To buy a pool or not to buy a pool? (insurance, how much)

[angirocks]

We are house shopping this week and I am considering looking at a few beautiful houses that don't have a pool. We really WANT a pool but if it comes to a price difference of 100k and the house is awesome other than no pool...

Please give me a rough estimate on how much a covered in-ground pool (with jacuzi) is. I know there are different types. I am just wondering if we should even look at the ones that don't have one or not.

[Pragmaticus]

Those with Spa could easily go to 40K and more depending on what you have there such as finishing, size and so on. Appraisers don't put that much money when they estimate values for the house once it is in place. So, the best bang for your buck is to buy a house with one than trying to put one later. A 40K may end up adding a value of 15K to the house value.

[ferret111]

Make sure that you really plan on using it. I know a number of people who use it once, maybe twice a year and the rest of the time it's just an expensive decoration.

[kbrkr]

I agree, you MUST get the pool. You will regret it if you don't. I will also go one better, you ABSOLUTELY NEED THE HOT TUB. We use it all the time. You can do the pool on the cheap for 25,000. With pavers, spa, screen enclosure (this is also a must have), another 10K.

Best of luck in your search/journey!!

[BucFan]

I'm sure you can afford the increased utility costs (h20, electric) and insurance costs of having a pool, so I won't even mention it.

[debidibly]

I personally would rather purchase the home without the pool and put it in myself. I love my pool and use it daily so it is worth the expense for me. But if I'm spending that kind of money for it I want it to be not only aesthetically pleasing but have all the bells and whistles to keep maintenance to a minimum. A lot of people who don't plan to stay or don't have experience with pools won't spring for those bells and whistles which end up costing you time and money in the long run.

I would never be without a salt system (until something better comes along) but in an older pool you may get chlorine. I wouldn't be without a valet system for either. Then there are things like beach walk ins, fiber optic lighting, waterfalls. Our pool can be seen from every room in the house so I wanted it to have a wow factor.

[dlhanson]

We bought a house with an existing pool in Houston in 1995. During the 4 years we lived there we used it 3 times. It was a big pain and I will never buy a house with one again. Water and utility costs were not noticeable but the costs and time to keep it in good condition were very noticeable. Shortly before we left, we had a piping problem that was very expensive to repair.

[oldfart1947]

I have more than a couple family and friends who live in Fla.......every one of them has told me not to buy a home without a caged pool.

The price difference between homes with and homes without is so little, that you are practically getting the pool for free.

I have thought about buying without and putting in one later. BUT, then you'll have all that commotion with bulldozers tearing up your yard, then you have to re-sod...etc.....etc....etc

I could be wrong about this.......but I think that most of the homes without pools were owned by SNOWBIRDS who were only there in the winter.

[rezfreak]

Originally Posted by kbrkr

I agree, you MUST get the pool. You will regret it if you don't. I will also go one better, you ABSOLUTELY NEED THE HOT TUB. We use it all the time. You can do the pool on the cheap for 25,000. With pavers, spa, screen enclosure (this is also a must have), another 10K.

Best of luck in your search/journey!!

This is not true. We live in a house without a pool and I dont regret it. I like my lower cost every month and if i really feel the need to go swimming, i can go to the beach or the gym.

[SLCPUNK]

Originally Posted by ferret111

Make sure that you really plan on using it. I know a number of people who use it once, maybe twice a year and the rest of the time it's just an expensive decoration.

This.