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Last Updated: 24 March 2017

Buyer's Advocate 'Secret Agent' has revealed the changing attitudes towards the amount of backyard inner city buyers prefer and the value created by having a pool in your house.

Secret Agent looked at ten suburbs in Melbourne’s inner East and South East: Kew, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Toorak, Kooyong, Armadale, Malvern, Glen Iris, Camberwell and Brighton. The study was limited to only include three to five bedroom houses for a more realistic representation of a pool’s value.

On average, a swimming pool added between 10% and 16% to the value of a house, with the lowest expected value created being approximately $140,000.

However, this varied between suburbs, from as low as 6% in Camberwell, up to 35% in Hawthorn East. In Kew, houses that featured a pool were expected to sell for $450,000 more, which is a premium of about 30%. In Hawthorn, a pool is expected to only add $180,000 (11%) to the value of a property.

There are a few explanations for the differences in added value. For example, a big house may have other extensive renovations aside from a pool; such as a cellar, theatre room, tennis courts and sculptured gardens. Additionally, the number of car spaces and the school zoning would have an impact on sale price.

A swimming pool can be a wonderful addition and a good investment, despite its seemingly high upfront costs, since the lowest expected value it can create is around $140,000. Much more than just dollars and cents, a pool satisfies our natural, instinctive need to be close to water.

Read this article 'Pools Add At Least $140,000 In Value To A House' online HERE

See this article featured in Pool+Spa on-line HERE

Read SPASA Victoria Media Release - Pools Add At Least $140,000 In Value To A House - 22 March 2017

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Last Updated: 27 February 2017

2017 SPASA Pool & Spa Expo a raging success

SPASA Victoria’s Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor Living show attracted a huge 22% more visitors than the 2016 event — a positive sign for the Victorian pool, spa and landscape industries.

There was more for consumers, with the new Outdoor Living hub attracting plenty of attention. A specially designed show garden was the centrepiece of the event, giving consumers a tangible idea of what is possible in their backyard.

The show’s 92 exhibitors were pleased with the increased foot traffic and found that visitor quality was high, with many consumers looking to lock in projects in the coming months.

A “raging success”

“The 2017 SPASA Pool & Spa Show was a raging success. I have never seen so many people attend a pool show,” said Waterco’s Brendan Nelissen.

“The 2017 expo was a huge success with increased foot traffic and great interest from visitors looking to plan their pool and landscape projects. The information seminars were well attended and there was a genuine thirst for knowledge from consumers. Most people I spoke to were finalising their plans and looking to commence projects in the coming months with a view to completing their backyard space in time for next summer,” said Cliff Cooke of Cooke Industries.

What’s hot?

Hot trends at this year’s expo included:

• The ‘whole-backyard’ trend. Consumers increasingly want a ‘one-stop shop’ for their pool and landscape design and construction, and see the value in landscape design when considering a new pool or spa
• Automation systems, particularly automated in-floor cleaning systems and automatic levellers — essentially, products that make a pool easy to own
• European-designed spas
• Products that fit into ever-decreasing backyard sizes: plunge pools, spas and swim spas. Pools still have a place in the backyard but they have to compete for space with features like outdoor kitchens, entertaining areas and garden features

From back door to back fence

Attendee surveys from the event revealed that consumers are increasingly demanding a one-stop shop for their backyard renovations.

The latest trends in pool design focus on “bringing the outdoors in and taking the indoors out — opening up the living spaces to the pool and backyard”, said Brendan Watkins, CEO of SPASA Victoria.

Justine Carlile of Justine Carlile LANDSCAPEdesign, a first-time exhibitor, identified three key factors that contributed to the increased foot traffic:

• A surge in domestic building activity around Melbourne leading to an expected solid demand this year for new pools and spas
• The high quality and diverse range of speakers at the daily public presentations, particularly in regards to the importance of having a landscape design when considering a new swimming pool or spa
• The introduction of the Outdoor Living hub at this year’s Pool & Spa Expo, where there was a focus on integrating pool construction into landscape design to provide an enhanced outcome

Positive feedback

“The feedback from visitors was particularly encouraging, as they appreciated being able to receive advice on landscape design and outdoor furniture selection to complement their pool and spa aspirations,” said Carlile.

