Buying a Home With a Pool in Myrtle Beach: What to Check First

A private pool can be a major lifestyle benefit when you live along the Grand Strand.

It can give you a place to relax, entertain family and enjoy the outdoors without packing the car for the beach. For buyers moving from New Jersey, the longer warm-weather season can make a pool feel more practical than it did back home.

However, a pool is also a working system—not simply a blue feature in the backyard.

Its condition, equipment, safety features, insurance requirements and ongoing maintenance can materially affect the ownership experience. Before buying a Myrtle Beach-area home with a pool, here is what I recommend investigating.

Schedule a Separate Pool Inspection

A general home inspection may include basic observations about a pool, but its scope can be limited.

Consider hiring a qualified pool professional to inspect the complete system. That evaluation may include:

• Pool surface and visible structure
• Coping and surrounding deck
• Pump and motor
• Filter
• Heater
• Plumbing and valves
• Skimmers and drains
• Electrical components
• Lights
• Automation controls
• Saltwater system or chlorinator
• Water features
• Spa equipment
• Safety barriers and gates

Ask whether the inspection includes leak detection, pressure testing or an evaluation of underground plumbing. Those services may require additional testing.

A clear-looking pool can still have an aging pump, concealed leak or damaged surface. It is better to identify those concerns while you still have time to evaluate them under the purchase contract.

Ask for the Pool’s Maintenance History

Pool equipment does not last forever, and replacement costs can add up quickly.

Request any available records showing:

• Pool installation date
• Builder or installer
• Resurfacing history
• Pump and filter replacement dates
• Heater age and service history
• Salt-cell replacement
• Leak repairs
• Recent water testing
• Winter or storm-related damage
• Pool-service company information
• Warranties that may transfer

Also ask whether the owner maintains the pool personally or uses a professional service.

If a pool looks unusually cloudy, stained or low during a showing, do not accept a casual explanation without further investigation. The condition may result from a simple maintenance issue, but it could also indicate a problem with circulation, chemistry or the pool surface.

Understand the Type of Pool You Are Buying

Not every swimming pool has the same maintenance needs.

Determine whether the property has:

• A concrete, gunite or fiberglass pool
• A vinyl-lined pool
• A saltwater chlorine-generation system
• A traditionally chlorinated system
• A heated pool
• An attached spa
• An automatic cleaning system
• A screened enclosure
• Additional water features

“Saltwater pool” does not mean the pool is chemical-free. A salt system uses dissolved salt and equipment that generates chlorine. The salt cell, control board and other components still require monitoring and eventual replacement.

Different surfaces also have different repair and replacement considerations. Ask a pool professional to explain the expected maintenance for the specific system rather than relying on general online estimates.

Look Beyond the Water

Buyers naturally focus on the pool itself, but the surrounding area is equally important.

Walk the entire backyard and examine:

• Cracks or movement in the deck
• Loose or damaged coping
• Drainage toward or away from the house
• Standing water
• Fence and gate condition
• Outdoor electrical outlets
• Retaining walls
• Screen-enclosure condition
• Trees and roots near the pool
• Distance from neighboring properties
• Storage for chemicals and equipment
• Access for future repairs

Large trees may provide welcome shade, but they can also drop leaves, affect water chemistry and create root concerns. Poor drainage can send stormwater or landscaping debris toward the pool.

Also consider the amount of usable yard remaining. A pool may look attractive in listing photographs while occupying nearly all the outdoor space you expected to use for children, pets or entertaining.

Review Safety Features Carefully

Pool safety should be treated as an ownership priority, especially when children or grandchildren will visit.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely program recommends multiple protective measures, including barriers, alarms and properly functioning covers. It advises using a non-climbable fence at least four feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Review Pool Safely’s current safety guidance.

Inspect the property’s:

• Fencing
• Gates and latches
• Door and window access
• Pool alarms
• Drain covers
• Safety cover
• Lighting
• Steps and handrails
• Chemical-storage area

Existing features should not automatically be assumed to satisfy current requirements. Rules can depend on the property’s jurisdiction, construction date and project scope, so permit and code questions should be confirmed with the appropriate local authority.

