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Clearwater Pool Homes for Sale | Buying a Backyard Paradise or Money Pit?

Clearwater Real Estate | Pool Homes -Backyard Paradise of Unpleasant Surprises?

We live in a wonderful part of Florida and there's nothing better than a cool dip in a backyard pool on a hot summer day. Can't you just picture floating in the pool, relaxing, rejuvenating. This is how it should be...

Now let me tell you what can happen if you don't do your homework when you're buying that Lovely Tampa Bay Pool Home.

Jack and I spend the majority of our time working with Tampa bay Homebuyers and are big advocates and believers in Home Inspections. I am a member of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) which allows me to be a resource to my clients through my relationships with some of the areas most accomplished remodeling professionals. In a state known sometimes for fly-by-night tradesman - referrals to the best remodeling contractors and professionals in the area has proven invaluable.

In this case, Mark Thomas and his team of professionals at Skinee-Dip Pools & Spas, the largest Tampa Bay area Pool Remodelers and Pool Contractors in the 5 county Tampa Bay area inspected this pool and boy are our Home Buyers lucky they did! They know Tampa Bay pools since they've built over 3,000 since 1971 and do over 1000 pool remodels each year. These are the kind of expert resources we bring to our clients...

skinee dip pools info

Now this is what the pool looked like - Looks inviting doesn't it. Our homebuyers were already imagining their pool parties and having the grandkids over - if they had stopped here they would have purchased a $15,000+ problem!

lovely pool home for sale in clearwater largo florida area

Hold on not so fast - take off those rose colored glasses ....remember all Inspections are for the Home buyer - If you are a Home or Condo buyer - Please take advantage of them or be ready for unpleasant "surprises" later and possible very costly surprises too.

Here's what we found when we took a closer look at this pool....

How happy would you be to learn about all this AFTER you bought your home?

If you have a Realtor dedicated to Tampa Bay Home Buyers, like us, they'll negotiate on your behalf like it they would for their own family.

pool inspection shows problems in pinellas county

How happy would you be to learn about all this AFTER you bought your home?

If you have a Realtor dedicated to Tampa Bay Home Buyers, like us, they'll negotiate on your behalf like it they would for their own family.

Are you looking to buy a Tampa Bay Home or Condo? Are you working with a Realtor who will really be YOUR advocate as the Home or Condo Buyer and always put YOUR best interests above selling any one home or condo? If not maybe you should reconsider your choice - we believe Buyers like you deserve more! - in this case it would have been @ $15,000 mistake - OUCH!!. Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

********************** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ********************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Realtor, especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge.

Our past clients kindly agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Realtors ~ Proudly helping Buyers of Pool Homes and Condos in the Tampa Bay Area.

* All information copyrighted 2007 Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Sand Bars to Sunsets of Tampa Bay - We cover it all!

Posted by Clearwater Real Estate Pinellas Florida Condos & Homes for Sale- Cyndee Haydon on 07/07/2007 06:47 AM

Comments (51)

clearwater real estate, pool homes, homes for sale, luxury homes, clearwater pool homes

Originally posted at: Clearwater Florida Homes Condos Real Estate: Clearwater Pool Homes for Sale | Buying a Backyard Paradise or Money Pit?

This post has been included in Florida Information Pinellas County, FL Information Clearwater, FL Information

51 Comments on Clearwater Pool Homes for Sale | Buying a Backyard Paradise or Money Pit?

JUL

2007

Excellent story, I always have pools inspected in Michigan, but it is hard in the winter months. If it can't be inspected I have a pool disclosure that I make both parties sign that it was in working condition when last used. But no guarantees. Your page loaded fine this time.

EXCELLENT POST CYNDEE...considering 1 out of 8 homes in FL include a pool!!! This is an expense when everything is in working condition---this inspection was quite an eye opener!! GREAT WORK DETECTIVE HAYDON!!!

Missy Thank you for stopping by on ALL counts :-) - I've heard people in colder climates talk about the fact that having a home with a pool is not always a plus since it takes extra effort with winter and all.

I like your suggestion on the "working order" - however, the scary thing here was all the structural issues - I usually suggest adding the pool for the home warranty for @ $160/year for the peace of mind regarding pool pumps, etc.

Susie - thanks. We just wrote another contract last night for a Buyer purchasing a pool home :-) and while the pool inspection can seem like one more expense when doing your inspections it is one I definitely believe in - few of us are prepared for a $15,000 problem right after closing on a new home.

How true.

