Didn't Want A Pool, But Dream Home Had One?? What to do!?

[kimthebride]

If you DID NOT want a pool, but found the perfect house with it...did you buy it? What did you do with the pool?

We're not big pool people and am so not ready up for the safety concerns one needs to address when owning a pool with kids around. I'm finding some of the newer houses in the Colonial style that I love have pools....so frustrating!

[WestieMomma]

I think once you have the pool you will love it. They are great for parties and entertaining. The upkeep can get expensive though. I know there is always something breaking or a part needs replacing, etc on my parents pool. I would have a service take care of your pool if it is in your budget. You can get a kiddie fence put around the pool for when you have kids.

[amew]

I think if you know you aren't going to enjoy having a pool, you should either not buy the house or plan to have it filled in and figure that into your budget. My parents are not big pool people and said they would never buy a house with one, but then they found an (otherwise) perfect house with a pool so they bought it anyway. They tried to deal with the pool for five years, but they worried about their dog and their grandson when he was visiting, and they resented the expense and hassle of upkeep, especially since they rarely used the pool. Last year they spent a ton of money to fill in the pool and put an outdoor bar, dining room, and firepit in its place. Now they love their backyard and entertain their frequently, but filling in the pool was definitely a significant expense.

[kimthebride]

amew - that's an interesting option. I know we will never, ever change our minds about the pool...but most of the homes in the great towns we want have them. It's nice to see someone else filled it in and had no regrets.

[amorey]

I have a chlorine allergy, so I definitely wouldn’t use a pool. Pools are rare in my area, but I have seen them, and they’re definitely a turn off. If I didn’t have a choice, I would budget filling in the pool. Do pools make houses more or less expensive?

[IrishMeg]

In our area, pools make homes considerably more expensive. Is this house more expensive than it would be if it didn't have a pool? I would weigh the costs of buying a house with a pool and consider what it would cost to fill it in eventually if you do buy the house.

I'm in FL, so pools are coveted for obvious reasons, but I wouldn't pay extra for a house because it had a pool and then pay to fill it in later down the road.

[greenbunny]

Here in PA pools make a home less attractive, usually. People install them knowing they will not get a cent back on resale. I think if you can get an idea from your realtor whether you're in a pro- or anti-pool market, you could figure out what to do from there. You might not have much luck in a pro-pool area (like IrishMeg's) but in an anti-pool area like mine you might be able to request an allowance for removal.

[kimthebride]

We're looking at houses in NJ, and the market is so ridiculous a little extra because of a pool is barely noticeable. :rolleyes:
We are looking for a nice big family home, and it seems like the houses with the number of bedrooms/baths we want in the great towns we love also (unfortunately) have pools. Thus...by telling our realtor "don't even show us houses with pools" we would exponentially cut out the best houses for us.

Hmm.

Anyone out there fill a pool or know how much it cost??

[sparkle&shine]

You know I wouldn't actually fill the pool but I would 'park' it. I would have a deck built over top of it so that if in the future you want the pool or sell the house there is still the pool there to use again if anyone would want to.

http://www.parkyourpool.com/img0.jpg

Just something to think about!

Here are some more pics:
http://www.parkyourpool.com/binlay1.jpg
http://www.deckover.com/images/web00.jpg

[kimthebride]

So cool -thanks!!!

[katmg]

I grew up with a pool and as much fun as it was to have pool parties, I would *never* want to buy a house with one. They are such a hassle to keep up with the maintenance. However, I know that if I found my dream home and it had a pool, I'd probably try to cover it or fence it. The house would be more important than the pool.

[Spellbound]

When we found our dream home we bought it - and then added a pool to it.

If I were in your shoes however and were certain I did not want a pool, my dream home would be one WITHOUT one. I'd continue looking until what we wanted popped up. To me a dream home isn't just the the house itself, but is the outside as well.

[IrishMeg]

Well, since in your area it doesn't change the price much, then I would buy the house. If I didn't fill the pool (that would depend on cost) I'd drain it and build a deck over it. I'd have a hard time passing up on my dream house in your situation! Especially if the price is right.

[Asha]

i like the deck option that a pp suggested. i think it looks pretty classy looking.

[miaclear]

I'd buy it and deck it. I have never seen that before but those pics actually look really nice.

We were in the same situation. Didn't really want a pool, but after looking at over 100 houses and finding a dream home with the pool we decided to get it. DH grew up with one so he knew how to take care of it. He's in charge of chemicals and the equipment, I sweep and generally keep the weeds out. We don't have kids and plan on moving in the next five years. When the time comes we'll fence in the area.

Having lived here now for over two years we've used the pool, and enjoy it for parties. We don't often use it just by ourselves though. There is a hot-tub too and we use that quite a bit. All in all I'm ok with it.

Good luck with your decision.

[ellybelle]

As a fellow mom, I totally understand your feelings about the pool. My brother broke his neck diving into a smallish pool, and ever since I've seen private pools as a danger.

We're in the process of buying our dream home, and ironically, it has a koi pond. It's beautiful and all, but we're thinking at this point that we might have to sell the fish and fill it in. It's just too enticing to my 2 year old.

I like the idea of covering the pool with a deck.

[ginadc]

We never had any interest in a pool, but yep, our dream house had one. After one summer, I can say that we've really enjoyed it. It's definitely some work, although the biggest problem has been the mulberry tree on our neighbors' lot that drops tons of berries into the water in June! The filter can't keep up with them; so next spring we're going to ask if they mind if we cut back the branches that are overhanging our property. (I know that we legally can whether they mind or not, if they're on our property, but we wanted to be nice neighbors...)

Anyway, other than that annoyance, we've really loved the pool. It makes for a nice focus for parties, and the hot tub is fun as well. Our friends' kids love it!