Owning your own swimming pool is a luxury. Here in Southeastern North Carolina, it can also be seen as a necessity. Sure, we live a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, but even a short drive to the beach can be more trouble than it’s worth. Between loading up the kids, packing extra towels, snacks and sunblock, searching fruitlessly for a parking spot, and then battling the crowds for a spot on the sand, a relaxing day at the beach can be anything but.
 
When you have your own swimming pool, on the other hand, sunbathing, swimming and soaking up a quiet afternoon are suddenly a whole lot easier. If you’re thinking about buying a swimming pool for your own personal enjoyment but are still on the fence, there’s another perk to consider. A swimming pool can add value to your home, and make it more appealing to buyers down the road. Yes, that’s right – not only is a swimming pool something you and your family can enjoy right now, it’s also an investment in your future.
 
If you’re thinking about buying a swimming pool, you’re in luck. Fall and winter are great seasons to “take the plunge.” Here are three reasons why buying a swimming pool in the off-season can be the best choice you make this year.
 
You’ll Save Money
 
Like most products and services, the off-season is when you’ll find the best deals and discounts. For example, having a wedding in the winter will net you more savings than celebrating in June, and skis tend to go on sale as soon as the snow begins to melt. Swimming pools are no different. If you can wait, then building yours in the fall or winter months is a better idea than summer, which is prime swimming season.
 
While these savings are great, there are other costs to consider when building a pool. Because swimming pools can be a safety hazard, especially if you have young children in your house or neighborhood, putting a fence around your pool is important. If you don’t plan to fill your pool with water until the summer months, then you’ll have all winter and early spring to shop around and find the best deals on fencing material. Let’s face it – when we have time to weigh our options and browse the offerings, we almost always find better deals. 
 
Your Landscaping Will Thank You
 
Contrary to popular belief, the best time to plant trees and shrubs is in the fall and winter months. This allows the plants to focus on putting down strong roots, rather than putting their energy into making leaves or flowers. Since building a swimming pool will likely alter your backyard in some way, the fall and winter months are a better time to move existing trees and bushes and plant some new ones.
 
As far as increasing the value of your home goes, you’ll also want to make sure your swimming pool fits in with the aesthetic of your house and your neighborhood, and landscaping will help with this. Your swimming pool should blend into your backyard, not stick out like a sore thumb. By building it during the colder months, you’ll have more freedom to make sure it complements the landscape and adds to the beauty of your home.
 
You Can Spend All Winter Planning Your First Pool Party
 
The winter months can be dark, cold and downright depressing, especially once the holidays have passed. Building a swimming pool during these months will give you something to look forward to, and provide an excellent distraction from plunging temperatures, ice storms and stir-crazy kids. Daydream about playing endless games of Marco Polo, keeping an eye on the kids from the back deck, and going for a morning swim in the peace and quiet of your own backyard. Then, when summer finally arrives, you’ll be ready and raring to go, and so will your swimming pool.
 
We hope this article has helped you see the value of building a swimming pool now, rather than later. For more ideas on how to increase the value of your home and enjoy life wherever you live, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And if you’re currently looking for your dream home, contact Network Real Estate. We’re always ready to dive in.  

Neal Johnson is a CMCA, CRB, CNE and GRI-certified, licensed real estate broker at Network Real Estate, which has exclusively served a high volume of property sales and purchases in the greater Wilmington area for more than 30 years. With offices at College Road, Historic Downtown and Pleasure Island, Network’s brokers are widespread and well-versed in this marketplace, making Network a preferred real estate company for first-home buyers and beyond.