Community pool....? (real estate, HOA fees, insurance)

[np206]

We are having a hard time finding a house in our price range with a pool. Just wondering people's thoughts on community pools?

Thanks!

[bbronston]

Most people seem to like the idea but some find it revolting. It just depends on your point-of-view. If you have any reservations, ask the association if they test the water and how often.

[blueherons]

I think Lido Pool is really cool!

[javafreak]

I'm by no means a germophobe, but public pools are disgusting imho. Just look around at the crowded pools and ask yourself how many of those people you think are getting out to go potty. Not to mention the people who are just downright nasty with open sores or p*** poor hygiene. No thanks!

[sixstring09]

Pee Pools are Nasty.

How can anyone actually enter something like that??

[MattMN]

Community pool is the way to go! Now, I'd never use one of those little dipping pools people have in their backyard. Plus my coworkers are regularly talking about a leak, or a pump going out, or the electric bill to heat it, or problems with the solar panels they use to save on electricity for heating it. Plus there is the water treatment - testing, buying and adding chemicals, cleaning it, changing the filter, etc. Personally, I would never want one.

But I understand how people like them. Some love to take a daily dip. Some have kids that play in it regularly, and it's easier than taking them up to the community pool.

But for us, having a community pool is definitely the way to go. Big enough to socialize or actually swim some laps, and when we don't want to use it - no worries, no hassle! Sure, I'm still paying a little for it via HOA fees, but its worth it to us.

Just one perspective.

[bbronston]

Along the same lines as MattMN, we added a pool to our house as an afterthought and thought we'd use it all the time since we had a young daughter at the time. We used it a lot in the beginning but, as she got older, we used it less and less. I wouldn't say something was always breaking but it did happen. Eventually, the value was more about extending the living space and having a nice outdoor area to enjoy.

Also to MattMN's point, home pools are typically not really useful for serious swimming. That's not really their purpose. Community pools, OTOH, are often large enough to swim laps and, in my experience, they tend to get very little use.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I really dont like the idea of sharing a pool with a possibility of pee in it - adult diapers with poop in it - who the heck knows?

Having a home pool is a hassle - my husband cleans ours - but yes - it costs money to run the pump, buy chemicals, clean it, your wind and home insurance is higher.

But - I also love to jump in the pool after I am very hot - after a bike ride or mowing the lawn - I can go in anytime I want - midnight swims - and it is also nice to look at.

I notice homes without pools are hard to sell and sell for much less.

[newtovenice]

You can get a lower priced home and put the pool in yourself.

[jean_ji]

Originally Posted by newtovenice

You can get a lower priced home and put the pool in yourself.

You can, but have a pool contractor inspect the house/site for suitability before buying. Add it to the contingencies. We have newer neighbors who were told they could put in a pool by their real estate agent. The pool company came out a few months later after their purchase. They could put in a pool, but because of various restrictions, the pool would have to be so small, that neither the homeowners or the pool company would be happy. They could build it, but they didn’t advise it.