A Guide to Pool Financing, How It Works, and What Options are Available
Many homeowners dream of having a swimming pool to stay cool during the summer months and get in some low-impact exercise. But what if you don’t have all the required funds to pay for your dream pool upfront? This is where pool financing comes in.
Pool financing can give you the leg up you need to break ground and finally build your dream pool, making for a more affordable investment in your home and quality of life.
BENEFITS OF HAVING A POOL
Though there are seemingly countless benefits to having your own pool, here are some of the top benefits to consider:
Increased Home Value
Installing a well-designed in-ground swimming pool can enhance the aesthetics of your backyard and boost your home’s value and curb appeal. So if you ever decide to sell your home, you can have a greater return on investment with a sparkling, attractive swimming pool in the backyard.
Low-Impact Exercise
Swimming pools allow for low-impact exercise, which is especially helpful for those with injuries, arthritis, and sore joints. Due to the buoyancy of water, exercising in a pool places less pressure on joints and muscles compared to exercising on land.
Recreation
Spending time in the pool is a fun recreational activity for the whole family to enjoy. Whether lounging, playing, or swimming, it’s the go-to place for exercise, relaxation, and cooling off all summer long.
Stress Relief
Swimming is a great way to relieve stress and unwind after a long day. Along with relieving stress and tension, swimming also provides the feel-good endorphins that are produced with exercise. Swimming also helps people feel mentally refreshed.
WHAT IS POOL FINANCING?
Pool financing is a type of loan or credit you can use specifically for your pool-building project. You can borrow money to finance your pool project through a pool building company or a bank or other financial institution.
BENEFITS OF POOL FINANCING
With pool financing, you can make your pool dreams a reality. Pool financing makes pool ownership more affordable, so you can:
- Afford to install an in-ground pool—which is more aesthetically pleasing
- Build pool fencing
- Invest in a better quality pool build that will last longer
- Add to your home’s value
- Include your dream pool features, such as water features, a spa or hot tub, and a safety cover
- Bring years of enjoyment for you and your family
POOL FINANCING OPTIONS
There are several options for financing your new pool, each with their own benefits:
Home Equity Loan
A home equity loan is a secured loan since it uses the value of your home as collateral. To determine the value of your home, you will need to have your property appraised as part of the loan application.
With a home equity loan, you can borrow up to 80% of your home’s value. You will receive a lump-sum payment and will have to pay it back (principal plus interest) in a certain amount of time with fixed payments and on a fixed schedule.
Since this is a secured loan, the interest rates tend to be lower than with unsecured loans. And you can have the option of a fixed or variable interest rate on your loan.
Home Equity Line of Credit
A home equity line of credit is also a secured loan that uses the value of your home as collateral and requires an appraisal. With a home equity line of credit (HELOC), you can borrow up to 65% of your home’s purchase price or market value.
As with the home equity loan, the interest rates tend to be lower with a HELOC since it is a secured loan. And there is also usually the option to choose fixed or variable interest rates. But with a HELOC, you only pay interest on the amount you use, and there is no fixed repayment schedule as there is with a home equity loan.
In-House Pool Financing
In-house pool financing is an unsecured loan offered through a pool building company, often from a third-party lender who works in partnership with the pool builder. Though the interest rates might be higher than with a secured loan, this type of financing is convenient and can be especially useful for those who have less-than-perfect credit scores.
Personal Loan or Line of Credit
Personal loans and lines of credit are unsecured loans, so they tend to have higher interest rates than secured loans and the interest rates are usually variable.
With a personal loan, you will receive a lump-sum payment. And you will have to make fixed monthly payments to pay off the principal plus interest over a set amount of time.
With a personal line of credit, you will have access to a set loan amount and only pay interest on what you use. You can also pay it off and continue to use it, even after you’ve paid off the amount for your pool project.
If you’re ready to start building your dream pool, but you can’t fork out all the money upfront, consider one of these pool financing options to help you get started. With pool financing, you can pay for your pool project with affordable monthly payments instead of breaking the bank. And instead of holding back, you can finally get the pool you’ve always dreamed of.