Beat the winter blues with these N.J. homes that have indoor pools

Whether it’s for exercise, relaxation or a way to entertain the kids – a swim can be great.

But in New Jersey, the outdoor pool season lasts only a matter of a few months, thanks to Mother Nature. Maybe an indoor pool is the answer.

The cost to install an indoor pool can be $40,000 to $200,000, according to Fixr. The range takes into account what material the pool is made out of, a dehumidification system and even a structure to house it. The average cost is about $95,000 for 12-foot x 24-foot indoor pool that’s 40 inches deep, with concrete pool decking and a fiberglass liner in an existing structure, Fixr found.

Once installed, there aren’t huge costs associated with operating an indoor pool.

“They’re more affordable than most would think,” said Doreen DeMarco, a broker associate with BHHS Fox & Roach Holmdel, who has a listing in Holmdel that has an indoor pool.

The owner of that home says it costs about $10 a month to operate the pool.

Homes with indoor pools generally appeal to people who are health conscious, empty nesters or who have some type of disability that swimming could be good for, agents say.

“Most buyers with young children are afraid of it,” said Mike Randy, an agent with Coldwell Banker Realty in Allendale, who specializes in Saddle River, where about 10% of homes have indoor pools, he said.

“It’s like tennis courts. They’re great if you play tennis, otherwise people don’t really want them in their yard,” he said.

An indoor pool does about the same for a home’s value as an outdoor pool would, said Evan Siegel, a home appraiser with American Realty Appraisals in Westfield.

“I don’t think I make a distinction in terms of value between a nice indoor pool and nice outdoor pool,” Siegel said. “There is (a segment) that doesn’t want an indoor pool and would rather have an outdoor pool. But pools are more valuable now than pre-pandemic.”

In homes under a million dollars, a pool adds about $20,000 to $25,000 to its value. In a nicer home valued above $1 million, a pool can be upwards of a $50,000 adjustment, he said.

But, just like outdoor pools, indoor pools can turn away some buyers, agents said.

“The subset of people looking for a home with an indoor pool is much smaller than the number of people who are shopping for a home,” said Richard Lattmann, of Kienlen Lattmann Sotheby’s International Realty. “Those that do recognize the value … can use it on a day like today because they have a beautiful, heated pool inside.”

Here are some New Jersey homes for sale that have indoor pools:

1. 30 Belcher Lane, Far Hills – listed for $1.15 million

This five-bedroom, 4-and-a-half bathroom home is a sprawling 5,677-square-feet and sits on 8.3 acres. Listing agent Sara Tozzi said the home’s unique layout and location, near The Hunt, have generated interest and four offers. It is currently under contract. The indoor pool area has doors that open to create an indoor/outdoor feeling.

2. 20 Indian Creek Road, Holmdel – listed for $1.9 million

The indoor pool in this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home is accessible from a spiral staircase in the primary bedroom. It has a treadmill built into the 14-and-a-half foot by 9-foot by 4-and-a-half pool so the swimmer can control the intensity of the current he or she swims against for an endless distance, said listing agent Doreen DeMarco of BHHS Fox & Roach in Holmdel. The home is 5,395-square-feet and is on a 1.15 acre lot.

3. 64 Stoney Ridge Road, Saddle River – listed for $5.295 million

This five-bedroom, six-and-a-half bathroom home is on a 1.75 acre lot. It’s a smart house with hand-cut stone exterior and entry walls, a slate roof with heated copper and lead gutters. The marble foyer has mahogany woodwork, a sweeping staircase and coffered ceilings. The indoor pool and spa are located inside a home gym with a full bathroom.

4. 125 Pleasant Hill Road, Chester – listed for $2.3 million

This 7,370-square-foot home on 5 acres has both indoor and outdoor pools, along with six bedrooms and five bathrooms. And it was designed by renowned architect and artist Richard Meier. The home has been featured by NJ Advance Media, in the New York Times and Luxury Home & Living.

5. 468 Cherry Hill Lane, Mendham – listed for $1.85 million

A six-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home spanning 7,800-square-feet and set on 6 acres. It has indoor and outdoor pools that are accessible to each other through a wall of slider doors and a terrace. And it also has a tennis court. The price of the home was recently reduced by $350,000, listing agent Chris Young Joo of Keller Williams Towne Square Realty said.

6. 401 Clarkstown Road, Mays Landing – listed for $749,900

A riverside five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home where the indoor pool is in the center of it all, listing agent Vishal N. Brahmbhatt of Re/Max Atlantic said. The 5,800-square-foot home is on a 1.12 acre lot and and included is a 0.13 acre lot that is adjacent to the river.

Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? Do you have tips about New Jersey’s real estate market? Unusual listings? Let us know.

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Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.