After a hard day’s work, nothing can relax you like a dip into a hot tub, pool or spa. The great thing about a hot, tub pool or spa is that they don’t just make your home more enjoyable, they also make it more marketable.It’s a fact that adding a hot tub, pool or spa can add value to your home in the event that you ever wish to sell it. However, making sure you choose the right hot tub, pool or spa and the right people to install them is important to keep a money maker from turning into a money pit.According to the National Association of Realtors, in-ground pools can add up to 11 percent to the value of a home. For this value, there is a price. Pools cost money to maintain, in water and power bills and in chemical treatments. If you contract a pool service to treat and vacuum your pool, it will cost you between $1,500 and $2,000 a year. For swimming pool owners in cold climes, heating a pool for just one season can increase your heating bills by $500.Before purchasing a pool, make sure you learn about all the costs involved and how to properly maintain the pool. With a little do-it-yourself work, you can greatly reduce the cost of upkeep, thus preventing you from getting underwater on your aquatic investment.There’s often a lot of confusion about the difference between a hot tub and a spa, so here’s a hard and fast definition. Hot tubs are made of wood, and usually also have a liner on the inside. Hot tubs have jets, just like a spa, but don’t have the contoured seating which spas offer. Spas are constructed of fiberglass or acrylic and generally last longer than a hot tub.The average hot tub or spa costs about $5,000 to install. How much they increase your home value depends on a number of factors, including where you live. In the South, hot tubs and spas aren’t as sought after as they are in the Pacific Northwest, or other chilly climes where evenings are cool even in the summer.When purchasing a hot tub or spa, you should ask a few questions before making your choice, such as: Will my floor support the hot tub or spa? What kind of heating and filtration system does it have? How energy efficient is the hot tub or spa? Is it easy to clean and maintain? What sort of warranty is being offered by the dealer?A hot tub, pool or spa can be a great investment and also make your house a fun place for parties and social events. Making the right choices and taking the right steps in the early stages of installation can keep these luxuries from becoming liabilities.
