A hot tub sounds like the ideal purchase, perfect for a romantic evening or a therapeutic soak.
While backyard swimming pools aren’t common in the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest, hot tubs — and the increasingly popular swim spas — are frequent additions.
Hot tubs, pools and swim spas are terrific if the homeowner is a fan and willing to keep up with the required maintenance, real estate experts say.
Once the property goes on the market, what once seemed like a jewel may become a liability.
“To be quite honest, my clients never are really interested,” said Teresa Sifferman, an agent with Windemere Real Estate HKW in Alderwood.
Still, a hot tub or spa can be the deciding factor that leads to a sale, said Khasha Mekanik, the president of Lynnwood’s Black Pine Spas and Leisure Products.
“It’s going to be a desirability factor,” Mekanik said.
Line up four similar homes and buyers are likely to choose the one with the hot tub.
People start imagining themselves in the spa, relaxing and soaking up the warmth, Mekanik said.
That can be the stand-out feature that buyers need to make an offer.
“It is a good marketing tool as it definitely enhances the write-up on the home and attracts more buyers,” said Pat Deptuch, a Re/Max Metro Properties agent.
Despite managing thousands of transactions in more than two decades, Deptuch said swimming pools only were involved in a tiny fraction of the homes.
“I’ve probably only (had) two or three clients who had pools,” Deptuch said. “Spas account for a smaller portion of sales, and they can definitely be a plus when I design a marketing program for the home. It certainly gives me an additional item to advertise.”
Hot tubs range in cost from about $4,000 to $13,000 or more, Mekanik said.
Home sellers shouldn’t expect to recoup all of the spa investment, he said. Still, “it adds to the liquidity of your house.”
The Lynnwood business owner said he’s selling more swim spas, a kind of treadmill for swimmers. The swim spas are longer and deeper than traditional hot tubs. They’re filled with high-powered jets that simulate lap swimming.
Many swim spas come equipped with dual water tanks providing either about 80-degree water for exercise or 100-degree water for relaxing.
The swim spas can cost up to $45,000.
Most hot tubs and spas are installed outdoors, he said. Installation indoors requires major renovations, not least a doorway big enough for the hot tub or spa to fit through.
It’s worth doing plenty of homework before making a spa purchase. Make sure considerations are made for installation, maintenance, upkeep and electricity bills.
Sometimes it make sense to pay a bit more for a more efficient model to save electricity and reduce the amount of chemicals needed to clean the water.
In the end, spas and pools are personal decisions.
“Spas are reasonable enough to purchase so that it doesn’t make much difference whether (a home) has one or not,” Deptuch said. “If the view is right, a spa is a nice touch.”
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Resources
Black Pine Spa and Leisure Products: 425-771-5774, www.blackpinespas.com.
Teresa Sifferman, Windemere Real Estate HKW: 425-776-9580, teresasifferman.mywindermere.com.
Pat Deptuch, Re/Max Metro Properties: 206-406-2660, www.patdeptuch.com.
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