With spring here and temperatures soaring in some pockets of the country, the thought of building a swimming pool might be crossing your mind.

The benefits are many: they provide a great form of exercise and recreation, and they're wonderful for entertaining. And, as residents in the hottest parts of the country will tell you - they're a sure-fire way to beat the heat.

But one thing a pool doesn't provide is paying for itself once you sell your house. Many real estate agents will tell you you're lucky if your capture half the cost when it comes time to sell.

"Having a pool really adds nothing to the value of a home because many people do not want one," said St. Louis Realtor Marie P. Farnsworth, of Coldwell Banker Gundaker Realtors.

Farnsworth estimates that about 20 percent of homes more than $240,000 have built-in swimming pools. Almost all in the $1 million range do.

And, of course, pools are rare in some parts of the country.

"Pool owners are generally in higher-end homes (over $500k), and build them indoors. It is quite difficult to assess how much value is ever recouped," said Colorado Springs Broker Associate Rick Van Wieren, of RE/MAX. "We tell people not to assume that (pools) will add value, and to only do it for personal enjoyment."

But down in blistering Phoenix pools are a big plus - and are very common, says Bill Hobaica of Dan Schwartz Realty, Inc.

"In my experience, home seekers are rarely turned off by a pool," he said. "Typically families with young children or older single persons prefer not to have a pool."

Hobaica said that depending on the area, homeowners can expect to recoup 30 to 50 percent of the cost of a pool.

If you are considering a pool, the National Spa and Pool Institute offers these tips:

Published: April 2, 2002

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