“The feedback from other exhibitors was similarly encouraging as they appreciated the increased diversity of exhibitors and the increased professionalism demonstrated by fellow SPASA members.”

“This year’s Pool & Spa Expo was much busier than previous years. The quality was also much better; we have had much better and much quicker results than the previous five years,” said Ted Martin from Compass Pools Victoria.

“I thought it was amazing! The responses and amount of feedback we received was incredible. I would do it next year,” said exhibitor David Jarman of Coolabah Landscapes.

“This year’s show was more lively, especially the centre of the expo — the Show Garden — attracted a lot of people our way. The combination of Justine Carlile LANDSCAPEdesign and LV provided a complete solution for everything from full construction to landscaping to poolscaping and outdoor furniture. It was great to have them all involved. The expo staff were amazing. They were extremely professional and deserve a massive pat on the back.”

Good deeds

Spa Industries Global converted the buzz around its new Spa Select European-design spas into generous support for charity. Three Spa Select spas were auctioned with no reserve, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“Over $20,000 was raised and a cheque was presented to Lisa Mastoras, head of Community Fundraising for National Breast Cancer Foundation. It was a sensational result!” said Spa Industries Global’s Rob Kruber.

What’s next?

Not content to rest on their laurels, the SPASA Victoria team is now working towards its Winter Show, to be held on 12 and 13 August. This is the second biggest consumer pool and spa expo in the country — second only to the Summer Show.

You can read the full article in the Pool and Spa Review HERE

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Last Updated: 22 February 2017

The Home Improvement section of the Herald Sun RealEstate newspaper on Saturday featured 'Lap of Luxury' - an article promoting the benefits of pool ownership and advocating that 'now's a good time to start the ball rolling' if you're in the market for a pool.

"Generally, pools do make homes more attractive to buyers if they're done well", writes Emma De Smit from the Herald Sun. "According to 2014 research conducted by buyers' advocate Secret Agent, pools in Melbourne's inner-eastern suburbs can add from about 6 to 30 per cent to the value of a home."

Likewise, the Age's 'Domain - New Living' newspaper on Saturday featured 'Cents and sensibility' in it's 'Style' section, with writer Darren Palmer stating that "...a pool can provide substantial value to [a] property. Take for example the home sold on The Block Allstars in 2013 for $1.4 million. In three years, the property was relatively unchanged except for the addition of a modest backyard pool and was sold for more than $2.5 million in 2016. A pool can be the perfect value-add to a home."

To read these articles in full see The Age Domain New Living - Cents and Sensibility and
Herald Sun Home Improvement - Lap of Luxury

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Last Updated: 30 January 2017

After a year of record-breaking temperatures , more Aussies than ever before are anticipated to flock to the SPASA Pool & Spa + Outdoor Living Expo, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 3 – 5 February 2017.

The Expo is the perfect place for homeowners wanting to add-value to their property with a backyard makeover, and families searching for solutions to escape a scorching summer, or soak their way through chilly winters.

The perfect outdoor renovation requires input from the best in the business, which is why the Expo welcomes the Outdoor Design Junction – where high-end land and poolscape suppliers and designers will showcase their most premium wares.

It’s not just ideas that will be blooming, as the epicenter of the Expo comes to life with a real Show Garden installed by OFTB, winner of SPASA’s 2015 Pool of the Year.

With new features from over 75 exhibitors, visitors can expect to dive into a world of the latest innovations in:

• Home landscaping
• Kid-friendly water slides
• Plunge pools
• Gazebos and pergolas
• Green energy and solar solutions
• Infrared saunas
• Alfresco dining spaces, outdoor kitchens and gardens
• Para-mobility equipment
• Robotic pool cleaners and filtering systems

And of course, every kind of pool imaginable; from concrete to fibreglass, seamless in-ground to above ground salt water, and much, much more.

“A backyard renovation can add tens of thousands of dollars to a property, if not more”, says Expo Director Sam Palermo “The 2017 Pool & Spa Expo is a must for any home-owners hoping to add instant equity to their property, or simply to welcome a touch of luxury to their homes."

