Does a Hot Tub Add Value to a Home?

When I bought my hot tub, I was thinking more about my own comfort than about its effect on my home, but can a hot tub actually add value to a property? I decided to find out more about whether my purchase could be worth more than I imagined in the long run.

So, does a hot tub add value to a home? As long as the hot tub is in-built into the ground and also features some attractive landscaping or brickwork around it, it can increase the value of your property significantly. A portable or free-standing hot tub, on the other hand, won’t add any value at all.

Now we know that a hot tub can have an impact on the worth of your property on the open market. However, which factors come into play to determine just how much a spa could boost your home’s value?

When Does A Hot Tub Increase Your Home’s Worth?

In general, having a hot tub will give your property’s value a boost. However, there’s a catch. It has to be an in-ground or built-in spa. If you have a portable/free standing or inflatable hot tub, this will be viewed simply as a piece of personal property so it won’t count as part of the fixtures and fittings of your home when it comes to a sale. A permanent hot tub, however, will definitely factor into your house’s value. Spas which are built into the deck or patio or, indeed, any kind of spa which is connected directly to your home’s water system will make your home more attractive to potential purchasers and therefore more valuable.

For many people, a hot tub is synonymous with luxury and comfort, and that’s something that every buyer wants in their new property. If you have a hot tub at home, you already have an advantage when it comes to attracting potential purchasers who are looking for ways to make their new residence even more desirable.

You can add even more value to your home’s hot tub by adding some attractive landscaping around it. If you build around your spa, it will look and feel like a more permanent fixture while also enabling it to blend in with the surrounding scenery in a visually appealing way. There are several ways this can be achieved. Building some decking around your hot tub, making a pad or patio specifically designed to the specifications of your hot tub, building in a short flight of steps or adding a gazebo or pergola to the hot tub area are all ideal options for adding value.

Of course, it goes without saying that the condition and appearance of your hot tub itself has a key part to play. If the spa is properly-maintained and clean, this will also add value for prospective home buyers.

Interestingly, if you live in a seasonal vacation destination or in a colder climate, having a specially designed hot tub retreat is an even bigger selling point. Specialists in vacation rentals even rate a hot tub as the top value-adding amenity when it comes to finding a buyer or tenant.

How Can I Maximize The Value Of My Hot Tub?

If you’re ready to buy a hot tub with a view to boosting the value of your home, there are some things which you can do to maximize its value.

Firstly, you should make sure that you’ve placed your spa in the right location and incorporated it well into its surroundings so that it looks as attractive as possible. You need to make your tub look as appealing as possible, perhaps with a pergola or gazebo, or with some pretty landscaping around it. If there is any debris around the hot tub area, make sure that it has all been cleared away before any potential buyers come around.

You should also take care to maintain your hot tub to the highest standard. Make sure you replace all worn out components and parts, replace the filters at the recommended intervals and have it professional maintained as and when required. You should also make sure that you clean out your hot tub regularly and thoroughly so it looks as good as new when potential buyers come around for a viewing. The water needs to be completely clear and clean ready for viewers to see. If your hot tub is going to be covered up when viewings take place, make sure you’ve chosen an aesthetically pleasing, high-quality cover.

You should also take care to choose a high quality hot tub in the first place. The best spas on the market last for at least a decade, so it makes sense to choose a reputable model from a well-known and respected company so you can be sure of maximizing its value.

It’s important to be aware that staging is key to getting maximum value when selling your property, and planning the staging of your hot tub area is especially important. A spa can be a big selling point for certain buyers, so make sure you don’t overlooking this valuable feature of your home. Make sure that yours is working for you so that your property stands out from the crowd.

What About My Portable Hot Tub?

While permanent and inbuilt hot tubs are certain to add value to your property, the waters become more muddy when it comes to portable spas. If your hot tub can be removed with no remodelling or construction work taking place, it probably won’t be included in the valuation of your home. It will almost certainly be expected that the spa will be taken with you when you move out, so it won’t add any value at all. You can, however, circumvent this problem if you do intend to leave the hot tub behind when you leave. Simply build it into a designated area with some decking or other fixed structure surrounding it, and it will immediately cross the boundary from portable to permanent and be included in the valuation.

How Much Value Can A Hot Tub Add To My Home?

There isn’t a single definitive answer to this question. The precise figure will depend on a number of factors. These include the condition and location of your hot tub, the landscaping or surroundings around it, even the area in which your property is located. For example, if you live in an area where lots of other houses have inbuilt hot tubs, your home may not be seen as especially valuable, however in other locations where your home may stand out from the crowd because of its built-in hot tub, it could add a lot more value.

Does Climate Matter When It Comes To Hot Tubs And Increased Home Value?

The short answer to this question is yes, climate does have a role to play in whether or not having an installed hot tub at your property will increase its overall value. Evidence shows that if you live in a colder climate, your home will be infinitely more desirable if you have an in-built spa. This is because there’s nothing quite like soaking outdoors in your hot tub during the winter months as the snow comes falling down. There is also, however, an argument for hot tubs in warm climates too. Lots of people prefer to go outdoors and enjoy their hot tub when the sun is shining and the temperatures outside aren’t too extreme. That means that if you live in a location with moderate or warm temperatures, you could find that your hot tub makes your property even more desirable to potential buyers.

Related Questions

Are there any drawbacks to having a hot tub when it comes to selling your property? Although in most cases, having a properly in-built, well-maintained hot tub will be an advantage when selling your home and could add plenty of extra value to its worth, there may be some buyers who are deterred at the prospect of having a hot tub in their new home. The ongoing costs of maintenance can be one negative factor to consider. Also, if your hot tub is inbuilt and the new purchaser doesn’t want it, the costs and hassle of having to remove it and the construction work that this would involve can also be a major drawback.

Are there any other advantages of having a hot tub if I want to sell my house? Although having a hot tub won’t always add value to your property, it can offer another distinct advantage – it can make your home more unusual and therefore more interesting to many potential purchasers. Even if you don’t stand to make any extra money from the sale of your home simply through the benefit of having a spa on your property, it’s perfectly possible, and even highly likely, that there will be more people who are interested in viewing and purchasing your house simply because of this feature, and so the chances of a speedy sale are increased.