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Ellen Caruso (Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty)

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Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

No one puts in a pool just to add value, you install a pool because you love pools, love to swim, love the patio or deck. An inground pool adds value but to those who also love pools. A AG pool can be easily taken down if the buyer hates it

Jan 28, 2016 07:02 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

If someone wants a pool when looking at homes, its a plus. If they don't want one, than the home is often "ruled out" of contention.

Jan 28, 2016 04:27 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 pools are a matter of personal taste. Some want them some don't.

Jan 28, 2016 05:40 PM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Depends on your market.  In Northern VA, they don't add any value.  Of course, in some markets like Florida or California, not having would take away value.  I'd say, if you aren't going to use it, why risk losing the investment of doing it?

Jan 28, 2016 09:44 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

It depend on the state, if you have to winterize the pool, it can be a pain.

Jan 28, 2016 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

1. Is it popular to have an in ground pool?

2. What is the difference between pool vs non-pool. Run a CMA on it.

3. What is the cost to maintain? You used solar to heat?

Our pool is filled as garden. The water, chemical and electricity for empty nest is cost prohibitive.

4. Here is CA as warm temperature as we have. People prefer to go to public pool or someone else pool as it is not popular anymore. Several homes do not sell and owners offer to fill the pool up.  

5. One acre lot is not excessively large you can have a tennis court, basketball court. If you spend $75K on the pool I do not believe it will worth $75K more....

Sam Shueh

 

Jan 28, 2016 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Ellen - Sounds like you really don't need or want a pool, so I would suggest not having one installed, even though it seems like you could easily afford the taxes, etc.

I don't think adding a pool would add as much value to the home as it might cost to build, so let the new owners put in a pool after you sell the home.

Jan 30, 2016 06:22 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Pools will add value to people who want a pool. Most people have pools because they want them and use them. Adding a pool to increase value I feel may be a losing proposition.

Jan 29, 2016 02:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Depends on the neighborhood.  

I wouldn't advise a seller in my market to install a pool before putting it on the market.  

Jan 28, 2016 08:57 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not think it will add value. It may have fewer potential  buyers when you decide to sell.

Jan 28, 2016 08:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Ellen. They add value for a buyer that wants a pool to the others, it has no value.

Jan 28, 2016 05:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Ellen, I lived in four houses while growing up.  One had a community pool, one we put in a gorgeous custom pool with a stone waterfall and a dark bottom and the final one came with a generic pool.  We used the pool MAYBE 3 times a year... if that!  I will never buy a house with a pool, the maintenance is a pain and the usage is low.

 

Do pools add value, yes and usually more than the cost of the pool in my experience.  Will you eliminate certain buyers, most definitely!

 

My advice: Don't add a pool for resale unless you live in an area where you are the ONLY home without one.  My investor turned down a house because it literally was the ONLY house in that neighborhood without a pool and they would have had to put one in just to be comparable.

Let someone design the pool they want.  I can tell you, going from the house with the amazing tropical backyard and spa with a slate stone faced waterfall with good sized rocks too, to a generic lap pool was a huge downer.  Let someone design the pool of their dreams and not force them into some cookie cutter pool.

Jan 28, 2016 02:49 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Ellen Caruso - not so much in our area, The pool is closed for more than half-the-year for us in MA...

Jan 28, 2016 02:16 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I live in CO and pools aren't common in my particular market. I can't answer that question. 

Jan 28, 2016 01:10 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

A house would get zero points for an in-ground pool in DC this week!

Jan 28, 2016 12:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Around here, they fill them in, because the expense is too high in northern Indiana, and only 2 months of use.

Jan 28, 2016 12:22 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I think it depends on the market.  Here I would say little to no value and half the people who buy a home with one fill it in

Jan 28, 2016 12:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Ellen Caruso Less value, more taxes and more work.

Jan 28, 2016 11:53 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

In my market it is subject to the wants of the Buyer. Most appraisals I have seen add a negative for them. Our winters are six months of the year so I have to agree.  Way to much maintenance and very little use.

Jan 28, 2016 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

They add very little value in TN since swiming weather is basically June to September.

Jan 28, 2016 11:20 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,977
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I don't think it adds value. 

Jan 28, 2016 11:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

If the pool is not for your personal enjoyment, then don't even bother. The upkeep, added electricity , and higher taxes and insurance cured me several homes ago. Add value? Sure but not as much as the cost of building the pool in the first place.

Jan 28, 2016 10:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Minnesota it usually detracts form the value

Jan 28, 2016 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

In my area, pools take away value.  No one wants to deal with something you can only use 3 months a year.

Jan 28, 2016 09:38 AM
Rainer
140,560
Richard L. McKinney P.A.
Atlantic Shores Realty Expertise - Port St Lucie, FL
For Results that MOVE you on the Treasure Coast!

In ground pools do add some value.

Jan 28, 2016 09:02 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I don't think pools add to the value -- many buyers don't want them due to liability and upkeep issues.

