Until this summer it had been the understanding for many years in the property industry that houses with an indoor swimming pool had a positive advantage and having one could help sell a home as well as adding to its value. In contrast, an outdoor pool did not add any more to the sale price and indeed, for some buyers have been regarded as a detrimental feature. This has changed!
2018 has been one the hottest and driest summers known with records constantly being broken and temperatures regularly reaching 30C. With the heatwave set to continue, house buyers are positively seeking homes with pools, whether they are inside or out. However, with the continuing shortage of village property on the market, finding one is not easy despite it being estimated that there are over 200,000 homes in the UK with a swimming pool.
There is a lot to take into consideration when installing a swimming pool not least of which is the cost and this can vary enormously depending on what ground works are required and whether it’s an above ground, below ground or housed. Then there’s the type of pool to think about from a traditional design, an infinity pool or a natural swimming pond as well what they are made of and whether there are to be any additional features like diving boards, pressure jets or water cascades.
Another important factor is how the water is to be managed, cleaned, filtered, covered and heated. One also has to take into account where in a garden a pool is going to be sited and ideally this will be in a sunny but sheltered spot. Safety needs to be taken into consideration, particularly where there are young children around, so it is sensible to have fencing with secure access.
Size matters. Most people want a pool which is large enough to have some fun splashing around in and to be able to swim a few lengths rather than one that is no bigger than a paddling pool to cool down in on a hot day but it should not be so large that it completely dominates the garden.
Rural View are marketing a village property in an exclusive residential road on the Isle of Wight that boasts having a particularly good-sized pool (55 x 28 ft). Lamorna is an extended detached house built in the 1960’s with a large garden and is being marketed as a refurbishment or redevelopment opportunity. The guide price is £1.1 million and should a new owner fancy swimming in the sea rather than the pool, then the beach is just a short stroll away.