Admin

The Sad Death of an Inground Pool

By
Real Estate Agent with Raleigh Cary Realty NC Broker #178638

I'm from Florida.  I get it about pools.  They are born in excitement and anticipation.  The first season or two, even the first five, they get a lot of use.  Friends and family plan gatherings around good pool weather.  Sure, a pool takes maintenance, but the kids are eager to help.  At first.

Time goes by.  The kids get older.  The pool is opened later and shut down later too, because it's such a pain.  Untreated water collects, home to algae -- mosquito larvae -- and frogs.  You can ignore the first two, but the frogs keep you awake at night.

In Florida, the swimming season is like, eight months a year.  In North Carolina it goes from Memorial Day to Labor Day and that's about it.  Three months to swim, nine months of annoyance. 

In Florida, and I'm sure in other ultra-sunny states, an in-ground pool adds to property value.  In North Carolina, it's considered a negative.  Only half of the potential buyers for the home will consider taking on the responsibility and expense of a pool.  I warn my clients -- you won't get your money back, and your house will be harder to sell.  The pool in the photo above belongs to a friend who is getting her house ready to go on the market. She's spending more than $10,000 to have the pool dug up and hauled away, the hole filled, and the lot graded.  Ouch!  It's cheaper to just fill the pool in with dirt -- but that will deter buyers, too.  

All that money, and no joy.  

But don't despair!  You can have a pool without a huge financial commitment!  Above-ground pools are a great option..  They are way cheaper to install, and way cheaper to remove when their time is done.  They hold less water, which saves on chemicals.   Add some fancy decking with a potted palm or two, and voila`!   An attractive place to entertain while the kids splash around.

Really, wasn't that all you wanted?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

                              Dianne Goode signature   

 

 

 

 

Helping nice people get from where they are to where they want to be.

 

 

Comments(5)

Show All Comments Sort:
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Dianne Goode ,

Good post and as you said things are different all over the country. In Austin many want an in-ground pool, backyard kitchen etc. because we entertain a lot all for 6-8 months out of the year. An in-ground pool is always sought after and will bring more money Many communities dead restrictions do not allow above ground pools and only if you live out on large lots with no restrictions can they be installed.

May 10, 2018 05:41 AM
Dianne Goode

It takes a good-sized lot to put in a pool.  A lot of subdivisions have community pools, which seems to work well for many folks.

May 10, 2018 07:50 PM
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Dianne Goode what a sad photo.... we always had an inground pool when the kids were young... they swim like fish.... and the family had great fun with it right through the point of selling that home.... we get the same time of use and NC... well worth the investment.

May 10, 2018 06:17 AM
Dianne Goode

Here pools seem to make a house much more difficult to sell. 

May 10, 2018 07:56 PM
Denise Copeland
Home Sales Palm Beach - Jupiter, FL
Jupiter Abacoa Sales & Beach Front Luxury Homes

My ex got the house with the 50,000 gallon salt water pool. HAHAHAHA. Karma. The salinator unit has self destructed twice to the tune of $2,500 in incident. The maintenance... OMG and the giant stupid lifesize lion statues he HAD TO HAVE surrounding the money pit. It looks like a bad episode of Miami Vice. Everytime I hear him say how expensive it is to maintain, I just hold back the laughter and pray he doesn't give me the listing when it's on the brink of foreclosure!

May 10, 2018 09:59 AM
Dianne Goode

Too funny!   I can just picture the lions --

May 10, 2018 07:57 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Dianne- once again this points out the difference in regional areas. When we bought in Florida, we wanted a pool because we didn't want to have to go through the trouble and expense of putting one in ourselves! And yes, it was used all of the time. What didn't get used was when we would heat the pool for guests. We had a huge pool, but the underground propane was small so heating it took the whole tank. We would heat it, but couldn't get anyone to use it. 

May 11, 2018 09:50 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I hope you are enjoying a very productive summer. Have an outstanding month.

Aug 11, 2020 05:04 AM