topic Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool in Home

Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

docsgirl — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 10:17:32 GMT

I cuurently reside in a condo but am looking for a house. I found a cute ranch but it comes with a lovely in-ground pool. I've never had a pool and have no idea how to maintain it. I understand there is a lot involved in taking care of a pool and it can be quite expensive. If you own an in-ground pool, would you be kind enough to advise me as to what I would need to do and how expensive the maintainence is? I was hoping the pool came with a cabana boy but I don't think that's included in the price! Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. docsgirl

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

StylishLady — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 11:37:40 GMT

Are you living where you could use the pool year round? Down here in southwest Florida it is possible. We have a solar heater that is good for most of the year and along with a back up heat pump for colder weather and a pool blanket, we can swim all year. Our pool is also screened/caged to keep out most unwanted things. It is just right for our use at 24x12 feet and from about 3.5 feet deep to 5.5 feet. I like to do 50-60 laps. DH took care of the pool for years, but now we have a pool service that comes once a week to do that. It costs us $75 a month. We love our pool and our visitors also.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

granddi — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:29:06 GMT

@docsgirl wrote:
I cuurently reside in a condo but am looking for a house. I found a cute ranch but it comes with a lovely in-ground pool. I've never had a pool and have no idea how to maintain it. I understand there is a lot involved in taking care of a pool and it can be quite expensive. If you own an in-ground pool, would you be kind enough to advise me as to what I would need to do and how expensive the maintainence is? I was hoping the pool came with a cabana boy but I don't think that's included in the price! Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. docsgirl

We are moving to an area where most homes have pools. Just call a pool service company and they will be helpful in giving costs of monthly care and other costs. Don't forget extra cost of utilities if heated. I found a good article on Fox News under homes.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

granddi — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:30:25 GMT

@granddi wrote:
@docsgirl wrote:
I cuurently reside in a condo but am looking for a house. I found a cute ranch but it comes with a lovely in-ground pool. I've never had a pool and have no idea how to maintain it. I understand there is a lot involved in taking care of a pool and it can be quite expensive. If you own an in-ground pool, would you be kind enough to advise me as to what I would need to do and how expensive the maintainence is? I was hoping the pool came with a cabana boy but I don't think that's included in the price! Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. docsgirl
We are moving to an area where most homes have pools. Just call a pool service company and they will be helpful in giving costs of monthly care and other costs. Don't forget extra cost of utilities if heated. I found a good article on Fox News under homes.

OOPS.....Also Home Insurance Liability.Check with yours

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Abrowneyegirl — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:34:11 GMT

OP- It would be helpful if you noted your region. Year-round pool maintain $$ varies from pools that have to 'opened' and 'closed' per season.

I understand your concern, between insurance $$ and maintenance it is an undertaking. For us it is a NO! But when we looked into it was definitely cheaper to hire someone to do it. If I remember it was about $800-900 a year for summer season 5 months here in the NorthEast. I do not remember what the insurance premium was.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:38:51 GMT

I have lived in a house w/an in ground pool. When I was looking for another home-in a different state-I would not even look at homes w/in ground pools.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

ValuSkr — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:49:12 GMT

While a pool is nice, I wouldn't want the cost and maintenance. In my area, swim clubs are popular, especially for families with children. There really aren't many homes with pools,

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Sooner — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:55:40 GMT

I understand your concern, between insurance $$ and maintenance it is an undertaking. For us it is a NO! But when we looked into it was definitely cheaper to hire someone to do it. If I remember it was about $800-900 a year for summer season 5 months here in the NorthEast. I do not remember what the insurance premium was.

Sounds about right for here where you open your pool from May to maybe mid September or so.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

AngelPuppy1 — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 13:00:16 GMT

@StylishLady wrote:
Are you living where you could use the pool year round? Down here in southwest Florida it is possible. We have a solar heater that is good for most of the year and along with a back up heat pump for colder weather and a pool blanket, we can swim all year. Our pool is also screened/caged to keep out most unwanted things. It is just right for our use at 24x12 feet and from about 3.5 feet deep to 5.5 feet. I like to do 50-60 laps. DH took care of the pool for years, but now we have a pool service that comes once a week to do that. It costs us $75 a month. We love our pool and our visitors also.

@StylishLady

That is gorgeous! May I come for a dip??? LOL. I had a friend that used to live in the Clearwater area and she had a beautiful pool -- screened in similar to yours --- and we all just got so much enjoyment from it.

I would say to the OP -- go for it! It sounds wonderful!!!

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

docsgirl — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 13:33:45 GMT

Thank you all so much for the information and advice. I really like the house; the pool just happens to come with it. I live in Northeast Ohio and our winters are long and brutal while summer isn't that long. I was not, nor would I ever be in search of a house with a pool but I like this house.

That pool in Florida is absolutely stunning but the one in this house is a lot smaller and nowhere near as elegant. I was born and raised in New York City but when I got married my dear late husband built our house on the Great South Bay of Long Island. We overlooked Fire Island. Some of our neighbors, who had oodles of $$$$, had built in pools for when they didn't feel like going into the bay to swim or just wanted privacy. Although my husband was a school superintendent and made decent money, we surely couldn't match wallets with some of those people. We were content with our lifestyle and were very active in our community. So sorry for rambling off topic.

