Ripple Effects

Yes, we know. Pools are a hassle. If you own a home with an in-ground pool, you know that too. There’s the maintenance – even if you hire a pool service to handle the chemicals and routine cleaning, it’s likely you’ll still be fishing palm fronds and insects out of the pool from time to time.

Yes, we know. Pools are a hassle. If you own a home with an in-ground pool, you know that too. There’s the maintenance – even if you hire a pool service to handle the chemicals and routine cleaning, it’s likely you’ll still be fishing palm fronds and insects out of the pool from time to time. There’s the high cost of insurance premiums and utilities and the safety issues if you have children.

But a pool also makes it easy (and fun) to get low- impact exercise. It’s a beautiful backdrop for entertaining and relaxing. It can improve the health of your children

– not only to help fight obesity, but a study also found that swimming is a way for asthmatic kids to exercise without provoking an attack. And it’s just so convenient to have a backyard pool for those times you want to get some cardio in but don’t feel like heading to the gym.

Many home buyers, especially newcomers to the area, want a pool because it’s such an integral part of life here. Even if there’s a pool in your community, there’s just something about having your own. Perhaps that’s why Florida ranks second only to California in the number of in-ground swimming pools sold and installed, according to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, a trade association.

“One of the first items a buyer will request when looking to purchase a single-family home is a pool,” says Matthias Fretz, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Jupiter. “The South Florida buyer places a high importance on outdoor living, and a well-designed pool is a must-have for entertaining, relaxation and aesthetics.”

But there are pools, and there are pools. Sure, you could build a classic 15-foot by 30-foot kidney-shaped pool intended for smaller lots in new-home communities, or you could create a resort-style pool with spa, beach entry and a rock waterfall controlled by your smart phone.

You can also opt for one of the pools here. 

Balinese Escape 

Listed for $18.975 million, this 26,654-square-foot custom mansion at 9200 Rockybrook Way in Delray Beach’s exclusive Stone Creek Ranch community is known as “the Sundara Estate.” Inspired by the beauty and tranquility of the Four Seasons Bali, the outdoor space was designed to be an oasis that combines nature, fire and water. Buddha statues from Indonesia adorn the landscape and were placed by a feng shui master. There’s also a 170,000-gallon salt water pool with cascading water features, a multi-level poolside cabana and custom lighting synchronized with audio for perfect poolside ambience.