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Paul Cannon, Attorney (Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.)

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Swimming pools largely do not pencil. They're an expensive OPTION. Pricey to build, PITA to maintain, pose safety hazards--and the romance wears off quickly. And this is from someone that spent 3 decades in Southern California (always w pool) and lives in the hottest place on the map! We get very few that insist on a pool. More people would rather not have one--or want a community pool maintained by someone else.

Mar 19, 2018 08:35 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

Up here in CT you are lucky to get 3 months of use so they are a luxury to have. They're expensive to keep up because things break on them, you have to open & close them for the season & they require regular maintenance by a professional or the owner so it costs time & money. For others, it can be a safety hazard if you have small children around, even with a fence around it. I've seen owners spend upwards of $100K on their pools & still be underwater (no pun intended) on their house when they go to sell. 

Mar 19, 2018 11:38 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

         I caution people that they will be lucky to get half of what they paid for a swimming pool.  See an Appraiser for a detailed explanation as to why.  

    It's also an expensive maintenance item, plus the insurance premium (especially if you have a deep pool, a diving board, or a slide).

   But if you are south of Interstate 4, you should have a pool.  They are expected.

Mar 19, 2018 09:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

High cost of maintenance and water evaporation cost. Water supply is restricted here. Most people filled the pool.  For severalyears, one can build a pool but can not fill water as it is of restricted matter.

People go to public or hoa pool but do not want to touch a house with a mosquito or algie filled water......

Mar 19, 2018 10:18 PM
Rainmaker
805,899
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

They are expensive to maintain, extra work on keeping them up. There is only about 10-20% of buyers that want them here.

Mar 19, 2018 06:40 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

It depends on the geographical area. 

Mar 20, 2018 05:15 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Most improvements don't recoup their actual COST.  Value is in the eyes of the beholder.   Do not confuse the definitions of "value" and "cost".

Mar 19, 2018 11:14 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Seems like appraisers usually value them less than 50% of what they cost, and that's if you're lucky. Many people these days don't want the maintenance or liabilty. I remember one seller filling his in with dirt and converted it to a garden.

Mar 19, 2018 09:12 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A matter of priorities, for those who build them they are the top priority, for those who buy a house the house may be a much higher priority and the pool is just a lesser desired attachment.

Mar 19, 2018 09:03 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Many buyers do not want a pool ... they don't want the maintenance and prefer the dirt so they can garden or use the area for other things ... you won't get any value from an appraiser for solar panels either ... even though a homeowner might spend $25,000 to buy and install. 

People who pay to have a pool built do it for personal use ... not to get an expected return on their investment. 

Mar 19, 2018 08:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Depends on what area you are in. In the south, near FL you better have one & that's that. Put that same pool in IL where I am & you've just lost your entire investment because everyone is afraid the kids are going to drown. Better have them in NV, CA, AZ too.

I remember my uncle saying when I sold his house with a pool - I don't even want another house with an oversize bathrub - no jacuzzi - nothing that holds water.

Mar 19, 2018 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

In places like Charlotte it's not a must-have... we are not a year round swimming community. The hassle of maintaining and insuring puts off a lot of people. Then again, virtually no upgrades to a home recoup their entire value.

Mar 19, 2018 08:38 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

In our market, few buyers want a swimming pool.

Mar 19, 2018 08:33 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Fred Griffin nailed this one!

Mar 20, 2018 05:23 AM
Ambassador
5,230,068
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, now that is funny about the Astros, Paul! LOL

Charlotte has 4 true seasons so, we don't have nearly as many pools as you do, nor as much of the year that one can be comfortably used. Not all buyers want them so, sometimes they are a hindrance - a negative to many. I love pools but, have never made my money back when installing one!

Mar 19, 2018 08:28 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Not everyone wants to or knows how to maintain the pool and so the value is not there for every single buyer.

Mar 19, 2018 07:05 PM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Just like any improvement that is left behind, there is a premium on doing it that is never recovered dollar for dollar. 

Mar 19, 2018 04:10 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

In my area, many buyers emphatically state, "Do NOT show me a house with a pool!" They don't want the maintenance costs or the potential liability. And there are only about four or so months that they can be used anyway. 

Mar 19, 2018 01:06 PM
Rainmaker
230,954
Ingrid Pierson
Wesely & Associates - Auburn, CA
Making Friends & Helping Friends with Real Estate

Annette's  assessment is absolutely correct.  In my market area Placer/Sacramento Counties of California, pools correctly displayed become an asset feature.

Do Sellers see 100% return on investment? No, in our area typical appraisal adjustments range from 5,000 to 50,000 depending upon the type of pool and outdoor entertainment features that comprise the atmosphere creation so well stated by Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041  

A "here's the pool" in a average neighborhood yields the 5k the social setting with outdoor kitchen, eating area and entertainment patio and spa in an upscale neighborhood yields the 50k and is expected.

Mar 19, 2018 09:41 AM
Rainer
427,257
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

IMO, the liability of a pool is the largest deterrent to those uninitiated with pools. Having had a pool in the past, the maintenance and upkeep of a pool is the biggest PITA ( Candice A. Donofrio's words, not mine but I don't deny them). I now have a membership to a swim club...best money ever spent, even if I do not use it one time a year.

