Detention pond in the backyard! (insurance, houses, landscaping)

[Spring2018]

Loved a house it has everything we are looking for, however has a detention pond(not fenced) in the backyard( between this house and the house on the back- which has metal fence) and the basement has only one room finished(rest is unfinished). The house is beautiful however it is sitting in the market for long, not sure if it was because it was over priced or unfinished basement or the detention pond. We really love the house, but detention pond is new for us. We were planning on putting a fence to cover it up if we buy it. Any thoughts or insights are welcome! Most of the houses we have seen in GA have creeks in the backyard, so not sure how big a deal the detention pond is. The better half thinks it would be a good buy if the price is lowered :-). Feel free to share your experience. Thanks in advance!

[dblackga]

Could be a combination of factors. What you are referring to is a RETENTION pond, though, not a detention pond -- it retains water and allows silt and solids to settle before it is released into local streams, etc., to help with flood management and soil retention. (See: https://www.lccdnet.org/wp-content/uploads/Ponds.pdf )

Homes on retention ponds around here are generally considered less desirable -- it's basically standing water with little movement, which encourages mosquitoes (and possibly other critters, such as snakes, etc.). Creeks with freely running water are less likely to have the conditions necessary for mosquito breeding and larvae, and depending on how close they are to the house, might be considered an asset (i.e., "babbling brook") or a detriment (possible moisture issues and possible need for flood insurance, depending on size of creek andtopography of property). Some HOAs are more proactive than others, stocking mosquito-larvae-eating fish in the retention ponds, etc. Others ignore them, and you end up overlooking green scum. Yuck.

A fence would hide it, certainly, as well as some well-chosen landscaping, but make sure that the fence does not encroach into the common area that generally surrounds a retention pond - know EXACTLY where your property line is. Retention ponds will almost always slow down the resale of a home -- so factor that into any decision-making, too.

[cqholt]

Check and research who is responsible for maintenance of the pond and ensure it is not you.

[AnsleyPark]

Skeeters will be a problem...

[Spring2018]

Thank you dblackga!