Armando - thanks for stopping by - sounds like you've had some real world experience with this :-)

Hi Cyndee, Well that inspection certanly saved them some big bucks. Looks like that pool was an add on after the house was built. That's usaully a red flag for me.

Broker Bryant - good point - however in Pinellas County many of our homes as you know are 30 to 50 years old so we have tons of add on pools - hence the need for a good inspection. We'll be arranging for another pool inspection on an offer we wrote last night - for the seller's sake I hope it turns out better than this.

Cyndee - Great Advice on the Pool inspection! Pools can often cost more to remodel and fix than to build new. Sometimes buyers get caught up in the moment and we get to balance all that excitement by recommending an inspection

great information...

many people think a basic house inspection is enough... some people don't want to pay for that much anyway. this just shows that there are costs that go into making sure that you are buying a property that is sound.

Cyndee, excellent advice for your Clearwater FL home buyers on pool inspections. Most realtors in the Pasadena, CA area only do general inspections. I have started recommending sewer inspections and based on your post will find a great pool inspector as well. Great work! You saved your client THOUSANDS of dollars!!!

Cindy--What great information! A home with a pool in Minnesota will only sell in June, July or August...Months where you can see the pool is open and operating. If it is an unopened pool, unless there are service documents for the proper closure of the pool for the fall and escrowed funds for opening and possible repairs in the spring, most buyers pass on the home. Obviously, there is good reason when you see this kind of problem. I have a great pool resource in MN and I will have every buyer client considering a pool have it inspected from now on!! Thanks!!

Cyndee,

This is a great example of what a good buyer's agent does for their clients. You could have done the deal without the inspection and made a quick buck but you were looking out for your client. I bet you now have a client for life!

Cyndee - love your pool experts company name - too cute - this is a perfect example of why buyers and sellers alike need to pick a Realtor(R) that is an expert in the area with great reputation and connections - you and Jack are my Clearwater choice :o)

Cyndee - great topic to explore. Although we don't have as many pool homes here in Texas as you do in sunny Florida, we have quite a few. Real estate agents need that essential knowledge and the experience to know when to call in a expert. You have served your buyers well!!!

Paula - you are so right about being excited when you get your home under contract - those "rose colored glasses" are why you need a real estate agent that's thinking clearly and really looking out for your best interests - even though they're disappointed to learn about the problems at this point it's still negotiable and sticking your head in the sand doesn't make it any less real.

David - you are exactly right - I know people sometimes think the lender's being picky with WDO / termite inspections and appraisals - but really it's ALL for the home buyers best interest - they're just making sure you're getting a property that's REALLY worth what you're paying for it. In the heat of the moment it's not always appreciated but since we're working for the home buyers best interests we DO appreciate you!!

Irina - it's a great feeling to be able to quantify the saving for them - so much of what we do is help homebuyers and sellers AVOID costly mistakes - especially in a state where you can litigate real estate for 5 years.

Teri - that's what I've heard about cold weather places - that a pool home can actually be "harder" to sell - great points.

Rita - that is truly how we work - it is very gratifying to know you really make a difference for home buyers by truly being their advocate - we have no problem walking away from a home even in contract if it turns out it's not what the buyer wants - we know helping them buy the RIGHT home is far more important than just "putting them into a home" - I think that's why people are willing to give us video testimonials - they tell us we aren't like other Tampa Bay real estate agents they've worked with - and they really appreciate it. Thanks for taking time to comment!

Thesa - thank you for your vote of confidence - we take it very seriously - a referral is a risk for the giver if the referred doesn't deliver - we will treat your referrals like we would want to be treated ourselves - always!

Tina - thanks for visiting and taking time to comment - I really appreciate it. Finding a reputable Tampa Bay Pool company like Skinee Dip Pools is critical - you need someone who is also going to let you know what you "must do" and "what would be nice to do" - they have so much experience and skilled professionals that they can perform an outstanding inspection - as we real estate professionals know - all inspectors are not created equal either!!! We believe OUR clients deserve the BEST!

Very Important post and story. If that isn't a good example I don't know what is. So important to have an inspection as well as having a good inspector.

Cyndee we are on the same page literally on this one. Karl and I are in the process of putting a page together for houses with swimming pools and addressing the importance of pool inspections. We don't have as many here in ABQ as you do but it so important.

Hi Cyndee, this was a very informative post on the importance of pool inspections. Your buyers are lucky to have you two on their side!

Cynthia - thanks for taking time to comment - yes - it was a very visual reminder :-)

Ashley - let me know - sounds like a great topic to share info on via blogs.

Peggy - thank you for your compliments - it means a lot.