You all have given excellent advice and I will call some pool maintenance companies and see what they have to say. Thanks so very much. docsgirl

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Meowingkitty — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 13:48:00 GMT

We live in Arizona where pools are the norm. We had a pool in our back yard until 5 years ago when we filled it in. It was nothing but a pain to keep up. It always needed a fortune in chemicals, water and maintenance. Yes you can hire that out but that's another expense. And don't get me started on the electric bills. We had it filled in because it needed about $8000.00 in maintenance and we decided it was cheaper to fill it in. Despite living where it's hot we never used it. By filling it in our electric bills dropped $200 a month plus all the chemicals and water it saved. I would seriously consider buying a house with a pool. They are nice for a few years then the constant maintenance kicks in and it's always something. First you need to fix the plaster, then the tile needs grouting and to be de scaled, the cool-deck needs refinishing, then you need to replace the pool pump, then the filter, all of which are expensive. Here there is no such thing as opening and closing a pool it's 24/7 and our homeowners policy did not change once we got rid of it.

Based on prices 5 years ago and my memory:

large bucket of chlorine $150

new pool pump $1000 plus or minus

new cool deck $2500 and up

new plaster $5000 and up

replacing sand filter minimum $1000

clarifier and all the other chemicals $100 /month

electric to run cleaning system $200/month

replace cleaning system: few hundred to thousands

your time: priceless

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Buck-i-Nana — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 14:09:34 GMT

On another thread, someone posted a wonderful website with terrific info on pools and pool maintenance. It's troublefreepool dot com. They provide thorough info on how to maintain a pool as well as info on cost effective products. It's worth a look.

If you like to swim or relax on a float, having your own pool is heaven. If you're not much for water fun, then it's going to be a burden and money wasted.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

GCR18 — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 14:13:57 GMT

Have your realtor request the utility bills for the last year. I remember getting that request when I owned an all electronic condo.

Also,see if the pool company can come out and inspect the pool.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Kachina624 — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 15:05:57 GMT

I DIDN'T buy a wonderful house once because it had a pool. I didn't want the hassle of maintaining it. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't affect you insurance cost also.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

ruthbe — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 15:48:04 GMT

I also live in Arizona. When we had a pool, we definately had a pool service. We never wanted the chemicals around the house. Plus it was much easier ....the chemicals were expensive, hard to keep the right ph balance, didn't want the chemicals around because they were poison, etc. The prices are different every part of the country. Here we paid $42 per month.

I wound not turn down a house just because of a pool. We really enjoyed our pool. We have summer 9 months of the year.

But you, like the others have stated, have to weigh the pros and cons.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

docsgirl — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 16:59:10 GMT

Thank you again for more food for thought. I will definitely ask for all bills for the house...summer and winter. The thing is that I like the house. The pool just happens to come with it. Soooooooooooo do I turn down a house I really like and would be a perfect fit for me just because it has a pool??? I'll have to do more investigating as to the cost to run and maintain it and then make a decision. Thanks again. docsgirl

Buck-I-Nana,

I'm a Buckeye but am a transplant from New York. Living here sure is different but I'm getting used to it and am here to stay.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

ValuSkr — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 17:06:24 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I DIDN'T buy a wonderful house once because it had a pool. I didn't want the hassle of maintaining it. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't affect you insurance cost also.

Same here. When I was in the market, any house with a pool was automatically disqualified. I didn't want the expense and hassle. I think it's like that for a lot of people - depending on the area, no doubt.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 19:11:43 GMT

@docsgirl wrote:
Thank you all so much for the information and advice. I really like the house; the pool just happens to come with it. I live in Northeast Ohio and our winters are long and brutal while summer isn't that long. I was not, nor would I ever be in search of a house with a pool but I like this house.
That pool in Florida is absolutely stunning but the one in this house is a lot smaller and nowhere near as elegant. I was born and raised in New York City but when I got married my dear late husband built our house on the Great South Bay of Long Island. We overlooked Fire Island. Some of our neighbors, who had oodles of $$$$, had built in pools for when they didn't feel like going into the bay to swim or just wanted privacy. Although my husband was a school superintendent and made decent money, we surely couldn't match wallets with some of those people. We were content with our lifestyle and were very active in our community. So sorry for rambling off topic.

You all have given excellent advice and I will call some pool maintenance companies and see what they have to say. Thanks so very much. docsgirl

@docsgirl....I live in the midwest, Ohio. We had a large pool (above ground) and there were several cool summers when we barely used the pool. DH took care of our pool cleaning, etc. It does get expensive..we evenutally sold it and returned the area to grass. I would only keep the pool if you thought you would use it a lot.

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

violann — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:12:38 GMT

For several reasons, we are considerig a SMALL backyard pool for use by a few children and a few adults.

If you have a pool, what size is it?

Do you consider it a big pool or a small pool?

What size do you cnsider right for you?

Thanks so much for your time!

Re: Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

Buck-i-Nana — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 23:27:18 GMT

@docsgirl wrote:
Thank you again for more food for thought. I will definitely ask for all bills for the house...summer and winter. The thing is that I like the house. The pool just happens to come with it. Soooooooooooo do I turn down a house I really like and would be a perfect fit for me just because it has a pool??? I'll have to do more investigating as to the cost to run and maintain it and then make a decision. Thanks again. docsgirl

Buck-I-Nana,
I'm a Buckeye but am a transplant from New York. Living here sure is different but I'm getting used to it and am here to stay.

@docsgirl - funny....I'm a transplanted New Yorker too. Born and raised on Long Island. Moved to Ohio in 75.