26 Jun What is the added value of a swimming pool in your back garden?

It is the ultimate dream for many: on a scorching hot summer day, stepping straight out of your back door with a cold drink in hand and taking a refreshing dip. Having your own swimming pool in the garden radiates luxury, comfort and that ultimate holiday-at-home feeling.
But what happens when you look at it from a real estate perspective? Does such a blue oasis in the garden actually add value to your home, or are you stepping into a financial deep end?

The short answer: yes, it adds value, but almost never as much as it cost.
Let’s dive into the figures and the psychology behind having a swimming pool.

The hard figures: Cost vs. Value

Let’s be completely honest: installing a swimming pool is a significant investment. For a serious, in-ground and heated structural swimming pool, you can quickly expect to spend between €30,000 and €80,000, or even more.
If you sell the property afterwards, the valuation of your home unfortunately will not increase by that same amount. On average, in the Netherlands, you can assume that a well-maintained swimming pool increases the property value by around 50% to 70% of the purchase cost. Have you invested €50,000? Then the value of your home may increase by approximately €25,000 to €35,000.

Never buy or build a swimming pool purely as a financial investment to make a profit when selling. Do it for your own enjoyment and quality of living.

Why a swimming pool can add value

Does this mean it is a bad idea? Certainly not! A swimming pool can have enormous emotional and strategic value.

• The ‘wow’ factor: Homes with a swimming pool stand out. The photos on Funda immediately catch the eye. It attracts a specific group of buyers looking for luxury and ready-to-enjoy living.
• Faster sale in the higher segment. Especially with villas and luxury country homes, a swimming pool is often seen as a plus, and sometimes even as a requirement, by affluent buyers.
• The holiday feeling: Since many of us started spending more time working from home and Dutch summers have become warmer, the garden has turned into an extension of the living room. A swimming pool completes that picture.

The downside: Why it can put buyers off

While one person dreams of swimming laps, another mainly sees potential problems. For a large group of potential buyers, a swimming pool can actually be a reason not to buy a house:

• High energy costs: Heating and filtering thousands of litres of water can have a major impact on the energy bill.
• Maintenance-sensitive: Cleaning, keeping chlorine levels balanced, preparing it for winter… It takes time and money.

Buyers with very young children often find an open swimming pool quite frightening.
In an average Dutch back garden, there is often little ‘normal’ garden left after a swimming pool has been installed.

The conditions for real added value

Do you want a swimming pool to support the value of your home as much as possible? Then it needs to meet a few conditions:

1. The right target group and neighbourhood: In the higher segment, homes from around 1 million euros and above, the chance of a solid increase in value is much greater than with a terraced house in a Vinex neighbourhood.
2. Sustainability: A swimming pool heated by a heat pump and solar panels is now a must. A gas-heated swimming pool immediately makes buyers nervous.
3. Quality: A professionally installed, in-ground pool with an attractive terrace around it retains its value. A modern above-ground pool or a poorly maintained, outdated pool can actually reduce the value, because the buyer will think about the costs of removing it.

The final verdict

Is a swimming pool a financial added value? Usually not in hard cash. The return on your investment when selling is almost always negative.
But is it an added value for your quality of life? Absolutely. If you are planning to install one, see the swimming pool as an investment in happiness, health and unforgettable summers. The real ‘profit’ lies in the years you get to enjoy it yourself, and that is something no asking price can truly capture!