How Much Value Do Hot Tubs Add ?

[Paul Shraga]

saw this general article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...-2003Jul10.html

.. and was curious if hot tubs generally add value.

I suppose the answer is "it depends"...but I was just wonderin...

thx.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Pretty much like an above ground pool - Personal Property and no added value on the Real Property Appraisal.

Unless.... it's truly built in. I've seen them built into the ground on porches, Florida rooms, etc. and in that case, I usually give then about $1,000. Some people love them. Some people hate them or will never use past 1 or 2 times and then consider it in the way. If removing it would cause additional construction to close the hole in the house, the porch, etc. then I consider it built in; if it can be moved without causing much of a difference or if it's sitting on top of the floor or patio, it's personal property.

 

[Richard J. Glesser]

You're right - it depends.

Pam's correct in that it must be built-in to be of value. After that it depends on your market area. In Northern Michigan near the ski resorts and golf courses, they're worth more than an inground swimming pool which is only useable 3 months a years. :usa:

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

It depends is a verwwwy good answer! In Colorado they have more value (I think) than in say, Florida. Minimal is a good word to use. I might adjust $1,000 to $1,500 for a nice hot tub on a deck or patio with built-in plumbing and electric. If it is included in the contract I usually consider it but if I don't need to adjust for it...I don't.

I personally hate telling a property owner their $5,000 hot tub has no value. Bad PR! Same is true with swimming pools. A $28,000 in ground pool obviously has some value ... the question is ....how much????? That's what we get paid the big bucks for...making that call.

 

[Dave Smith]

My spa is worth big bucks to me. Its free standing on a deck built specifically for the spa. I've had it nine years and use it every single evening. Try a bottle of champagne in the spa on a cold snowy night, with the stars overhead, with one you love. Wonderful!!!

Shooting stars, satellites, the space station, meteor showers, UFOs,etc. Wonderful!!!

Doesn't add a penny to my house value but it sure adds quality to my way of life.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Saw a condo project today that had a pool and spa. Had being the operative word for the spa. It had been filled in and concreted over. The obvious clues were the round concrete circle, the hand rail sticking up! from the concrete, and of course it was next to the pool.

Guess that HOA decided the spa was more trouble than it was worth. :lol:
Guess what kind of area this is in. OK, a funky area.

 

[Restrain]

I was the buyer's agent for a home that had a deck and built-in hot tub. The buyers gave exactly $0 for the hot tub. They give minimal to zero value, even built-in because the effective life is low and the maintenance and operation costs can be significant.

Roger