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What It’s Really Like to Own a Pool Home in Elko New Market (Plus One That’s Available Now)
When people find out a house has an in-ground pool, I usually hear one of two reactions. Either their eyes light up, or they start worrying about the cost and the work. The truth is, owning a pool in Minnesota is a lot more manageable than most people think. And I happen to have a great example to show you, because I’ve just listed one in Elko New Market at 10243 Ponds Way.
A House I Know Better Than Almost Any Other
This isn’t just another listing for me. This is the third time I’ve been part of selling this house.
- The first time, I represented the buyer when it sold as a bank-owned home.
- Years later, when that same client was ready to sell, he called me, and I sold it to the couple who owns it today. Their parents had been clients of mine, and the house was a perfect fit for everyone involved.
- Now I’m back to help them with the next chapter.
Because I’ve walked through this home at every stage, I can tell you exactly what’s been done to it. The current owners put real work into it: fresh paint throughout the interior, a top-to-bottom cleanup, an updated kitchen, new flooring, and a long list of pool upgrades. It shows.
The Backyard Is the Showstopper
Step out back and it feels like your own private getaway. Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- Heated in-ground pool with a newer liner, heater, and sand filter
- Electric safety cover that closes the pool off with the push of a button, for peace of mind and easier upkeep
- Wide concrete decking all the way around the pool
- Fully fenced yard with mature evergreens
- A cable-rail deck above, so the view isn’t blocked
- A covered patio below with a ceiling fan, for shade on the hottest days
What Does Owning a Pool in Minnesota Really Cost?
This is the question I get most from buyers looking at pool homes, so let me answer it plainly.
For most of the season, the main ongoing cost is just chemicals. If you’re not running the heater on a regular basis, your monthly expense is pretty modest.
Where costs can climb is heating the water:
- If you open the pool early, in April or May, or keep it open into late October, expect a noticeable heating bill. Warming that much water in cool Minnesota weather takes real energy.
- If you swim mainly during the warm summer months, the heater does a lot less work.
Then there’s opening and closing the pool each year:
- You can hire a pool company to open it in spring and winterize it in fall. In my experience, that typically runs around $200 each time, depending on the company.
- Or you can learn to do it yourself and save that cost.
It really comes down to how much you want to do yourself and how long you want your swim season to be. A pool doesn’t have to be a money pit. It’s a choice you control.
Inside the Home
The main level is full of natural light, and the layout flows the way people actually live.
- Two-story family room with a wall of windows, a gas fireplace, and a custom built-in entertainment center
- Updated kitchen with a huge center island with seating, quartz counters, tiled backsplash, gas range, and stainless appliances
- A patio door from the kitchen straight out to the deck and grill
- Casual dining area plus a formal dining room
- Front living room with a bright bay window
- Main-level bedroom with a built-in Murphy bed, great as an office or guest room
- Half bath on the main floor
- Durable luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the main level
Upstairs, an open loft overlooks the family room. The primary suite has a private bath with a dual vanity, soaking tub, and separate shower. Two more bedrooms share a full bath.
The Lower Level Is Built-In Equity
The walkout lower level is unfinished, and that’s an opportunity, not a drawback. It opens right onto the pool deck, and it already has a bathroom rough-in.
- Room for another bedroom
- Space for a huge family room that walks right out to the pool
- Room for a home gym
- An amazing amount of storage
Finishing it later lets you add living space and equity on your own timeline and your own budget. If you’ve never seen a bathroom rough-in, this short video shows you what to look for:
Watch on YouTube: What does a rough-in bathroom look like?
About the Location
Ponds Way sits in a beautiful little neighborhood just off County Road 2, east of downtown Elko New Market. You get a small-town feel with fast access to the rest of the Twin Cities.
- Minutes from Elko New Market’s charming little downtown
- Close to Elko Speedway
- Surrounded by open country and farmland, with a rural feel
- Quick access to I-35 for getting north to Lakeville and beyond
- Located in Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194)
- Three-car garage and no HOA
Want to See It Before Next Summer?
Someone is going to be swimming in this backyard next summer, and it could be you. If you’d like a private showing of 10243 Ponds Way, or you have questions about owning a pool home anywhere in the South Metro, I’d be glad to help. Call or text me at 952-994-7204, or email tom.sommers@cbrealty.com.
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