Should I Get An In-Ground Swimming Pool?

The wife has been hounding me with the idea getting an in-ground swimming pool, especially right now when prices have been really low. While I don't care for the idea (because, like, I don't have enough maintenance to do around the house) she says it would be nice to have, our Son would practically live by the pool, yada yada. We know a few couples that have pools (but only one with kids) and the comments about having them are mixed.

While I feel we would get good use out of it, I'm concerned about the amount of upkeep and resale value it would add to the home. I live in south Florida so I feel it may be ok, but I'd like to get some more pros and cons, perhaps some things I may be missing? I don't want to drop 15-25K on this if I can't recoup at least 50% of the cost when we sell. Thanks.

 

I hate having a pool - but for different reasons than you would. I live in PA and it's rare that our above ground temp reaches over 80f - with a solar cover. We take great care of our cover and can only manage 3yrs out of it ($80 each). We dump about $75 worth of chemicals each year and worry like crazy when our daughter is outside (she's 2 1/2). It is fenced in but kids can be creative. We used it 3x last year and it is the staple of our backyard.

We thought about getting rid of it but think our daughter will really enjoy it in a couple years. It is also great for ambience when we entertain. We don't "use" it with our adult friends but we do sit around it and enjoy it while staying dry. I guess that's getting value out of it.

 

they make fiber glass in ground pools now that cost less than half to install and are great we put some in on south padre island

 

consider a salt-water pool.... thats what alot of properties are doing these days.

Saltwater vs. Chlorine, Pros and Cons

• Saltwater is an expense when it is installed, but after that you do not have to add chlorine as salt makes chlorine. This saves you $60 for every bucket you buy.

• Salt is softer on your skin.

• The new salt systems are great, as they monitor and clean themselves.

• You also do not have the obnoxious little floater in your pool all the time with salt.

• Both systems generate Disinfection By Products (DBP). Both systems are very climate dependent and also vary based on pool usage.

 

I would say no if you have just one son. It is alot of work and maintence. With growing up with a pool you dont use it as much as you think you would. Just my 2 cents.

 

My coworker use to build pools for a living. If you do get a pool, get a jacuzzi as well. He told me it wasn't too much more. I would want a pool around me house. I just wouldn't want to do the maintenance.

 

I thought about putting one it, but the cost associated with it is alot. You will probably spend more money then its worth. IE when it comes time to put the house on the market, you will not get what you put into the pool.

 

In South Florida, maybe you can get some good use out of it. Here's why I hate ours (live in PA):

1) Always worried about safety for little kids (fenced in, but still...)
2) Chemical treatments cost $$$
3) Higher electric bill in running the pump/filter
4) Cleaning dead (and live) animals out of the trap
5) Skimming out leaves/bugs/whatever else happens to fall in the water
6) Only gets used 3-4x per year
7) Everyone wants to come over (guess how often they bring food/towels with them)
8) Visits from nature (we have ducks and frogs frequently stopping by for a swim)
9) Evaporation... yes, you'll need to KEEP it filled, so expect a slightly higher water bill, too.
10) General maintenance isn't cheap
11) Higher home insurance

When we bought the house, we told the old owners they could take it with them. Join a local swim club or community center if available instead.

If you really gotta get one, get an above-ground. At least it's easier to take out or take down if you want to reclaim your lawn space.

 

Yea

 

Thanks for the input, especially the salt water pool. We'll ponder over it.

I'll get two if they come with the hottie.

 

Cement Pond! I say go for it. As a user of many peoples pools during the summer I prefer the salt water pool. As for maintenance, IDK because like I said before, I just pee in them.

 

Here in eastern Canada, most people have circular above ground pools. Cheap to install, keeps the kids busy, and easy to tear down when the kids grow up or when you sell the house.

Cheers.

 

You are not invited to my pool party.

 

I grew up having a pool all my life - except now that I'm out of the house. My parents have a pool still. It's inground..... and they love it.
Kids or no kids, they are fun to invite friends over, pool parties, bbq's, skinny dipping, and good exercise too. My parents are 70ish and Dad still gets out there and maintains it. He does laps in it.
My mom can't even swim, she just 'dips' in it and lays out in the sun.
They're always having friends over.

Although I don't know how much, but it is expensive for all the chemicals, testing kits, cleaning kits, etc etc etc.

My parents have a solar cover - at which they had replaced after about 5 years (it got hard and brittle). They also have an automatic cleaner they named it "Monica" - she drives around the pool all day cleaning as she goes, even climbs up the walls.

In the winter - Dad has to cover it up. One year....I went down to VA to help him cover it. It was too much work for him to do himself. That is, until he got rid of the old cover and bought a newer style one.

Not sure about retail value, but living in Florida.....you'll get more $$ for a pool down there than you would in PA or VA.

 

As a 16 year old boy, be prepared to have kids be at your house every day during the summer when your kid turns into a teenager. But that also means your kid will be at your house which parents usually like. I would look into getting a hot tub also.

 

I have had a pool my whole life here in Florida and I say no to a pool. They are very pricy and it will never get used (Trust Me). Just use the neighbors LOL

 

Since you live in FL, you can at least enjoy it. As for resale value, that is hard to quantify. Many potential buyers will walk away from a house that has one, as they don't want to mess with the upkeep. Someone that is jonesing for one, will snatch up your place, over one that doesn't have it. Personally, I'm with you on the fact that I wouldn't want to contend with the massive amount of additional maintenance.

 

had an in ground pool at my last two homes in Los Angeles, and used them all the time

absolutely great for chilling, partying, entertaining, banging, sitting in or near and drinking, and of course combining any number of the aforementioned

my kid uses it all the time too, learned to swim really young, and now he's super comfortable in the water

of course, now my ex-wife owns the house/pool, and she gets hella use out of it

when she goes out of town, i bang strange in it