who also has a swimming pool?

[TimmyNY]

Weve had a pool for about 12 years now. It was great when the kids were small. Upkeep wasnt too bad. but you have to keep on it or itll turn into a green frogpond in no time. Our kids are all gone now and the pool will be going this summer. Without the kids it doesn't get used. Now a hot tub :idea: I wonder if you can get one with a beer frige attached? Maybe a TV

Tim

 

[Capt_Cully]

Almost every house we've looked at with a pool has the same story. Just like you said Graves, "used it all the time when the kids were little, now no one uses it". I mean I'm coming in to my prime "kids" years, but again, the liability is scary, especially when you consider todays letigious society. Not to say stumbling out of a hot tub in the snow isn't without it's own risks. But, it's an easier case to win if someone dives into a hot tub and breaks their neck vs diving into your pools shallow end.

I haven't given up my 4 wheeler campaign just yet. I'd like one now, but if I keep at it, I'll be able to get one by the time I NEED it. As for the hot-tub, we'll just have to see where we end up. Gotta sell this pile-o-bricks first, but that's a whole different thread.

 

[dreaminmel]

Mark, On the aspect of the liability risk I wouldn't rule one out just because of that. I've been working in insurance for over 10 years now and have yet to ever have a claim come through on a homeowner for that. It definately happens to someone, somewhere but you're more likely to have to worry about liability with your vehicles than with a pool. Given that, most homeowner's companies are able to go up to $500,000 on liability coverage and then you always have the additional option of getting an umbrella policy ranging from $1 mill to at least $10 mill to overlie your homeowner's liability. I will tell you this though... it's hard to find a company that is down with a diving board.

 

[COOL HAND LUKE]

hey cully,
I love my pool, my kids and I spend every minute we can in it. The up keep isn't bad as long as you use it, but there is nothing better than dragging an 8pt out of the woods with your brand 4wheeler. I believe we did meet back when ABC opened up

 

[cuse1]

I have a 8 and a 5 year old,, i put a inground in 5 years ago love it If you are gonna do it, i highly recommend you get a chlorinator (salt system},Maintenance is a breeze!!! It keeps everything in check i never have to adjust anything it does the chlorine for you,,, If you want,, ur more then welcome to stop over and take a look.

 

[*L*]

We put in a pool with a salt water chlorinator last summer and maintenance was minor. Dumped in salt when the pool was set up, and didn't have to do anything else for the pool all summer except pull out some leaves here and there. It didn't take long to close the pool for winter either.
We also bought a pool heater cheap off craigslist which definitely extends the swimming season. We were swimming for about another month after everyone else had closed their pools because of the heater. We researched before we bought, so we knew that the one we were buying wasn't an electric bill killer.
As for the pool not being used after my son grows up, in my house that won't be a problem. I love swimming, and since we got a pool right in the yard hubby finds he enjoys it as well.

 

[shawna1972]

My largest concern is liability. I'm not a particularly social person at this stage of the game. Not like we "entertain" every weekend. To me, a perfect night is one spent with my wife and new baby. Bottle of beer for me, glass of wine for her, and just chill. I think of the summers to come with children and I am lured towards buying a house with a pool.

As far as increasing value, I'd agree if this was Cali or Fla. But around here, to me, add seasonal use, maintenance, liablility, increased taxes and insurance, and that steers me away......

Thanks for the tips. I mean I didn't think they'd be as high maintenance as a reef tank, I just wanted to see what the reality was. What are the daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, maintenances and costs?

FWIW Gary, wife wants a hot-tub. I want a 4 wheeler for hunting. Wonder which one we'll get first............:furious:

Hot tubs are nice however I would not trade our 4 wheeler for anything!
Im with you on the 4 wheeler! Love mine! Although I agree one of these days
Im going to get hurt but so far so good! lol :dance:

 

[shawna1972]

Oh and as far as the pool,We have a 24 foot round and really not aa lot of $$$ at all maintaining it, and if your worried about the kids do like we did and get a pool alarms
We have them for the 1/4 acre pond and our pool because we have a 6 year old who is a dare devil,He fishes really close to the edge and tries to catch frogs all summer lol
He's going to be the dealth of me!

 

[DocJim]

I have a large in ground pool and would recommend two things to reduce your work. First, get a chlorine generator. This requires you to put salt in the pool for the generator but at a low level. Second, get a retractable cover so you can open/close it with the turn of a key. This keeps the sun out and helps to reduce algae and keeps debris out of the water. It's also peace of mind for safety.

 

[shawna1972]

I have a large in ground pool and would recommend two things to reduce your work. First, get a chlorine generator. This requires you to put salt in the pool for the generator but at a low level. Second, get a retractable cover so you can open/close it with the turn of a key. This keeps the sun out and helps to reduce algae and keeps debris out of the water. It's also peace of mind for safety.

Do you have info on this generator? Link maybe?

 

[reefman5511]

When it comes to resale of the house - you seriously limit the market when you go
in-ground - many people will walk away from them. Above ground isn't so much of a problem since you can just tear them down & plant grass.

 

[TimmyNY]

I believe that you have to buy a pool alarm if you put up a pool now dont know if its state or county law but my sister in law had to put one in.

Tim

 

[becon776]

I have a boat and a pool. pool was cool until I got the boat. I am pretty much on the boat every second that allows for it from the time the temp passes 70. I pretty much live on it. Unlike many, the boat was the best money I ever spent. And although I have been a youngish bachelor when you take the kids out for a family day they are STUCK with you hahaha... Then again I am a teacher so my summer schedule is open.

 

[pascal32]

We have a pool. My honest 2cents:

value - depends on the buyer, your market is smaller, though some folks WANT a pool and will pay for it.

maintenance - it's not that hard, or that expensive if you do it twice a week. (nothing like a reef tank) You miss two weeks and its a PITA and expensive. Just have a calendar, mark the days and spend the 3 minutes it takes.

fun factor - Our daughter LOVES it. me, personally, could care less, I've never been much of a swimmer

liability - My parents have always had a pool, so have a lot of their friends - only issue they had was a dog jumping in (then again they don't have a fence and are not required to have one)

insurance - you should have an umbrella policy regardless of a pol or not, it's cheap and unfortunately a requirement in today's society of greedy, lazy people.

fencing - I had the old fence removed and a new one put in that stops at the deck so the deck is open to the pool. If you do this you need a "beeper" on the sliding glass door.

safety - pool alarms are cheap. Our little girl at 4 last year knows she can't go past the deck.

opening/closing - very easy - 1-2 hours to open, 3-4 to close. no issues with piping.

 

[Piazzon12]

Don't know about a pool... but when we bought our house, we were excited about the hot tub... but now we barely ever use it. Maintenance/cost hasn't been worth it for us... Electric, cleaning, filters... etc.
We always think about going in... but once we hit the couch at the end of the day... we just don't make it. plus you have to shower afterward to get the stink off.. etc... yeah I'm just lazy