For many Florida homebuyers, a swimming pool is high on the wish list. It may even be one of the reasons you're considering the Florida lifestyle in the first place.
But buying a home with a pool also brings up questions you may not have encountered before.
Should I have the pool inspected? What should I be looking for? What if the pool is older? And what if I love the house but don't love the pool?
The good news is that an existing Florida pool may offer far more possibilities than you think.
Should I Get a Pool Inspection When Buying a Florida Home?
Yes. I recommend having the pool inspected when purchasing a Florida home.
A pool can look beautiful during a showing while having issues that aren't immediately obvious.
A pool inspection may evaluate:
- Pool surface and visible structural condition
- Cracks or signs of possible leaks
- Pump and filtration equipment
- Pool heater
- Plumbing and circulation
- Electrical components
- Pool lighting
- Automation and controls
- Tile and coping
- Pool deck condition
- Spa equipment, if applicable
Depending on the property and inspection company, a pool inspection may be available as an addition to your regular home inspection. With an older or more complex pool, you may also want a pool professional to perform a separate evaluation.
The goal isn't necessarily to find a perfect pool.
It's to understand what you're buying and what may need to be repaired, replaced or updated.
What If the Pool Is Old or Outdated?
This is where things get interesting.
When looking at Florida homes, don't necessarily dismiss a property simply because the pool looks dated.
If the existing concrete pool structure is in good condition, a qualified pool renovation company may be able to completely transform it.
An older pool with dated tile, faded finishes and an unattractive deck could potentially become the starting point for an entirely new outdoor living space.
How Much Can You Change on an Existing Florida Pool?
Depending on the existing pool, property and available space, renovations can potentially include:
- New interior pool finish
- New waterline tile
- New coping
- New pool decking
- LED pool lighting
- New pumps and filtration equipment
- Pool automation and controls
- New pool heater
- Saltwater system
- New steps or benches
- Sun shelf
- Water features
- Built-in spa or hot tub
- Raised spa with a spillover into the pool
That last one surprises many buyers.
Your existing pool doesn't necessarily need to already have a spa.
Depending on the pool and available space, a qualified pool contractor may be able to construct a new spa adjacent to the existing pool, integrate the plumbing and equipment, and create a spillover between the spa and pool.
When designed properly, the finished pool and spa can look as though they were originally built together.
Don't Judge a Pool Only by How It Looks Today
This can completely change the way you approach your Florida home search.
Imagine finding a home with the location, floor plan, neighborhood and view you want — but the pool is 20 or 25 years old.
Before eliminating the property, ask a different question:
Is the existing pool structurally sound, and can it be remodeled into what I really want?
Cosmetic issues such as dated tile, old decking, worn coping or an unattractive pool finish may be relatively straightforward renovation items.
Structural problems, significant leaks, underground plumbing issues or site limitations deserve considerably more attention.
That's another reason a pool inspection can be valuable.
Can I Add a Hot Tub or Spa to an Existing Florida Pool?
In many cases, yes.
A built-in spa can potentially be added to an existing pool and designed with jets, separate heating controls and a spillover into the swimming pool.
A raised spa can also dramatically change the appearance and experience of an older pool area.
So if having a spa is important to you, I wouldn't automatically limit your home search to properties that already have one.
Instead, consider looking for:
A great house + a good existing pool + enough space to create the outdoor living area you really want.
That approach may open up considerably more homes during your search.
Consider Having a Pool Contractor Look at It Before You Buy
If you're considering a Florida home with an older pool and already know you'd like to renovate it, consider getting a pool renovation contractor involved during your inspection period.
Some questions worth asking include:
Can this pool be remodeled?
Can a built-in spa be added?
Is the existing pool shell worth renovating?
Would the plumbing or equipment need to be replaced?
Are there setback, permitting, HOA or space restrictions that could affect the renovation?
What would a renovation approximately cost?
Getting those answers before purchasing the home can help you determine whether you're looking at an expensive problem — or an opportunity to create exactly what you want.
Look Beyond the Pool to the Entire Outdoor Living Space
In Southwest Florida, the pool is often only one part of the equation.
The lanai, screened enclosure, outdoor kitchen, covered seating area, landscaping, privacy and view can be just as important.
When evaluating a property, consider the potential of the entire outdoor living area, rather than focusing only on how the pool looks today.
An older pool in the right setting may offer considerably more potential than a newer pool in a backyard that doesn't fit your lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
When buying a Florida home with a pool, I recommend having the pool inspected.
But I also wouldn't let an ugly or outdated pool automatically scare you away from an otherwise great house.
The condition of the underlying pool and the property around it may be much more important than the color of the tile, the age of the deck or whether there's currently a built-in spa.
With the right existing pool and a qualified Florida pool contractor, you may be able to transform an outdated backyard into a beautiful outdoor living space designed around the way you want to live.
You don't necessarily have to find the perfect pool.
You may just need to find the right house with a pool that has the potential to become perfect for you.
Considering a Home in Southwest Florida?
Buying a home in Florida can be very different from buying in other parts of the country. Pools, flood zones, insurance, HOA and condo fees, homestead exemptions and even the inspection process can all be important parts of the decision.
Whether you're considering Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers or another Southwest Florida community, I'm happy to be a resource as you explore your options.
Have a question about buying or owning a home in Florida? Let's talk.
Steve Comstock
