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Homeowners Get in the Swim of Things
From Print EditionBy Elise McKeownYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- As the weather turns warm, trees sprout buds, robins return and lawns turn green, kids look forward to the end of the school year and parents plan for summer vacation. Some don't look further than their own back yard. "People are saying, 'We're not taking a vacation this year,'" says Linda Penman, assistant manager at D & G Pools Inc. in North Lima. Instead they buy a swimming pool, making a "long-term investment instead of a one-time investment," she says.With above-ground pools starting at $1,800, in-ground pools at $20,000 and hot tubs -- also called spas -- at $3,200, the customers Will Oddis sees are "very budget-oriented," he says. "They have the money set aside for that project." Oddis is sales manager for Burnett Pools & Spas.Pools are no longer seen as the luxury item they once were, says Steve Bayer, owner of Caribbean Pools & Hot Tubs in Austintown. Buyers see them as part of their backyard entertainment options.An above-ground pool is a reasonable option for middle-class families, says Cindy Duncan, sales manager for Blue Dolphin Pools & Spas Ltd. in Warren."An in-ground pool is more of a luxury," she points out. And a $20,000 pool can easily become a $50,000 pool because "there's an endless array of items you could tack on," she says. Slides, diving boards, fencing, fountains and fiber-optic lights are some of the items pool-buyers can add.Although D&G, like most pool retailers, sells pools year-round, sales started picking up in early March and remain strong, Penman reports, this year showing an increase over last year's sales.Burnett's three locations are seeing an increase of 25% to 30% over last year's sales, Oddis says. "People are cautiously optimistic as far as spending residual dollars on leisure," he comments.Weather affects pool sales, says Sally Rice, president of Homestead Pools in Salem. On a sunny day phones ring frequently, on a cool, overcast day, not nearly as often. "People are still waiting to see what the weather will be like this year," Blue Dolphin's Duncan says. Sales have been holding steady, she reports, with some areas up and others down. "We're seeing a little bit more repair work," she says, because last winter was rougher than average. On the other hand, chemical sales are down because many owners have supplies left over from last summer and others are waiting to see how the weather turns out."Pool sales started a little slow this year because last summer was so wet," says Andy Shobel, owner of two Litehouse franchises in Niles and Boardman. Sales early in the year correlate with the previous summer's weather, he says. If it is a hot year, sales will be brisk; if it is rainy, sales reflect that."Spa sales have been improving just about every year," though, Shobel reports. At some Litehouse stores, hot tub sales have surpassed those of pools. Where hot tubs can be used year-round, Shobel says, pools are seasonal. And while pools are usually purchased with kids in mind, hot tubs appeal to a broader range of people. Peak sales of hot tubs occur in the fall and winter, he adds, because the water temperature -- 95 to 100 degrees -- is too warm for summer. Those who buy hot tubs, often joked about as the scene of wild parties, use them to unwind after a stressful day. They are "a more mature group of people who are looking to better their lifestyles," Oddis says."We're still selling more pools than hot tubs," Caribbean's Bayer says, but sales of hot tubs are increasing as more people become familiar with them and their benefits. For example, baby boomers are aging, he says, and they are discovering how hot tubs can alleviate their aches and pains. Of those who buy pools, 15% purchase a hot tub at the same time, he says."They've become more legitimate," says Litehouse's Shobel. "Spas are becoming more recognized for their therapeutic value." Doctors write prescriptions for hot tubs for patients with arthritis and injuries, he says.In-ground pools often enhance the value of a property for first-time home buyers, says D&G's Penman, but "it's going to depend what the buyer's market is." Swimming pools aren't a deterrent to potential home buyers, Oddis says, because above-ground pools can be taken down and sold or scrapped, and in-ground pools are a "wonderful feature for a lot of people.""It depends on the buyer," offers John Burgan, owner of Burgan Real Estate, Boardman. "A pool is an advantage to some, a disadvantage to others." Bottom line: If a home-owner spends $25,000 or $30,000 for a swimming pool, he most likely won't get that kind of return when he sells the house. But, Burgan points out, people don't install pools to increase the resale value of their houses; they add them to enhance their lives.The pool industry is seeing increased use of soft-sided walls for above-ground pools instead of those made of steel or aluminum construction, says Burnett's Oddis. "It's something that a homeowner can build," he says. They are "excellent quality," he says and can be taken down and moved.These pools cost less, Duncan agrees, but their sales haven't been increasing. "It's an item customers inquire about," she says. "I don't think it's going to wipe out what has been out there."Resin, as opposed to aluminum or steel, is also being used for above-ground pools, Shobel says, making them more permanent. Above-ground pools have been considered temporary because they are expected to last 10 to 15 years. Resin has "zero upkeep," he says, where paint fades on aluminum and steel, requiring touch-ups.More people regard their pools as an integral part of the landscapes of their homes, he adds. "Years ago a pool was an added thought to a backyard or patio," Shobel says. Today homeowners plan decks, patios and landscaping with the purchase of a pool or hot tub in mind. The computer programs used to draw pool plans can include landscaping, Bayer adds.Contact Elise McKeown at [email protected]"