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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
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Buying a house - pool already closed
Did anyone buy a home where the pool had already been
closed for the season? It was closed already when we saw the house. Can we address this in the contract somehow in case it needs major work? tia
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Posted 10/14/11 5:43 AM  |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Yes you can require them to open the pool for the inspection or you can have them put money in escrow in case there is anything wrong with it when you do open it. You should definitely do one of these. We didn't and the liner was torn and needed to be replaced in our pool. It cost about $3000 to repair.
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| Posted 10/14/11 7:23 AM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Thanks. Our agent told us we would just have to "take a gamble" which didn't sound right to us. When you mention requiring them to open it for the inspection, is it just a matter of asking them to take the cover off so the inspector can see in the pool, or is there more to it than that?
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| Posted 10/14/11 8:32 AM |
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LeShellem
A new beginning
Member since 2/07 3600 total posts
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LeShelle
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Posted by MrsD06
Thanks. Our agent told us we would just have to "take a gamble" which didn't sound right to us. When you mention requiring them to open it for the inspection, is it just a matter of asking them to take the cover off so the inspector can see in the pool, or is there more to it than that?
You will want to know that the filter works as well. If it doesn't it's another huge expense.
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| Posted 10/14/11 11:46 AM |
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cds58019
The loves of my life :)
Member since 6/08 4276 total posts
Name:
Candice
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
The house we are buying soon has the pool closed already too. The owners agreed to let my husband (because he owns his own pool company) open the pool, treat it and run it and then close it back up.
I find it strange that your agent told you you would just have to take a gamble. 
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| Posted 10/14/11 12:09 PM |
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cds58019
The loves of my life :)
Member since 6/08 4276 total posts
Name:
Candice
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Posted by MrsD06
Thanks. Our agent told us we would just have to "take a gamble" which didn't sound right to us. When you mention requiring them to open it for the inspection, is it just a matter of asking them to take the cover off so the inspector can see in the pool, or is there more to it than that?
It might have to be treated with chemicals too if it isnt clear so you can see the bottom. Run the pool too to make sure all the lines and filter is working correctly.
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| Posted 10/14/11 12:11 PM |
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LiveItUp
Love my babies!
Member since 8/11 4096 total posts
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
When we bought our house, we were told that we had to accept the pool "As-is" but that it wasn't factored into the price of the house. But I think that if the seller didn't specify that, they would have to let you inspect it fully and run the filter to make sure it works properly, just like they have to let you try out the appliances inside the house.
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| Posted 10/14/11 3:54 PM |
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METLove2008
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/08 541 total posts
Name:
Ellie
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Our attorney had to get involved but eventually the sellers paid the pool company to reopen it, make sure everything was working, and then close it again. I def wouldn't take a gamble on that.
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| Posted 10/14/11 4:06 PM |
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thewinterone
You make me happy
Member since 5/05 2474 total posts
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cause you are gray.
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Our pool was open when we saw it (their kids were in it) but on the listing they stated it was a gift, so it wouldn't have mattered if something was wrong.
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| Posted 10/14/11 4:22 PM |
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
I think I would like to know either way, but if it was an inground pool, I would absolutely want to know.
IMO it's easier to just get rid of an above ground pool but a bigger expense if it's not.
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| Posted 10/14/11 4:38 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Posted by woozshle
Our pool was open when we saw it (their kids were in it) but on the listing they stated it was a gift, so it wouldn't have mattered if something was wrong.
I think it's more often than not listed as a gift.
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| Posted 10/16/11 7:30 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Posted by Erica
Posted by woozshle
Our pool was open when we saw it (their kids were in it) but on the listing they stated it was a gift, so it wouldn't have mattered if something was wrong.
I think it's more often than not listed as a gift.
Isn't this the case with above ground pools? I didn't think they factored into the price at all.
ETA: We bought our house with the pool closed up, but it was listed as a gift anyway.
Message edited 10/16/2011 8:19:53 AM.
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| Posted 10/16/11 8:19 AM |
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LittleDiva
LIF Adult
Member since 9/11 1284 total posts
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
we had the same situation, we closed in december and couldnt open and run the pool obviously.
so we had money put in escrow....and we made sure to open our pool early in the season, i think in may.
do NOT take a gamble! pools can be expensive to fix. if they are confident that there pool is in working condition they should have no problem putting money in escrow.
ETA: our pool was inground, dont know if that makes a difference.
Message edited 10/16/2011 11:16:11 AM.
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| Posted 10/16/11 11:15 AM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
Name:
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Thanks everyone. The pool is inground and not a gift or as-is. We are going to have our attny address it in the contract. What is a reasonable amount of money to put in escrow for this?
And I think what our agent said is odd, too. That being said we are not thrilled with him so it's not surprising!
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| Posted 10/17/11 5:58 AM |
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Posted by MrsD06
Thanks everyone. The pool is inground and not a gift or as-is. We are going to have our attny address it in the contract. What is a reasonable amount of money to put in escrow for this?
And I think what our agent said is odd, too. That being said we are not thrilled with him so it's not surprising!
IMO I would call a few pool companies and see what they say.
My sister purchased a home in the winter when the pool was closed and the owners at the time told them that the pool was in great condition. Their RE never suggested to hold some money back and when they opened the pool in the late spring it was a disaster!
The coping was buckling, the liner was falling in, the filter was a POS, everything needs to be replaced. I would assume the cost of putting in a brand new pool should be put in escrow.
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| Posted 10/17/11 12:56 PM |
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KittyGags
LIF Adult
Member since 7/09 5614 total posts
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
I think between 3-5k is fair to put in escrow for the pool.
We went into contract in Feb when the pool was closed so it was listed in our contract that the pool had to be inspected before closing. We didn't close until July (mutually agreed upon). We hired a pool company (Pool Masters) to come and inspect it.
If the liner is ripped it would be 3k ish to fix as a PP noted and if the filter was broken? Not sure but I think 3-5k is probably a proper amount.
And your RE agent telling you to take a gamble????? Tell her to find a new job!
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| Posted 10/17/11 10:05 PM |
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summertime
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/10 852 total posts
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Def make sure they escrow money, pools are $$$$$.
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| Posted 10/17/11 10:26 PM |
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Re: Buying a house - pool already closed
Posted by Stacey1403
Posted by Erica
Posted by woozshle
Our pool was open when we saw it (their kids were in it) but on the listing they stated it was a gift, so it wouldn't have mattered if something was wrong.
I think it's more often than not listed as a gift.
Isn't this the case with above ground pools? I didn't think they factored into the price at all.
ETA: We bought our house with the pool closed up, but it was listed as a gift anyway.
It's listed as a gift if it's not legal -- there aren't proper permits/COs. In such cases "gift" means don't factor it into your offer. When determining what you want to pay, pretend the pool doesn't exist. Depending on the bank, in those missing CO situations, the buyer may have to pay to get the COs OR tear the pool down. If the bank will close without the CO, then nothing needs to be done.
I agree with the other posters -- if the pool is represented as part of the listing, then you should have the opportunity to inspect it OR money should be held in escrow (until such time that it can be inspected, if it can't be inspected prior to closing).
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| Posted 10/18/11 2:08 PM |
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