Filling in the pool (getting rid of it) - would you do it? (construction, inspection)
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...A non-permanent option be available. Rigid covers are available that can be "locked down" either with the pool emptied or filled with stagnant water dosed with high concentrations of fungicide....
I've also seen owners build a deck over the pool that can be removed if a new owner wants to use the pool.
As a quick FYI...filling in a pool or covering a pool is not the same as keeping water in it. both concepts have a serious drawback: if you live in a seasonally wet area, an empty pool or partially "weighted" pool (i.e. one with little water or backfilled with soil) can actually be pushed up out of the ground as the surrounding soil gets saturated by rainfall (or maybe you spring a leak in the irrigation system underground) ...then you will have a bigger problem on your hands.
buy a house without a pool or better yet there are great "older" communities that offer "condo" like living with package type deals to cover all utilities, food, etc but allow the person 100% freedom (some even come with 24/7 assistance if ever needed)...just food for thought
From my perspective of having bought two houses with above ground swimming pools, a pool reduces significantly the number of people who will ever be interested in buying the property. In other words, if you have a purple house, you have to find someone who wants a purple house and that is not, by any means, the majority of the home shoppers market.
One of my houses is a farm house in west Texas with a 150,000 gallon round steel swimming pool that probably is not applicable to your situation in Dallas. The very rural setting here makes this pool a none issue for its use, removal or modification. This pool I plan to make into a storage building.
The other house is in Albuquerque may be more applicable to a Dallas situation. I bought the house with a really nice large 15'x33' above ground pool and immediately gave to my son-in-law if he would remove it. Being young he thought, "what a deal!" He found that it was a job and a half because the ribs that underlay the pool were all underground. The redwood deck had to be disassembled to get it through the back gate in pieces. And too, I was left with a big oval hole in my lawn. My son-in-law kept it a year before giving it away to another young person.
In summary, if I did not want a pool, I would not buy a house with one. They are a liability that cost money even when they are sitting there unused.
Last edited by High_Plains_Retired; 06-18-2011 at 05:03 PM..
From my perspective of having bought two houses with above ground swimming pools, a pool reduces significantly the number of people who will ever be interested in buying the property. ...
Not all pools are equal. Above ground pools are generally less desirable no matter where they're located. In my area, removing an above ground would likely increase the home value, but removing an inground would likely decrease value (assuming both were in good working condition).
Not all pools are equal. Above ground pools are generally less desirable no matter where they're located. In my area, removing an above ground would likely increase the home value, but removing an inground would likely decrease value (assuming both were in good working condition).
Bingo. Years ago, I gave away an above ground pool that was only 3 years old, just to get rid of it when we converted our home into a rental property. They add no value whatsoever, typically. Good quality in ground pools such as a gunnite pool, will usually add to the market value of the property. But the market value increase is typically only a fraction of the cost. In nice neighborhoods of Texas, you'll often find that there as many shoppers looking for a house with a pool versus those who "wouldn't have" a home with a pool.
I don't think you're crazy at all to be considering this. I suggest you find someone locally to talk to about filling a pool. Then, if you narrowed down your property search to 1-2 homes, you could perhaps get that person to come to the house with you. I think the cost of removing or filling a pool can depend on how easy you can get equiptment into the back yard (among other things).
Elderly father? Live near you? Does not want cost / upkeep / accident risk?
WHY IN THE WORLD would you be shopping for a place for this man to live on his own? Probably makes MORE SENSE to rent or find retirement community.
IF (and that is ONE HUGE IF...) there some good reason that he should be buying a house AND most / all available homes do have pools that is a VERY GOOD SIGN that other buyers will PROBABLY not be interested in this property without a pool.
A non-permanent option be available. Rigid covers are available that can be "locked down" either with the pool emptied or filled with stagnant water dosed with high concentrations fo fungicide. That should be explored. Depending on what the pool is filled with, it may be possible to temporarly drain it, block the filter ports and dump in a mix of filter sand and perlite than top that with standard "winter" cover. Should future buyers wish to re-use the pool that may be a way to "semi-suspend" the pool...
Depending on how eldrerly he is, i would think to rent an apartment. My Aunt took her mother down to Florida where they live, she is 93, they bought her a villa, less than one year later they had to put her into assisted living, I believe she broke a hpi....now they are stuck with the Villa.
What on Earth would make an elderly person BUY something.....now how elderly is your Father...if above 60, better to rent, you will save yourself a lot of headaches.
I don't think its a crazy question since I thought about it myself. I too live in Dallas and most of the houses in the area I'm interested in have pools. I absolutely don't want a pool so this narrows down the suitable available houses for me. Its amazing, people that have lots as small as .15 manages to shoehorn a pool in. Often wondered if I'm the only person in Dallas who doesn't want want.
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