What you should know before buying a house with a backyard pool in Vancouver

As we all know, summertime in the Metro Vancouver Area can become a scorcher. The beaches and public swimming pools become overcrowded, and you’re left thinking “ I wish I had a house with my own pool “.

The weather is beginning to heat up, and so is the Vancouver real estate market. There are a few things you’ll want to consider when shopping for a new home with a swimming pool.

Your backyard oasis will act like a magnet and attract all your friends and family every weekend. You’ll want to set some boundaries so you and your family can enjoy some peace and quiet for yourselves.

What you should know before buying a house with a backyard pools in Vancouver

Now, down to business. When researching Vancouver real estate options with swimming pools, as part of your offer, you absolutely need to have your offer conditional to a separate pool inspection.

Don’t rely on a home inspector to do the inspection of the pool. You need to contact a pool company to give you a proper professional inspection of the swimming pool. They’ll make sure there’s no unwanted surprises when you take possession.

Additionally, you can reach out to the current property owner for a maintenance records. Home owners will often contract the pool maintenance out to a company, and most often they’ll keep a record of any issues, repairs and replacements. 

It's a great way to know how old the working parts are and if they’ll soon need to be replaced once you take possession of the new home.

This information can be critical to influencing your buying decision with the property, or moving onto your next desired home in the Metro Vancouver Area. 

What are the unplanned costs of buying a Vancouver home with a pool

Something else you’ll want to consider when buying a home with a pool is the additional maintenance costs to operate. On average, maintenance costs in Metro Vancouver can range around $300 per month. Unless you plan to maintain the pool yourself, chances are you’ll want to hire a pool maintenance company to keep your pool as clean and efficient as possible.

If your pool has a heater and you plan to run it between May and October like most Vancouver residents, you’re looking at an additional $500 to $600 per month in gas and electricity bills. The winter months can be expected to pay a much higher price.

Remember, owning your own home with a swimming pool is an incredible thing to have in the hot summers, but it will come with much added maintenance and costs.

If you have any questions about your home, or what's happening in your neighbourhood, or about this update, please call us at 604-657-7936. In the meantime, visit our site to view our current listings.