Pool Inspections: A Home Buyers Guide

If you’re a prospective home buyer, you probably already understand the importance of a thorough home inspection. However, what many home buyers don’t know is that the typical home inspector will not inspect water features on the home’s property. This includes pools, spas, ponds, or other backyard additions.

Unfortunately, this can set the home buyer up for failure, as many pools may have problems that are invisible to the untrained eye. That’s why pool inspections, conducted by a professionally trained pool inspector, are an invaluable tool. Proper pool inspections ensure you won’t inherit a money pit, and that your dream home won’t turn into a nightmare.

What will the inspector do?

Once the pool inspection is complete, the inspector will provide you with a comprehensive report. This report will highlight any code violations, which can become a liability for the future owner of the home. As part of the report, the inspector will also include a comprehensive checklist of potential renovations you can expect to encounter in the future, as well as approximate costs for these repairs.

What should you do with your inspection report?

As a prospective home buyer, it’s important to weigh the costs and benefits of each house you’re considering turning into your forever home. The professional advice home buyers are given as part of proper pool inspections are meant to help make an informed decision about the property they’re considering. When looking at your own detailed pool inspection report, there are lots of things you’ll need to think about before you make your final decision.

First, you should compare any estimated costs provided by the inspector to the amount you have budgeted for repairs and renovations of your new home. If the cost of the inground pool renovations is more than you’ve budgeted, this may be a sign that you should bypass this property.

Second, you should be aware of any code violations that could put you at increased risk. The new homeowner will be liable for any accidents or damages that may occur as a result of these violations, which is a huge liability. You have to decide for yourself whether you’re willing to take on this risk.

There are also other considerations you need to take into account. One important question you should ask yourself is whether you’re ready to put in the time, money, and energy it takes to properly maintain the inground pool and whether the pool will be put to good use. If you don’t think you’ll be able to keep up with maintenance, or you think the pool will sit unused, it may be a sign that this type of home feature isn’t for you. You can choose to remove the inground pool from the yard, but this has other associated costs you’ll need to fit into your budget, and it can impact the look of your backyard in a big way.

Schedule Your Pool Inspection Today

If you’re a prospective home buyer, and you’ve found a house with a pool, be sure to schedule your pool inspection as soon as possible. Our experts here at Blue Haven Raleigh Pools will be more than happy to help you determine whether you’ve found your dream home, or if you’ll inherit a nightmare property.