In addition to an estimated 30 pools and spas on-site, and over 100 exhibitors, guests will also get the chance to speak to seasoned experts and attend free seminars on the best renovation solutions to suit their lifestyles and budgets.

Statistics show Australians live up to their water-loving stereotypes, with the country boasting 1.2 million household swimming pools ; the world’s highest per capita rate of pool ownership.

It will come as no surprise that swimming ranks as the most common sporting activity in Australia. For full information on all exhibitors, products and to book tickets, visit www.spasashow.com.au

Dates: Friday 3 February – Sunday 5 February 2017
Venue: Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
Times: Friday 3 February – 12noon – 9pm
Saturday 4 February – 10am – 8pm
Sunday 5 February – 10am – 6pm

Presale ticket prices: Book online www.spasashow.com.au 
Adults $17.50
Tickets at door: Adults $19.50
Children under 16 free of charge

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPASAPoolSpaExpo/
For further press information contact: HotHouse Media & Events - 03 9682 0222
Tess Fisher m: 0433 057 600 e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Adam Valentine m: 0411 302 769 e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.spasashow.com.au

Media Release - SPASA Victoria's Pool And Spa Expo The Place To Be This Summer

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Last Updated: 18 May 2017

Victorian Kids Remain At Risk Until Laws Change

Swim safety advocate Laurie Lawrence has spoken publicly on Channel 7's Sunrise television backing SPASA's Mandatory Pool and Spa Barrier Inspection Campaign.

Sunrise brought to light the fact that 100% of pools in some areas of Victoria are failing to adhere to the safety standards.

"It's absolutely dreadful", Laurie says. "My message has always been 'fence the pool, shut the gate'. The next thing we have to do is make sure that everyone out there makes their pool compliant."

A spokesperson from Life Saving Victoria says that they are “disappointed that successive State Governments have been unable to introduce reforms that have proven to lower drowning and near drowning occurrences in backyard swimming pools. Data is now available that shows regular mandatory compliance inspection of home pools and spas reduces the likelihood of childhood drowning. Since 2012 the Victorian Swimming Pool and Spa safety committee have advocated for:

• Establishment of a pool register
• Regular assessment of pool fences, including at point of sale / lease
• A targeted audit and compliance program
• An awareness campaign
• Mandatory CPR signage

These reforms were indorsed by the then Building Commissioner with no tangible outcomes. Life Saving Victoria,
SPASA Victoria and Kidsafe Victoria believe that these measures are essential in order to significantly reduce
preventable childhood backyard pool and spa drowning incidents, which are responsible for almost a quarter of all
Victorian fatal and non-fatal drowning.”

Kidsafe Victoria supports the call for the introduction of mandatory pool and spa barrier inspections in Victoria. "The recent statistics from Knox Council highlights the need to have a co-ordinated, State-wide system in place where pool and spa barriers are regularly inspected," said Jason Chambers, Kidsafe Victoria General Manager.

SPASA Victoria continues to implore the Victorian Government to pass legislation to:

1. Immediately make pool barrier compliance certification mandatory for all properties sold
or leased in Victoria
2. Introduce a mandatory barrier inspection protocol that ensures all residential properties
with a pool or spa in Victoria are inspected every three years

CEO of Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, Anthony McIntosh says, "Victoria's aquatics and recreation industry is very supportive of SPASA’s proposed measures, which will unquestionably prevent fatal and non-fatal drownings every year. For pool owners with existing pool barriers, to have the discipline to maintain these to a safe standard over the life of the pool will make an enormous difference to the safety of the pool - week in, week out."

Until mandatory pool and spa barrier inspections are legislated in Victoria, we will continue to see children at risk of backyard pool drownings.

Read SPASA Victoria Media Release - Victorian Kids Remain At Risk Until Laws Change - 16 December 2016

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Last Updated: 20 December 2016

Victorian Backyard Pool Safety Laws Dangerously Lagging - Western Australia Leads the Nation

This year marks 20 years since the ‘Keep Watch’ toddler drowning prevention program was first introduced in Western Australia.

An essential part of this ‘Keep Watch’ program was the legislation of mandatory pool and spa barrier inspections in 1992. Since then, there has been a dramatic 85% reduction in the rate of toddler drowning deaths in the state.

Read more ...