We love our pool. We live in Florida.

We love our pool, live in NC.

We love our pool and we live in NY

Why is your husband so against having a pool? We just built a new home with a pool and love it. It's such a nice view and entertaining space.

A pool is a huge plus here in florida

Did someone say pool?

Where do you live? I'm in Arizona, so a pool is a necessity.

What are your husband's concerns about having a pool?

Following! We are house hunting too. A pool isn’t a must, but it’s highly unlikely we will put a pool in ourselves, so I’d like to find a home with one. Hoping I can learn more by watching the thread!

A lot depends on where you live and how you look at maintenance of a pool. I enjoy being outside and cleaning the pool to me would not be considered a chore. To my hubby, it would represent work he wouldn't want to do.

We avoid homes with pools. The overall maintenance (your hours or bought hours), cost ($500-1000/yr which may/not include electricity and water costs), and water loss (25-50k gallons year of chemically treated water) in areas with a drought, and then there's the environmental impact if done in the traditional manner. For us there's no positive reason to have a pool.

I've grew up in Phoenix AZ, lived in the FL panhandle, sand hills of NC and now Central Texas - no pool.

With dimensions of pool (including depth) in hand seek quotes from pool service companies. If pools are fairly common in the area the cost of pool service is quite modest. You get your pool, he doesn't need to do the work. Be sure to have the pool inspected before purchase as the age of equipment and interior surfacing are important factors.

We love our pool (SoCal) but it has a safety cover. I hesitate at having an open pool for safety reasons. (Kids/pets/neighbors)

If all else was right, I would........but I really don't want a pool. Maintenance and insurance issues are my main reasons. I love hanging out in a pool, but I'd rather it be in someone else's yard!

I am not positive what it cost us a year for the pool but I would guess at most 2k including everything. To us that is cheap entertainment. Yes we have to clean it once a week but really its very relaxing and we even enjoy that. We have said many times our pool was worth every penny and we would do it again. You have to ask yourself would you use a pool? Do you enjoy having company? Every party we have is great because we have a pool.

I pay $85 a month for my weekly pool service, which includes chemicals. I could totally do it myself as it's so easy, but I travel for work and want to make sure it’s taken care of.

Maintenance costs depend on the age of the pool and equipment. The newer variable-speed pumps are very energy efficient and maybe cost me around $50 per month with a heater/cooler attached.

It totally is cheap entertainment and great exercise as well.

Good luck with your decision!

A lot depends on your location also. Toronto Canada - maybe get 5 months of use - Florida - depending on location - possibly 12 months. People who have a pool tend to spend more time outside in warm weather - others stay inside air conditioned homes. Lots to think about both pros and cons.

No.

Yes!

Depends if you like a pool. In Florida it can be used 365 days a year....depending on the rain. Great entertainment area. Also realize 80% of the time the pool is for looks only. The other 20% of the time is for swimming. Make sure it looks great.

We live in Arizona and wouldn't consider a house without a pool! It's not just the cooling off in the summer, it also cools the entire yard! The look is gorgeous, it's a great entertaining space and in Arizona it adds to the resale value of the house. We have a salt system so maintenance is almost non-existent. Love Love Love our pool!

I am having a bad pool day, but I will weigh in. I am in NJ and put in a custom pool 3 years ago as part of a backyard remodel. We have loved, loved, loved it. It is heated so we are able to use it from May-Late September. Here- once the leaves start falling, we have to close it up for the season. Leaves clog everything up. It is wonderful to walk out into the yard and have an immediate relaxation and entertaining space. No sitting in traffic to get to the beach. I would say there are a few things to consider: #1- You would really have to have the pool thoroughly inspected before buying. They generally come riddled with problems or potential problems- most are expensive to fix, if needed. #2) I think having a pool close to the house is ideal. That said- the fencing will likely not protect children and pets from potential drowning so that is an issue. #3) As noted by others, they are expensive to maintain. Either you will spend a good deal of time cleaning and balancing it or will spend money for a service. At some point, something big will go wrong and you will need to pay for repairs. #4) Some buyers like pools, others do not. If you buy a home with a pool and plan to sell it in the future, your potential clientele will be reduced.

So- all in all, I would say that you really need to LOVE the pool to offset the headaches.

Where are you looking to buy?

Pools are like boats, maintenance and $$$ and you know what they say about a boat, The happiest day is the day you bought the boat, the 2nd happiest, the day you sold it.

Hehe. Good point!

We love our pool! Seattle, WA

we had one for 13 years i loved it, used it every day when it was warm (Houston texas is warm a lot) dh got in about 3 times that's it i took care of it most of the time (which wasn't a real problem because i was in it so much) dh took care of major issues which began to happen when the pool was 35 years old.....

We are in FL. DH didn't want a pool at first. Now he uses it more than me. I love having a pool. In fact we just came inside from using it. We can use either the pool or the hot tub almost every day of the year. If I was back in NY, I wouldn't want a pool with the bother and the fact that most of the year it's too cool to use.

We bought a property with a 18’x36’ in ground pool last year, it costs $400 to close/ open a pool, now it needs a new liner $4,300 and 3 truck load water $1,000. We will learn how to take care a pool ourselves.

The price went up to $6,500 now, when the pool guys came over for the measurements, it was a little bigger than 20'x40'. That's a lot for replacing a pool liner. Did you buy the house with the pool?

Buy it. You will never regret.