Expert: Hans Weber, Licensed Broker Associate - 8/13/2007

Question
Thanks for taking my question.  My wife and I will likely be putting our house (in Amenia, NY)on sale within the next year. We have a 24' round above ground pool.  I have built a wooden deck around part of it and constructed a wooden wall around it.  We are thinking of disassembling the pool this fall.  We could make the walled pool area into a courtyard with plantings.  My question is, "Do you think the value of our property will be enhanced by removing the pool?  "  If we do remove it, should I landscape it or leave it as is?"  Thanks for your opinion.    John

Answer
Hi John,

Thank you for your question.

A rule of thumb in New York suburban residential real estate had been that a pool does not add value to a house and will keep some buyers, especially those with little kids, away.  And buyers looking for a property and wanting to put in a pool should buy a house with a pool since the existing pool would be just about free.

Now the economy and peoples' views have changed.  Now with more money and leisure time nice pools are appreciated if they are attractive, don't take up the whole yard and in good condition, especially if there are other pools in the neighborhood.

If your pool is in good condition and pleasing to look at then you can leave it in place and put your home on the market when you open the pool next spring so buyers can be ready to use it for the summer.

If you do remove it you need to make it disappear by landscaping over it.  A sitting garden/courtyard would be nice.

Good luck with your move and enjoy the rest of the summer by your pool!  It sounds great!

Hans