Practicality of a swimming pool? (Bangor, Falmouth: house, buyers, luxury)

[elston]

My DP wanted me to ask the folks on the forum a question that has to do with shopping for a house and the "amenities". We have already benefited from your wisdom and decided that for us a garage is a necessity" and the lack of a garage was a deal breaker. (We both qualify as senior citizens as strange as it feels to say that!)

The latest question has to do with something that is less of a necessity but none-the-less a possibility. In looking at properties in the towns up around Bangor, we see some with heated outdoor swimming pools. Now my kids have suggested that it would be great to come and visit a Grampa who had a pool--I can't help but wonder about the length of the season when a pool would be used. Is it at all practical to have a pool up there? I thnk DP and I would enjoy it in August but would get more use out of a hot tub in a 3 season sun room.

I know this is a luxury item and we are blessed to even have to consider the option. What do you thnk?

[Parrotpaul]

Originally Posted by elston

My DP wanted me to ask the folks on the forum a question that has to do with shopping for a house and the "amenities". We have already benefited from your wisdom and decided that for us a garage is a necessity" and the lack of a garage was a deal breaker. (We both qualify as senior citizens as strange as it feels to say that!)

The latest question has to do with something that is less of a necessity but none-the-less a possibility. In looking at properties in the towns up around Bangor, we see some with heated outdoor swimming pools. Now my kids have suggested that it would be great to come and visit a Grampa who had a pool--I can't help but wonder about the length of the season when a pool would be used. Is it at all practical to have a pool up there? I thnk DP and I would enjoy it in August but would get more use out of a hot tub in a 3 season sun room.

I know this is a luxury item and we are blessed to even have to consider the option. What do you thnk?

I have a friend in Falmouth who has a pool. The electricity needed to keep it at a "swimmable" temp is prohibitive. In addition he has had problems as a result of freezing. I suspect the taxes on a property with a pool are significantly more.

[dmyankee]

When you add up the costs of electricity, upkeep and taxes...

It becomes merely a personal decision.

[AlisonL]

Go with an above ground pool. Lots less upkeep and all that. A hot tub is nice at any time of year.

[msina]

Build an indoor pool? like forest is doing? (I'd rather the hot myself )

[Northern Maine Land Man]

If you have no close neighbors the best way to heat a pool is with a wood fired boiler.

[WhoFanMe]

I've yet to show an house with an above ground pool where my buyers didn't ask me, "will they remove that if we buy the house?"

[Coaster]

I've had friends with both aboveground and inground pools, outside and enclosed, and none of them really cared for the expense, upkeep, and hassles involved. Well, there was one guy who considered it an essential element of his upscale lifestyle, but he had the money to hire all the work required.

Go with the hot tub in the sunroom. You'll get more enjoyment out of it. Personally, I'm just as happy with a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom, but then I'm a man of simple tastes.

[deerislesmile]

If I lived in the Bangor area, instead of on the coast, I would use a pool for the months of June, July, August, and probably half of September- Bangor is always a LOT warmer than where I am. Keep in mind, though, that I used to be the first to swim in the ocean..usually on Memorial Day, so I tend to not mind the water to be a little bit cool. However, if you were only doing it for grandchildren that would be there occasionally... I would buy one of the Quick Set (I think that's what they are called...) pools (they do make very large versions- 24') for the kids.. if that's not enough excitement, there is always the Pancoe and Dakin pools in Bangor, as well as various lakes and (with a drive) beaches.

Get yourself the hot tub.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by WhoFanMe

I've yet to show an house with an above ground pool where my buyers didn't ask me, "will they remove that if we buy the house?"

I made an offer on a house with a pool. One of my stipulations was that the pool be properly maintained until the closing.

Unfortunately, it appears that no further maint. was done since I made the offer (in July). The owners vacated the property at some time after we made the offer. When I learned that the property was vacant I went to check it out, they apparently took the pump motor with them, as well as the sump pump from the basement.

The seller's agent had represented to us that the pool had been properly taken care of, which was not true. The deal has still not closed. He has also said that the house was winterized, I have to wonder if it really was.

While I had not been specifically looking for a pool, the fact that one was there figured into my offer. I'm not particularly happy at this point.