[winknod]

I'm closing on my new house next week. The pool "looks" okay, no cracks. It appears to be concrete (but then I know nothing about pools). The house was built in 1963 and I assume the pool is original.
I was thinking that it would be a good idea to have it resurfaced/coated since it is empty and I hope to never have to empty it again. Then again, since the pool has no coating (that I can see), maybe adding a coating would be a bad idea.

I saw a similar house in another part of town (roughly the same age) where it was evident that the pool leaked into the ground, the yard smelled like sewage and the house foundation had serious problems (rising).
This house and yard show no signs of having had this type of problem and the "google map" photo shows the pool full as do the last sales listing photos (2007)

I'm a do-it-yourselfer and don't want to spend a lot of money. I had thought that I would give it a good power washing and maybe a scrub down with oxyclean (less toxic than TSP), and then just fill it.

Should I go ahead and just fill it as is once it's clean? I was thinking of having a couple of pool contractors look at it, but I don't want to waste money or have work done that I'll later regret (like bubbling paint).

[calgalt]

The pool should have been inspected with the home inspection. Did they say anything about it?

[winknod]

REO/ No Inspection.

I know enough about construction, wiring, plumbing, foundations, roofing, etc to do my own inspection so I am confident that the house and mechanicals are in good condition.
Bidding was hot and heavy, the only reason I got this house is because I waived inspection, am paying cash, and could close quickly. (The bank put in on the market for 1 week only.)

The price was so good that it would still be worth it if I have to spend a few thousand on the pool (I got it for $15-$20K less than recent sales of similar sized homes in the nearby area, and it's basically in move in condition with all appliances...)

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by winknod

REO/ No Inspection.

I know enough about construction, wiring, plumbing, foundations, roofing, etc to do my own inspection so I am confident that the house and mechanicals are in good condition.
Bidding was hot and heavy, the only reason I got this house is because I waived inspection, am paying cash, and could close quickly. (The bank put in on the market for 1 week only.)

The price was so good that it would still be worth it if I have to spend a few thousand on the pool (I got it for $15-$20K less than recent sales of similar sized homes in the nearby area, and it's basically in move in condition with all appliances...)

For those who get into this situation that was a mistake.

One may be asked to waive the inspection contingency on a REO. That is the buyers choice. But one should still get it inspected. For $400 you have a much better look at what you are getting into. And you may want to consider bailing out even though you lose your EMD.

This guy may be competent to do his own inspection. But it is actually rare. Unless you been in the trades a long time you don't know the right stuff.

[fatmancomics]

Looks in pretty good shape to me but I would still have those contractors look at it. You have to ask yourself why it's empty and who emptied it? Is the motor working? Is the filter in good shape? Leaks also don't just come from cracks on the walls. My pool leaked at the beginning of this year and the leak turned out to be coming from the bottom drain (it drained itself completely in 4 days). I was lucky that I found a guy who did a small repair for a couple hundred bucks instead of replaicing the whole thing for four thousand. My bottom drain doesn't work anymore but the water gets circulated by the other holes just fine.

If you have the money to spend, you should just go ahead and resurface it.

[winknod]

I have been in the trades for a long time and have owned several homes over the past 20 years. Just no pool experience.
I trust my own experience over that of someone who took a home inspection class.

I appreciate your comment, and for most people, yes a home inspection is a must.

The house was worth the price even without the pool, since I intended to add a pool it's existence is a big plus even if it cost a lot in repairs because I don't need to pull permits and have the hole dug, etc.

I got your DM, I'll contact Steve.

[MediocreButArrogant]

That pool looks like it needs replastering - or you can get a different surface, like Pebble-tec or 3m Colorquartz. Do a search to find out other's experiences with those alternative surfaces. Pool plaster is cleaned with muriatic acid - it's called an "acid wash".

[airics]

yes, it definitely looks like it needs work.. you should have had the inspection.. i think you are going to spend more than a "couple thousand" on the pool alone...probably closer to 5 or 6k.. how old is the equipment. you could always break it up and bury it

[tiger08]

Originally Posted by airics

yes, it definitely looks like it needs work.. you should have had the inspection.. i think you are going to spend more than a "couple thousand" on the pool alone...probably closer to 5 or 6k.. how old is the equipment. you could always break it up and bury it

Break it up and bury it??? He said he wanted a pool. Why would anyone destroy something that costs more than $30,000 bucks to have installed?

[tiger08]

I like that pool. It's nice to see a pool thats more than 5 or 6 feet deep.