 

Jan 28, 2016 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

In our area, it does not add value

 

Jan 28, 2016 08:34 AM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

There's very little adjustment for pools on appraisals compared to the cost.  It's like everything else, if you are not doing it for your pen enjoyment, then don't do it and market the home with "room for a pool".

Jan 28, 2016 08:33 AM
Rainmaker
564,720
Women of Westchester Working Together
Women of Westchester Working Together - West Harrison, NY
Women helping Women get ahead

Ellen - I love pools, but in our area, it doesn't add much value (as I've heard ad infinitum from agents).  The ROI on this is low...as many don't value it and many don't want to pay the maintenance fees...so sometimes it lowers the value.  For some, they also have safety concerns for little kids, so some avoid those homes all together.

The idea is to build a pool if you love it and will use it...knowing that you may only recoup 20-30% of the investment.  (of course the #'s may be different if he is building it.

You can probably inquire ahead of time on the tax implications...which can obviously cost you more while your selling and will also impact the buyer.

I see many luxury homes in our are with and without pools. 

Jan 28, 2016 08:05 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

I think pools add value, but it depends on where you live Ellen Caruso!  Here, in an age-restricted community, they are not that popular.  Here we have 2 pools in the community, one being Olympic-size, so you get to enjoy it without having it in your backyard.  You can do laps or take water aerobic classes, without having to care for it.  I would not put in a pool when you decide to sell though, as you are doing it for someone else and not getting to enjoy the benefits yourself or for your children.  To someone else it might just be an additional expense that they cannot afford.  I know, it's hard to imagine a pool not having value to everyone!

Jan 28, 2016 07:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

A poor investment in Washington state.

Jan 28, 2016 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

Here, it depends on what side of the road you are on. On the ocean side it is a great vacation rental option and on the other side it is just a nusance.

Jan 28, 2016 07:42 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

A pool adds value but about a third of what it cost to put it in.

Jan 28, 2016 07:28 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

 IN Glen Head NY a pool is a hole into which you throw money.

IN Tampa Florida, a pool is as vital as air conditioning for those living a active lifestyle. Was in the pool Christmas Day.

Location, location, location.

Jan 28, 2016 07:06 AM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

It is a hard question to answer and I can see both sides. Pools would be nice where the climate makes it useful to use. Here is Chicago, no. The cost of upkeep and the short time that you can use it, doesn't make sense to install.  The cost factor of adding a pool will never be gotten back in increased selling price. Unless your house is on "Love it or List it". 

Jan 28, 2016 07:00 AM
Rainer
42,670
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

Why complicate the sale of your Home? If you incur the cost of an upscale pool and landscaping you may not be able to recover the cost when you sell your home. Find out what homes similiar to yours with pools in your area have sold for and how long it took for them to sell. This should help you decide.

Jan 28, 2016 06:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

No value added in colder climates since our summers are so short.  Now if I was buying home in South I would want pool.

Jan 28, 2016 06:45 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Ellen,
I would never put a pool into sell. You won’t get your money back.
Too many buyers see a pool as a liability or maintenance headache.

Jan 28, 2016 05:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

there's a demand for them in my area.., but the appraisers don't care about them, as far as I've heard.... here, buyers who want them exceed the number of those who do not want them.....we always had an inground pool when the children were small....and they have them now for their families...

Jan 28, 2016 05:01 AM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I think the value, or not, is based on the buyer - some don't want the additional cost and maintenance. Not sure that they are ever added as an adjustment in an appraisal. On of those "depends" questions

Jan 28, 2016 04:35 AM
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

Ooo, that's really hyperlocal. In my area, we have FEW pools because we have the Colorado River and a LOT of second home owners (and pools don't clean themselves)! In Palm Springs 200 miles SW and super-similar climate, practically EVERYONE has a pool . . .
I would in your case take a look at the stats and see what the ROI of a pool is. I don't believe they ever really pencil out except for enjoyment.
If it were I, I would let the buyer decide and adjust pricing accordingly.

Jan 28, 2016 04:15 AM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Not here.

Apr 23, 2019 09:01 PM
Rainer
2,600
Laura Castellucci
Remax Preferred - Sewell, NJ

in my opinion , any major improvement adds value, but with most major improvements the appraiser usually doesn't give the owner what they paid.  But many people love in ground pools and many do not, but I would say it's 50/50 desired.   

Jan 31, 2016 04:44 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Pools are a favorite here in Florida. Most people just look at them, pay for a pool service, and say they have one for resale!

Jan 28, 2016 08:15 PM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Totally depends if the buyer is looking for a home with pool.  In Texas built in pools are popular, even above ground pools in the country. Others will say they are a pain and cause more issues.  I would not add a pool just to sell.  That would be a great marketing tool if the builder will put in a pool once the home is sold.

Jan 28, 2016 01:50 PM
Rainmaker
506,530
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Barbara, I agree if someone wants one they might value it and pay more, especially if they dont want it and have to pay $ to fill it in or remove it!

Jan 28, 2016 05:09 AM