Pool removal can be very expensive. Ask your realtor What they suggest.

We bought a property with a pool (20'x40' ) needed repair. We put in a new liner, new pump, 3 truck loads of water ( filled rest with well water), it cost us $7,500. It's not cheap, but it's much cheaper than building a new pool. You could sell it as is, let new owners to deal with it. I'd think most of people would like to have a pool. One of my neighbors filled their pool, it cost them $20,000 ( NY state)..

If you were in the northeast I would say fill it, but in southern CA most houses in the suburbs have pools and people expect to see a pool and will buy house with a pool, even when they might not have much use for it.

Price your home so the future buyer can deal with it either way.

Due to coronavirus, people are going crazy with pools. I am in Northeast, the snow country, there is a long waiting list to install new pools. I am very happy the previous property owner didn’t fill the pool. The pool was in good shape though, but the liner and pump went. Do most of your neighbors have pools?

Not a pro, but I'm guessing this is a house you're flipping.

I live in the MIdwest and out here people are also going crazy for pools. I've heard there is a year wait in my suburb. I would love to have a pool.

I would think in Anaheim a pool would be a huge asset. If that were my house I'd fix it.

I agree with others that suggest fix or offer an allowance. We currently live in the mid-west and due to a broken promise to move back to California my husband signed a contract last December so we would have an in-ground pool this summer. With the Covid it has been wonderful and the wait list is over a year in our area now. It has been so nice during the long hot summer to have something to enjoy.

I would let the buyer deal with it. If you fix it or remove it, you are eliminating a set of potential buyers (those that want a pool, or those who don't).

In CA, I'd fix it. Like others we live in the Midwest. About 8 years ago my husband wanted to fill our pool in because the kids were grown. He's changed his tune this summer. It's given us something to do on weekends right now. I'm dreading fall/winter when it will be closed.

It depends. Pools are a better selling point in higher end communities of SoCal. They are expensive to maintain, and water is expensive in CA. Liability is also a concern. If the lot has adequate space for outdoor activities in addition to the pool (barbeque, patio seating, a patch of lawn) and if the hardscape and landscape fits with the style of the home, it helps quite a bit. It is impossible to tell what surrounds your pool from the photograph.

There are many home buyers here for which a pool gets the home automatically scratched off of the search list. But others are fine with a pool (or maybe don't understand the downsides until too late). If it is part of a professionally designed yard, it is a plus for sale. If you try to leave it as is and discount the home's price, you will probably greatly narrow the number of buyers that would be interested in purchasing the home.

Here in the SE, people are also going nuts for pools bc of Covid. Neighborhood swim clubs and country clubs have either closed or greatly restricted pool access. There are two pools being constructed on my street as we speak. I want one myself. 😂

Fix it

I live in South Orange County, I'd talk to local real estate agents. It is easy to call some demo companies to gets bids for that. You can also call some pool builders to price the repair work. Knowing both prices helps you decide.

Knowing your house in in Anaheim at 1300 sq ft. I'm guessing it is more of a starter house, is the yard small? If the yard is small and it is a starter house, I'd do the least expensive fix and sell it.

my mother in Florida just had the same debate. it was cheaper for her to fix it than remove it.

I wouldn’t leave it for the buyer to fix - you’re going to eliminate more buyers than you attract with that.
Personally I would fix it and stage it well - with 1300 sf and a temperate climate you’re doubling your living space.
Pools here are in high demand. We are building one now - the pool companies are crazy busy. We personally know 8 people putting them in this year - things are crazy with covid!

Thank you all for the great suggestions! We decided to fix the pool!