowledge before you buy is important. In our area, a sellers disclosure with specific information about the swimming pool can be completed by the seller.
How do you maintain the pool? Many swimming pool maintenance companies will offer “Pool School” to new owners of swimming pools to help to ease their anxiety about pool ownership. The seller of the home can also be a great resource with the name of the company that currently maintains the pool (if it is professionally maintained), where they purchase their pool chemicals, and other basic questions that you may have.
Swimming pools are a great addition to the back yard of a home, but that also come with great responsibility. The more that you know before you close on your new home, the more you will be able to enjoy it for years to come.
Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate (636)936-8600
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