Another Request for Advice: In-Ground Pool

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

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

StylishLady · ‎03-11-2010

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.

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

@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.

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

@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

Abrowneyegirl · ‎03-15-2010

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.

Group 5 minus 1 · ‎03-11-2010

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.

I keep on dancin'

ValuSkr · ‎03-15-2014

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,

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

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.

AngelPuppy1 · ‎03-13-2010

@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!!!

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

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