Buying a Home With a Pool in Jonesboro? What It Costs to Own
Buying a Home With a Pool in Jonesboro? What It Costs to Own
Northeast Arkansas summers are hot enough that a pool sells itself the second you walk into the backyard. I get it. I've also sat across from buyers three months after closing, surprised by a $2,000 pump replacement nobody warned them about. A pool isn't a bonus feature like a fireplace. It's a system, and it comes with a maintenance bill whether you use it every weekend or once a summer.
Get the pool inspected separately
A standard home inspection doesn't always dig into the pool equipment the way it should. Before you close, have someone experienced with pool systems look at the pump, filter, heater, plumbing, and the pool structure itself. I'd rather you spend a few hundred dollars finding a problem now than find it yourself the first week you own the place.
What maintenance runs
Chemicals, cleaning, water, electricity for the pump, and the seasonal opening and closing. How much that adds up to depends heavily on the pool's age and equipment condition, which is exactly why the inspection matters. Ask the seller directly how old the pump, filter, and heater are, and whether the pool has ever leaked. Those answers tell you more than the pool looking pretty on a showing day.
Insurance and safety, don't skip these
A pool can affect your homeowners insurance because it adds liability. Call your insurance provider before you're under contract and ask what they require for fencing, gates, and coverage on that specific property. If you have kids or grandkids visiting, look hard at the fencing, gate locks, and drain covers, and don't assume whatever is there already meets what your family needs.
Does a pool add resale value?
Not dollar for dollar, and not for every buyer. Some people see a pool as the whole reason to buy the house. Others see it as a maintenance obligation they'd rather skip. Buy it because you want it, not because you're counting on it to pay you back when you sell.
If you're looking at pool homes anywhere in Jonesboro or the surrounding area, I can help you get the right questions answered before you're emotionally attached to the backyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a pool inspected separately when buying a home?
Yes. A standard home inspection doesn't always evaluate pool equipment in detail, so have the pump, filter, heater, and pool structure checked by someone with pool experience before you close.
Does having a pool increase homeowners insurance?
It can. A pool adds liability considerations, and requirements around fencing and gates vary by insurer. Get a quote for the specific property before you're under contract so there are no surprises.
Does a pool increase a home's resale value?
Not automatically, and not dollar for dollar on what it cost to install or maintain. Some buyers see a pool as a major benefit and others see it as extra upkeep, so buy it for the lifestyle, not as an investment guarantee.
Selina Reithemeyer
Executive Broker, Image Realty
3501 Stonegate Dr, Suite D, Paragould, AR 72450
870-219-4890
