Installing a new pool can be an investment that brings your family years of recreation and fun times, but it can be costly. Before you consider a pool, it’s a good idea to figure out if 👍it makes financial sense for your circumstances, and if it’s worth exploring swimming pool financing to make your backyard dream a reality.
Learn more about how swimming pool financing works, if it’s worth considering, and how to find the right lender.
Key Takeaways
- There are a number of swimming pool financing options available, including personal loans and home equity loans.
- When evaluating pool financing, compare interest rates and loan terms to find the best product for your needs.
- To secure swimming pool financing, research lenders, assess your credit, and gather the documentation needed for your application.
- Having a pool may boost the value of your home by about 7%.
Swimming Pool Costs
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of building a swimming pool in your yard ranges from $20,000 to $100,000, with a national average of $62,500. Your final price tag will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the pool, the type of materials used, and your location.
Above-ground pools are far less expensive, with an average $700–$5,000 price tag. If you’re breaking ground, expect it to cost a significant five-figure amount. Material-wise, concrete is the most expensive, starting at around $50,000, but it lasts the longest. Fiberglass is less expensive and has lower maintenance costs, while vinyl is typically the least expensive but may require more upkeep.
On top of that, having a pool comes with ongoing maintenance expenses, which also depend on the type of pool. You should expect to budget around $80 to $150 per month for pool maintenance (opening and closing costs plus chemicals). Plus, your electric bill will likely go up by around $50, or even more if you use a pool heater.
Fast Fact
Having a pool can increase the value of a house by 5% to 8%♎. This can be higher if you live in a warmer state like Florida or Texas.
Financial Factors to Co🃏nsider When Adding a 𒁃Swimming Pool
Before you decide to move forward with financing for aꩲ swimming pool, here are some considerations.
Eligibility Requirements
Whenever you’re considering a lending product, you should first assess your creditworthiness by looking at your credit score. Lenders typically review your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:credit report and want to make sure you have steady income in order to approve you for a loan.
The better your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:credit score, the more likely you can qualify for the most favorable interest rate offere🤪d. If you are having struggles with credit or no verifiable income, your loan options may be limited or more costly.
Interest Rates
When financing a new pool, you should get quotes from several lenders. Higher interest will impact your monthly bill as well as the amount you end up paying over the life of the loan. In addition to your own credit and financial situation, other things that can affect 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:interest rates include general economic conditions, the amount you borrow and the term of the loan, and 🧔your location.
Loan Terms and Repayment Options
The length of the loan (the loan term) and how you repay the loan are important to understand since they will impact your budget. Longer loan terms can lower your monthly bill, but you’ll pay more over the life of the loan. As for 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:repayment options, inquire as to how flexible lenders are regarding how you repay the loan. For instance, is there a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:prepayment penalty? Are there any discounts for setting up autopay?
Ways to Finance a Swimming Pool
You have various options for financing a s𝄹wimming♒ pool, including the following.
Personal Loans
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Personal loans are a popular option for pool financing because they are unsecured loans that have fixed monthly payments for the life of the loa🏅n.
Loan terms can range f♒rom a year to several years, depending on the loan amount and the lender. You will have to go through an application process, but many personal loans can﷽ be approved and funded within a few days. The key is to try to find a loan with a competitive interest rate and minimal or no fees, to keep your cost of borrowing as low as possible.
Secured Loans
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secured loans require you to put up something for collateral, such as a vehicle or some other possession. This takes some of the risk away from the lender since if you aren’t able to pay your bill, they can seize your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:collateral.
For this reason and depending on the lender, these loans could have a lower interest rate, which could be an advantage. Just keep in 🍬mind your higher level of risk should you run into cash flow problems.
Home Equity Financing
If you have ample home equity, you could tap into it to finance home improvement projects like installing a pool. A 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:home equity loan is essentially a second mortgage, which means you’ll have to go through a🐼 detailed application process and need to meet all of the lender requirements.
Depending on the interest rates, you may be able to get a lower rate on these products than you would with a personal loan. The downside is that you are decreasing the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:equity in your home and🦹 putting your house o🍨n the line if you become unable to make payments.
Steps to Secure Swimming Pool Financing
To finance a pool, follow these steps.
Research and Compare Lenders
Take your time to understand your options when borrowing a significant amount of money. Compare loan types, interest rates, fees, and repayment t𓃲erms to find💃 the best product for you.
Gather Documentation
In most cases, you’ll need to share documentation, including your personal identification, proof of addꦇress, and your income. Some of these documents include:
- Photo ID
- Utility bill or something with current address
- Bank statements
- W-2 form
Submit the Loan Application
Many loan applications can be done online or over the phone. Prepare to answer basic questions about your contact information, your employment, your income, the rea🌊son for your loan, and the loan amount you are seeking. Upload photos of any required documents.
Tips for Successful Swimming Pool Financing
Large home projects like putting in a swimming pool require a bit of research even before you start looking for fin💧ancing. You’ll want to come up with a budget amount, get contractor quotes, and then run your numbers to decide on the best financing approach.
Make a Budget for the Project
It’s important to create a realistic budget for a swimming pool project. The best way is to price out various pool types a𝓡nd materials, speak to people who have done similar projects, and request some estimates and quotes from local pool installation companies. Also, be sure to factor in additional project costs, such as pool equipment and accessories, bringing in an electrician if necessary, or doing any other yard preparation, as well as ongoing maintenance expenses.
Find a Reputable Contractor
After meeting with a few potential pool companies, do some due diligenc🐈e to be sure you are choosing a reputable contractor for the project. Ask f🍃or customer references, read online reviews, and make sure every detail of the project is added to the contract.
Understand Loan Agreements
Once you decide on pool financing, carefully review the loan agreement (before signing) and ask any questions you may have about the terms and conditions. You should have a 🌼clear understanding of the total loan amount, i♋nterest rate, term, monthly payment amount, and any associated fees.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Personal Loans for Pool Financing?
Personal loans can be a good option for pool financing since they are generally accessible, can provide fast funding, and allow you to budget for a monthly fixed payment. Potential downsides 💃could be that the interest rate and fees may make borrowing expensive, especially if you don’t have stellar credit.
How Do Interest Rates Vary for Different Swimming Pool Financing Options?
Interest rates can range widely for personal loans and other lending products, with the lower rates going to those who have strong credit. You may find lower interest rates via other lendౠing options like secured personal loans or home equity loans (since you are putting up assets or your home as collateral), but those may carry more personal risk.
What Factors Do Lenders Consider When Evaluating Loan Applications for Pool Financing?
Lenders will typically review applicants’ 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:credit history and verify their income and employment. Certain loan types may have other requirements. For example, a secured loan may need documentation about a vehicle you are using for collateral, while a home equity loan may require an 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:appraisal of the home.
Tip
Considering home renovations to personalize or boost property value? Check out our guide, 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Owning It: Investing in Your Home, to learn more about how to plan and pay fo꧙꧂r your project.
The Bottom Line
A swimming pool can bring decades of joy to your family, but it’s a large investment. If you decide to ꦓmove forward, pool financing can help you pay for the costs over a period of time. Put in the time to research your options to find the best loan product for your situation to keep your borrowing costs as manageable as possible.