McClung: Wise pool decisions now help resale value later
When buying or selling a home, most people ask if a pool adds value to their home. The answer is yes, but there are details to know.
“First, people are reading national publications that state that consistently across the country pools prove to add value to a residential property up to 15 percent. But in our local markets, pools are bringing up to 100 percent return on the investment, and can add up to $15 per square foot of the price of the house,” said Justin McClung of The McClung Group with Keller Williams Realty.
McClung and his group are known for being a resource for educating people on pools.
“For example, it is important for the pool to be relative to the size of the home, and have features for resale value such as if you have a $400,000 to $1 million home and you have a small pool on a large lot, it will not add as much value as a larger pool. On the other end of the spectrum though, if you have a relative small home and an oversized pool, it would not bring as much value,” McClung said.
Also, it is important for pools to be updated, the same way people update their kitchens, he said.
Buyers today are looking for updated pools, with spas and automation, which are the new trends and important for resale values.
“But a pool that is updated, that is the right size for the home is a selling point, and buyers can usually see themselves with their family and friends around the pool having fun,” McClung said.
Moreover, if a client finds the right house, but no pool, and the yard is large enough, they will be able to install a pool according to their taste with the different features such as a spa, lighting, automation, finishes and landscaping.
Yet, for those considering installing a pool, or even updating a pool, it is important to talk to your local Realtor first, McClung said, because they can help guide you in making the right choices, and those decisions will be beneficial if the house goes on the market in the future.
“We work with people throughout our focus area of The Woodlands and the surrounding areas when they are considering a pool,” he said. “For re-sale purposes, this is very important.”