Taking the plunge with an In-ground Pool!

Whether you're thinking of buying a home with an in-ground pool or toying with the idea of having one built, there are many important considerations to take into account. In addition to significant installation costs for those building a new pool, all homeowners with a pool will need to be mindful of ongoing maintenance expenses as well as insurance and tax implications.

If a swimming pool is in your future, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Installation costs for a 600-square-foot concrete pool average around $30,000. Less expensive options include fiberglass shells and pools with liners; however, pool liners need to be replaced approximately every 10 years, raising ongoing maintenance costs.

• Other equipment you will need to maintain your pool include an energy-efficient pump, chemical balancing supplies, cleaning, and fees for opening and closing the pool for the season. A rule of thumb is homeowners should budget around $600 annually for maintenance in a seasonal swimming climate and between $15 and $25 per week in a year-round climate.

• Homeowners with a pool should increase the liability portion of their homeowners insurance policy from the standard amount. In addition, many underwriters require you to fence in the pool so that children can't wander in unsupervised.

• There is no guarantee that adding a pool will add to your home's selling price. Experts advise keeping building costs between 10 percent and 15 percent of what you paid for the house to help assure you don't invest too much money that you won't necessarily recoup on resale.

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