Mar 19, 2018 09:14 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

ditto to Candice A. Donofrio 's thoughts..... and our season in New England is VERY SHORT!!!  many will pass on buying the "right house" because it has a pool!!!!

Mar 19, 2018 08:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Worst depreciation nof any additions.

Mar 19, 2018 08:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

In Indiana we have 3-4 months of pool weather.  They do not retain their value here.  

Mar 19, 2018 08:45 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I would challenge the assertion swimming pools do not recoup their value.  I do affirm that Atmosphere is more important than utility. Don't try to sell a pool.

Outdoor living space, kitchens, fire features, entertainment, pool, spa DO bring value...even more value when they can be used more that 2 months a year. 

I find citizens in the buying from of mind respond positively to Atmosphere. Outdoor entertainment areas brings more value than 'and here's the pool."

The creation of atmosphere determines whether the buyer sees building and nurturing their society or more work.

Mar 19, 2018 08:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I hope you got the right answer from all of them. Good luck. 

Oct 20, 2018 10:57 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Good question and great answers. I hope it helps you. 

Oct 20, 2018 10:54 PM
Rainmaker
2,241,053
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Oh I don't know ... maybe because it's easier to water ski on a lake? In rural Maine, there is nothing like being on a lake, listening to loons, watching the sunrises, sunsets with wildlife rolling by! Hard to ice fish in a pool too.

maine lake photo

 

Mar 20, 2018 02:53 PM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

It's not an investment, it's a lifestyle expense. IMO

Mar 20, 2018 10:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Pools are the subject of love/hate relationships. I really wanted one when I was young (pre-teen). Now I would not want one. In the area of the San Francisco Bay where I live, the afternoon wind means it is less than optimal pool use time.

Mar 19, 2018 05:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Homes with pools sell much faster than without and even you can not guarantee that a house with pool will cost 10-20k more, they do sell for a higher price( depends on the condition). 

Mar 19, 2018 02:22 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

In some parts of the country they have value, in others they do not.  Our poo; in SoCal did add value to the home.  Here in Santa Barbara, it does not.  A

Mar 19, 2018 01:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,292,741
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

We recently had a question on the office how much to add for a pool when pricing a home. Value assigned by nearly all agents was $0. Having a pool reduces the number of people interested as some buyers definitely don't want one.

Mar 19, 2018 10:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

LOL!  The Astros are definitely the cause!

 

Pools don't recoup their value, maintenance is a pain.  Although in tracts where 99% of homes have a pool, it can be hard to sell being the 1% without one.

Mar 19, 2018 09:38 AM
Rainmaker
914,695
Eagle Ridge Realty
Eagle Ridge Realty - Gilroy, CA
"Our Performance Will Move You!"

One loses about half their buyers, unless of course, the pool is almost an absolute necessity such as in areas of California like Palm Springs or Beverly Hills.

Mar 20, 2018 09:26 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Here in NH a pool adds more value to those who want a pool. It can ditract from a home if the buyers dont want it and will remove it

Mar 20, 2018 05:49 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul Cannon - not everyone is a fan of swimming pool.

Mar 19, 2018 07:53 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Candice has the answer.

Mar 19, 2018 05:56 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

In Washington state you'll be luckt to get half the price because of our weather 

Mar 19, 2018 05:26 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

My last house had a pool. The first year of ownership the children invited friends over to swim, next year no so much, the third year the only person to go in the pool was me with a pumice stone or getting patio umbrella after a storm. Daily scooping the leaves, checking on why pool man didn't show, worry about nephews over during family parties who were toddlers, and extra utility bills tarnished the glory of a pool, fast. 

Mar 19, 2018 03:32 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Good question Paul...lets get some answers

Mar 19, 2018 10:45 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

To some they are a liability and not an asset.

Mar 19, 2018 09:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul Cannon Pools severely limit the buying pool and can become a liability. I don't believe any investment will allow an owner to recoup 100% of the cost.

Mar 19, 2018 09:00 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

In Florida most home had one and those that did not remained on the market much longer. That said, they can be a pain with maintenance and the luster wears off quickly as the kids grow! 

Mar 19, 2018 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

They are a huge detriment here in Denver, can only use it about 5-7 weeks a year.

Mar 22, 2018 08:22 AM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

It's a personal want and a money pit.  

Mar 20, 2018 08:32 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

It's pretty much like any other improvements.  Rarely do they add the full value of their cost to the home.

Mar 20, 2018 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I think it may have to do with design for one.  Some costs are way  overbaord.

Mar 19, 2018 08:04 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

In my area they might bring an extra 25% of the cost to install to the appraisal. They are only usable 25% of the year too. 

Mar 19, 2018 07:38 PM
Rainer
86,514
Mike Kelly,CRS,CIPS
The MJKelly Team - Santa Rosa, CA
"One of Sonoma County's Natural Resources"

I always ask a pool owner what they paid for the installation. I then ask them when was the pool installed. If they reply 10 years ago and it cost $75,000 (I'm in California mind you!) I divide the $75,000 by 10 and state you've provided your family with an exclusive pool club which cost $7500 per year. Once you explain the initial trepidation most buyers have to a pool they get it. However, certain price points SHOULD have a pool. An infinity in the $1,500,000+ range is an amentity most wish for. 

Mar 19, 2018 12:11 PM