One of the criteria that we often receive here in Texas is that a home must have a pool. At that point I typically ask if the client is willing to put in a pool if they find the “perfect” house and yard, but it doesn’t have a pool. It seems that more often than not, the response is “no”. The task seems daunting, I suppose. I try to reassure them that it is not that difficult. It doesn’t take very long. You get to choose what you want. And yet the answer remains “no”.
A few facts about building a pool or remodeling, if necessary:
1. It usually does not take more than 6 weeks to build a pool. If you contract your pool builder while waiting for your home to close, choose the layout and materials of it, the builder can start immediately following closing. You will have a pool in no time! I bet your last box isn’t unpacked before you can swim.
2. Choose a reputable pool builder. Ask your licensed Realtor for some suggestions. Chances are we know some good ones. It is important that you don’t just choose the least expensive. This is a big investment and you need to treat it like one. Choose someone who has been in business for a while. It’s a good thing to interview a couple. And again, don’t choose the cheapest!!
3. The best part??? You choose the design, materials, and colors of your new pool! How fun is that? Add some beautiful landscaping around it to make the colors pop. You choose!
4. Pool Remodel… It is not inexpensive. You feel like you could almost have a new one, if it didn’t cost so darn much to pull an old pool out of the ground properly. HOWEVER, the rewards can be great. I have to say that when we bought our home a little over a year ago, there was so much remodeling that was needed, that I didn’t look that closely at the pool. Last summer as I really started looking at it, I realized that it was truly one of the ugliest pools I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying a lot! I see many houses and many pools. I swore that a previous homeowner built it himself. I even bet my husband that I was right. We asked the neighbor, who has been here forever, and yep, he confirmed it. The guy built it himself. The angles were off, there was absolutely no symmetry, and the materials were just gross. I am happy to say that it is now gorgeous. Some of the angles are still off, but the materials we chose, along with the colors, make it look just beautiful!
5. The last thing to know is that there are loans available where you can add the pool into the cost of the house in order to build it after closing. Again, ask your Realtor for a referral for a good lender.
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