House with a swimming pool - Page 17
18th-century manor house with swimming pool and enclosed garden in the heart of the Minervois region
Buying a house with a swimming pool
A poolside breakfast and a swim at the end of the day. Whether indoor or outdoor, a swimming pool adds value to any house.
Whether an infinity pool, in-ground or above ground, gently sloping or with a diving pit: there’s a pool for everyone. But there’s more to buying a house with a pool than may be immediately obvious. And although acquiring a pool is very different from installing one, there are a number of issues to be considered. One thing is certain though: a pool adds significant value to the property as a whole, but by increasing the land registry rental value of the property, it significantly increases the property tax on developed land (or rental tax).
So depending on your budget, it makes better financial sense to opt for a pool with a 10-metre long swimming lane, rather than a 30 m2 pool.
Indoor or outdoor ?
Swimming pools require maintenance and therefore time and money, but they are also a definite asset. By providing a relaxation and wellness facility, they are refreshing during the hot months of summer and are always there to be enjoyed by every family member.
Depending on the climate of the area in which you wish to buy, it could be better to opt for an indoor pool than the outdoor alternative. Sheltered from the weather, you’ll then be able to enjoy your pool all year round, even when it rains or hails. Another major benefit of an indoor pool is that it’s protected against environmental aggression, and therefore easier to maintain (provided the space it occupies is well ventilated to avoid humidity-related issues). And you can forget all the effort involved in preparing an outdoor pool for winter and constantly cleaning out the dead leaves that inevitably block the filters.
