Buy the summer dream for less: 6 houses with pools for less than $1 million

With summer well and truly upon us, having easy access to a pool is the great Australian dream for many property owners and aspiring buyers. 

“Australians are driven by lifestyle, and if an Australian was offered a pool or not a pool and they could afford it, I think most people would edge towards a pool,” says Domain chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell.

“Australians are obsessed with pools,” she says. “Pool is one of the number one search terms used on Domain.”

With the cost of building a pool having soared by more than 30 per cent over the past few years – Master Pool Builders Association Australia estimates a concrete pool now costs anywhere between $80,000 and $150,000 – already having a pool can give a house a massive edge over other properties, Powell says.

That edge often translates into higher demand – and higher prices.

“[A] pool would be absolutely part of the consideration in pricing,” Powell says. “Lifestyle features of a home add value, and there are buyers out there who are willing to pay for that value.”

Finding a house with a pool, on a budget, in a capital city, is getting more difficult these days but it can be done.

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite ones on the market for those with a $1 million budget. 

Sydney

JUST LISTED

21 Hibiscus Crescent, Macquarie Fields NSW 2564

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Macquarie Fields is 44 kilometres south-west of the CBD, and this three-bedroom home boasts a fully gated pool. The pool itself doesn’t take up a large portion of the backyard, offering an opportunity to transform the area into the ultimate relaxation zone. 

Melbourne

$940,000-$990,000

21 Coolong Terrace, Doreen VIC 3754

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Located in Doreen, less than an hour’s drive north-east of the Melbourne CBD, this double-storey home is on the market for $940,000 to $990,000. In the meticulously landscaped backyard, there’s a modern pool and pool house ready for long summer days. 

ESR: $800,000 - $860,000

67 Hume Street, Greensborough VIC 3088

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This three-bedroom house in Greensborough is on the market with a price guide of $800,000 to $860,000 – more than $100,000 below the suburb’s house price median, according to Domain data. The pool sits at the rear of an elevated block and feels worlds away among its leafy surrounds. 

Brisbane

$860,000

56 Coondooroopa Dr, Macleay Island QLD 4184

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Aquatic living is the name of the game at this three-bedroom Macleay Island home. For a price guide of $860,000, buyers get ocean views and an in-ground saltwater pool with tropical surrounds, bringing the beach to the comfort of your own home.

Adelaide

$899,000 - $979,000

10B Frank Street, Newton SA 5074

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Located north-east of Adelaide, this modern home offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a price guide of $899,000 to $979,000. With no grass in sight, a large pool is the feature of this backyard and is accessible straight from the living room.  

Perth

UNDER OFFER

18/20 Gochean Avenue, Bentley WA 6102

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This three-bedroom villa in Bentley is 10 kilometres from the CBD and features a communal pool, giving buyers access to refreshing water without the maintenance.