by Blake Herzog
Greater Prescott has what could be called the perfect hot-tub climate. Winters are chilly but not Flagstaff – or Fargo-level freezing for months on end, spring and fall are the sweet spots for simmering and even many summer nights are cool enough for the backyard spa to beckon.
Yet adding one isn’t going to be a surefire way to boost your home’s resale value.
A standalone unit that isn’t recessed into the ground is usually considered personal property and not considered when a home’s value is being calculated. You might get more money from selling it on the used hot-tub market, where it could fetch as much as one-third of its original price or be traded in for a discount on your next one, if you aren’t interested in hauling it to your new place.
A built-in hot tub or spa will be considered as your home is appraised but in most cases won’t boost the valuation on its own. Yet the surrounding landscaping and amenities like a deck or gazebo probably will end up in the “plus” column, so if you want and will use a hot tub integrate it attractively into your property — it’ll be even more enjoyable, too!
A tub could speed up a sale
Most people love to sit back and relax in a spa but not as many are interested in owning and maintaining one. They tend to land on one side of the fence or the other, eager to take on the expense so they can soak whenever they want or fearful of money and safety issues, especially if there will be young children around.
It’s impossible to predict which kind of potential buyers you get, but there’s a good chance some of them will see an immaculate, smooth-running tub as a bonus that helps put your home at the top of their list.
A nonworking unit will always be a drain on your value and pool of customers, however, so be prepared to fix it or take it out before putting your house on the market.
