POOLS FUEL INTEREST
Once maligned, the backyard pool is back on homebuyers’ must-have list
BACKYARD swimming pools have gone from scorned to superb features in the eyes of Geelong homebuyers.
The backyard pool was the most successful keyword used by Victorian house hunters, with nearly three million finding properties using the terms “pool” and “swimming pool” on realestate.com.au in 2018.
A garage is the third mostsuccessful search, a high priority for buyers in inner suburbs like Geelong West and Newtown.
But it’s no surprise to Barry Plant agent Kieron Hunter, who said the backyard pool was in vogue, especially around Highton.
Yet it wasn’t always that way, with Geelong buyers once looking at them as all maintenance and hassle, he said.
Buyers 20 years ago were even provided with the estimated cost of filling them in.
“Pools are so in vogue right now — everybody wants a pool,” he said.
“The technology has changed now in how they actually run, how they’re filtered, how the computer systems work. They pretty much manage themselves, some are even self-cleaning, and you don’t have to be handling chemicals.”
More than 300 local properties with swimming pools were traded in the past 12 months, data from CoreLogic found.
Mr Hunter said a pool was a must-have for a property at the top end of the Highton market.
“They are definitely a requirement when you start getting into about the $900,000 range. They want a pool, or room to put a pool,” he said.
Mr Hunter said entertaining was top priority in highend markets and how much the outdoor deck was kitted out would dictate the level of interest a property attracted.
He said crowds would be almost double to see a similar build house where the deck had screens and a pizza oven, compared with one with a bit of a deck. PROPERTY LIFTOUT INSIDE TODAY
Ray White, Lara agent Terry Cleary said, while people always sought internal features like ensuites and airconditioning, the pool, entertainment area and shed remained the most sought after.
“For families and grandparents, garages and pools remain very high on the checklists,” he said.
“When it comes to outside, entertainment areas with pools, outdoor areas and sheds remain very high.
“The lifestyle property at Nossal Court has got all three — it’s got an outdoor area, it’s got an extra shed in the back corner and the outdoor entertainment area is joined with the enclosed pool area to make it the complete package.”
The list of most successful keyword search terms shows buyers value entertaining, views and the water more than ensuring a house has a study, built-in robes or solar panels.