The backyard pool is always a popular feature during the summer holidays and now new data shows that properties with pools are more attractive to buyers.
Ray White Group Analyst, Jemima White, said the typical pool will normally cost homeowners between $35,000 and $100,000 to put in, however, house prices generally increase as a result.
“Swimming pools generally increase the value of a home, at a minimum, by the amount they cost to build,” Ms White said.
“So, if you install a swimming pool for $50,000 you can expect your house price to increase by a minimum $50,000.”
She said house price growth beyond that amount is hard to quantify due to a range of factors including the different economic environments, changing demographics of interested buyers, climate, location, renovations to other areas of the house and more.
Ms White said one of the reasons a pool could add more value is because it attracts buyers.
“Ray White auction data unsurprisingly shows that when property appeals to more buyers it creates stronger competition at auction, pushing up selling prices and clearance rates,” she said.
Ms White said currently more than 300,000 homes across the country had a pool and that number was growing.
According to Ms White, Queensland has the most listings with a pool.
In total, there have been 51,212 properties listed for sale in Queensland with a pool on Domain over the past two years.
NSW came in second with 33,129 listings with a pool, followed by Western Australia with 20,043.
Not surprisingly, on a percentage of listings basis, Darwin had the most homes with a pool, with 44.9 per cent of all listings featuring a backyard pool.
In terms of the suburbs with the most pools, again it’s QLD that makes up most of the listings.
Buderim on the Sunshine Coast has had 573 listings with a pool on Domain over the past two years, followed by Upper Coomera (431) and Helensvale (416) on the Gold Coast.
Ms White said it made sense for owners in these states and suburbs to add a swimming pool to the backyard.
“Not having a swimming pool in these suburbs will put your home in a weaker position when competing with other homes when it comes time to sell,” she said.
Homes for sale with a pool
Buderim, QLD
5 bed, 3 bath
Asking: $3 million-plus
This architecturally designed home has been renovated over the space of four years, with no expense spared. The home includes an 11m pool with panoramic ocean views, a seated spa with jets at one end and a large wooden sun deck.
Upper Coomera, QLD
70 Northern Skies Terrace, Upper Coomera
4 bed, 2 bath
Asking: $2.2 million
Sitting on 7.3 acres, this semi-rural property will give you complete privacy and allow you to splash around in your own stunning 10.5m mineral pool.
Helensvale, QLD
5 bed, 2 bath
Asking: Over $1,995,000
This waterfront residence in the prestigious Peninsula Estate sits amongst tropical gardens on a 680sq m block. The property features 16m of water frontage and boasts its own pool with water views.
