Many homebuyers prefer an empty yard to build a pool to their personal specifications. But for homes that happen to come with swimming pools already in the ground, take the right steps to protect your investment: Before closing escrow you will want to know about the pool and the condition of its structure and equipment systems.
Whether or not you’ve previously owned a home with a backyard pool, it’s important to arrange for an expert evaluation of the condition of the pool at the home you may soon call your own. Just like a house typically undergoes a professional inspection before escrow closes, so, too, should a pool and spa.
A thorough pool inspection should assure a potential buyer of several key issues, ranging from the elevation of the deck surface to the functionality of the pool pump.
Although some mortgage companies require a pool inspection before funding a home purchase, state or municipal regulations typically do not. In addition, while a good certified or state-licensed home inspector may add the pool onto his or her checklist for review, don’t count on it.
Even if your home inspector does include the pool, that evaluation may not be enough: Due to the complex nature of an inground pool’s structure and its specialized mechanics, pool-industry professionals strongly recommend hiring a specially trained pool inspector.