Verify Permits and Improvements

Ask whether the pool, spa, deck, fence, heater and electrical work were properly permitted when required.

As of August 2026, Horry County’s published building-permit guidance lists only prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep among its pool-related permit exemptions. Larger pools and related improvements should be researched with the applicable city or county department. Review Horry County’s current permit guidance.

Permit history may help answer questions about when the pool was installed and whether inspections were completed. However, an old permit does not replace a current physical inspection.

If the property is inside a municipality rather than unincorporated Horry County, verify records with that municipality.

Contact the Insurance Company Early

Do not wait until a few days before closing to tell the insurance company about the pool.

The insurer may want information about:

• Pool type
• Diving board or slide
• Fence and gate
• Attached spa
• Screen enclosure
• Heater
• Pool condition
• Rental use
• Liability coverage
• Storm protection

Coverage and underwriting requirements vary by company and property.

If the home has a screen enclosure, determine how it is covered and whether windstorm damage is included or limited. Ask for a property-specific quote rather than assuming the seller’s premium will transfer to you.

Calculate the Complete Ownership Cost

The cost of a pool extends beyond chemicals.

Your budget may need to include:

• Professional pool service
• Water and electricity
• Chemicals and testing supplies
• Pump and filter maintenance
• Heating
• Screen repairs
• Deck maintenance
• Resurfacing or liner replacement
• Equipment repairs
• Increased insurance costs
• Safety improvements
• Storm preparation and cleanup

Ask for recent utility and pool-service bills when available. Actual expenses will depend on pool size, equipment efficiency, usage, heating preferences and whether you perform the maintenance yourself.

A pool that requires immediate resurfacing and equipment replacement creates a very different financial picture from one with recently updated systems.

Learn the Maintenance Routine

Even when you hire a service company, you should understand the basics of the pool’s operation.

The CDC’s current home-pool guidance says owners should routinely test disinfectant and pH levels. Its recommended pH range is 7.0 to 7.8, with specific disinfectant guidance depending on the pool system and products used. Read the CDC’s home-pool maintenance guidance.

Before closing, ask the owner or pool technician to show you:

• How to operate the pump and controls
• Where the shutoffs and breakers are located
• How to clean the filter
• How to manage the heater
• Which chemicals are used
• How the automation system works
• What to do before a major storm
• Which service providers have worked on the pool

Save equipment manuals, warranties and service contacts.

Consider How the Pool Affects Resale

A pool can be highly desirable to one buyer and an unwanted responsibility to another.

Its effect on marketability depends on the home, neighborhood, price range, lot size and condition of the pool. It should not automatically be valued according to what it originally cost to install.

If rental income is part of your plan, confirm HOA, zoning, licensing, insurance and property-management requirements. Do not assume a private pool automatically makes the property eligible or profitable as a short-term rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a pool inspection in addition to a home inspection?

Yes, a separate evaluation by a qualified pool professional can provide more detailed information about the structure, equipment, plumbing and operating condition.

Is a saltwater pool maintenance-free?

No. It still requires water testing, circulation, cleaning and equipment maintenance. The salt-generation system also contains components that eventually need service or replacement.

Can I rely on the seller’s pool-service company?

The service history can be helpful, but buyers should consider an independent evaluation performed for their benefit.

Will a pool increase homeowners insurance?

It may affect the premium, coverage or underwriting requirements. Obtain an insurance quote for the specific property before completing the purchase.

Does a pool always add value?

Not necessarily. Its contribution depends on buyer demand, condition, location, lot utility and comparable sales.

Let’s Find a Home That Fits Your Lifestyle

A private pool can add a lot of enjoyment to coastal living, but the best purchase is one made with a clear understanding of the maintenance, safety and complete ownership cost.

I can help you compare Myrtle Beach-area homes, gather the right property information and coordinate the professionals needed for informed due diligence.

If you are considering buying, selling or relocating to Myrtle Beach or anywhere along the Grand Strand, it all starts with a conversation.

This article provides general real estate information and is not legal, insurance, inspection, construction or pool-maintenance advice.

Joe Cala, REALTOR®
Weichert Realtors Southern Coast
📞 848-248-0730
📧 jcala@southern-coast.com
🌐 joseph-cala.weichertcarolina.com