NICE!!! - I love to hear stories like this Cyndee because the expertise shines through! My customers love my eagle eye and I can detect and warn them about any possible problem while we are just looking at properties. I also liked to hear about your network of construction professionals, nothing like having a good team.

Thanks Ines - I agree that having a great group of resources makes all the difference - also being a strong advocate for the home buyer means you look a properties differently - as you said, with "eagle eyes" -

Great point about pool inspection. Everything as you know is not cheap with a pool. I purchase my current home last May 2006. Since that point i have appx 3500.00 in expense for the pool. Every purchase should include an inspection and include all exterior components.

Frank - thanks for sharing your experience - I hope it helps a future buyer understand the value of a good inspection. I'm an optomist but when helping a buyer I have to look at things from "murphy's prospective" - if I can go wrong it will - because it you don't do your homework it has a way of coming back to haunting you. Hope to see you stop by again soon - thanks

EXCELLENT post; it shows how important the right inspection can be. People often attempt to save pennies in the wrong place!

Bill and Barbara - all I can say is Amen!! I hate to see people rush to get in skimp on inspections and find they truly have a money pit. With all the homes on the market there's no reason for a buyer to rush or not move on or negotiate repairs - it's important to buy right!!!! Thanks for weighing in on the topic.

JUL

2007

Cyndee, in a new home or a resale...I could think of many things to do with $15,000 besides start repairs I wasn't prepared for!! UGGHHH!! Great work!!

Susie - I've found most buyers stretch into "the most house they can afford" and so a big expense like pool repairs could cause a real hardship on the home buyer. A few years ago when houses were going up in value monthly you might have been able to almost instantly pull out equity to fix problems - but we're not seeing that in todays market - house prices could even drop month to month and appraisers are being more conservative when appraising - since they answer to the bank - since, as you know, we've seen a drastic rise in foreclosures in Clearwater and the Tampa Bay area.

Cyndee, Good post! Friends of mine bought a house with a pool a few years ago and found out about the leak the next season! Always a good idea to get an inspection from an expert on the pools!

Kim - thank you for stopping by and sharing your pool story - I wonder what that set him back? OUCH!!!

You'll also be at the TOP OF THE LIST when they have their first pool party!!! Don't forget to bring your floaties and snorkel like Mr. Duckie!!

Terrific post. And I like the video testimonials at the end. And I didn't have to comment. I'm way over my 10 today!! :)

Hi Cyndee, How lucky (or smart) your clients were to have a great Clearwater Realtor like you representing them! Here in Colorado as close as we get to a pool is a hot tub, but they come with their own sets of problems too. I don't imagine you get a lot of hot tubs in homes in Tampa Bay or Clearwater! (or do you?)

JUL

2007

Okay, first hand knowledge of this story....I know the whole story...You are AWESOME! Not many local Clearwater REALTORS would take the time to find out all the information on the pool and get an expert to give their opinion. Your buyers are lucky to work with you. Thank you for being such a professional. I am so happy to work with you!!

Cindee, this was an awesome post and a good example why buyers need an expert realtor! Obviously those buyers must be ecstatic that you were their agent in Clearwater!!!

JUL

2007

Cyndee-Great post....Great Realtors....Lucky Customers....It's funny...people don't realize how not inspecting could cost them big $$$$ now the road. Well I know who to go to or refer people to in Clearwater, the only thing is I would request the Real Jack to work the deal with you and keep Flat Jack Home! Great info

Chris L. Thank you for commenting even when you didn't have to - I really appreciate it.

Leah - thanks for the kudos;

Chris - they were estatic - I believe we'll have a customer for life!

Midori - It's great to see you here and you are so sweet - yep - Flat Jack has retired until the next "party"

JUL

2007

We don't have a lot of pools in our area but I would never have clients buy one without an inspection by a pool company... I have spas and hot tubs inspected also..

Kaye - I agree - the time to know what you've got it BEFORE you own it :-) - I wouldn't expect anything less than that from a pro like you - how are things going in Manhattan Beach CA? Thanks for stopping by!

Excellent post Cyndee. Congratulations on having your Post chosen for inclusion in Midori's Blogger's Choice Spotlight!

Lola - thank you for the kind words and visit - I hope is that it will keep some home buyers from underestimating the importance of an optional home inspection - especially where pools are concerned.

Great post Cyndee...lots of good advice!

JAN

Great post Cyndee! We are looking at a pool home in Florida for ourselves. I didn't realize that we would need a separate pool inspection. We just don't have a lot of pool homes here in the metro Atlanta area where I work. Thank you for the information.