Pools are a big draw in the Phoenix market, but they come with real costs. Here's what to weigh before you decide whether a pool home is the right move.

In the Phoenix Metro, pools are everywhere, and for good reason. When summer temperatures push well past 100 degrees, having a pool in your backyard is one of the best ways to actually enjoy being outside. But owning a pool comes with real costs that a lot of buyers don’t fully consider until they’re already in the home. Here’s an honest look at both sides.

The pros: lifestyle and resale value. When it’s 110 degrees outside, being able to step out your back door and cool off without packing up the car or relying on someone else’s pool makes a real difference in how you experience your home for a large part of the year.

Pools also carry strong resale value in this market. A lot of buyers actively search for homes with pools, so having one can work in your favor when it comes time to sell.

The cons: maintenance and resurfacing. Pools cost money to maintain, and many buyers underestimate what that looks like month to month. Whether you hire a pool service or handle it yourself, you’re looking at roughly $100 to $200 a month in ongoing upkeep, depending on the age of the pool, the condition of the equipment, and the size. Over the course of a year, that adds up.

“Being honest with yourself about how much you’ll really use the pool is the best way to avoid regret in either direction.”

The bigger expense that catches people off guard is resurfacing. Phoenix’s intense sun and heat break down pool surfaces more quickly than in milder climates. Over time, the surface can crack and deteriorate, eventually exposing the rebar underneath. When you start seeing what looks like rust bleeding through the pool surface, that’s the rebar showing, and it means the pool needs to be resurfaced. Depending on the size and age of the pool, resurfacing runs anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000. It’s not something that happens every year, but it’s a real expense that buyers with older pools need to be aware of before they close.

How to decide if a pool home is right for you. It comes down to how you actually live. If you’re someone who’s going to use the pool regularly, if your family is in and out of the water all summer, and if the lifestyle value is genuinely there, it’s usually worth it. The maintenance and occasional resurfacing costs are part of the deal, but they’re manageable when the pool is something you’re actively enjoying.

On the other hand, if you’re on the fence about how much you’d actually use it, the ongoing costs can start to feel like a burden for something that sits untouched most of the year. Being honest with yourself about how much you’ll really use the pool is the best way to avoid regret in either direction.

If you have questions about buying or selling a pool home in the Phoenix Metro, or if you’re curious about what it might cost to build one, I’d love to help you think through it. Reach out anytime at 602-501-9352, email me at sam@thebrokery.com, or visit samlevyhomes.com. I look forward to hearing from you.