Dang is this hard!!!

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

We use our pool/patio area CONSTANTLY! Never realized how much having a pool would turn the backyard into our own vacation getaway. I really voted against buying a house with a pool but was glad I was over-ruled by the wife . I really enjoy coming home from work and wondering out back to sit and relax or take a swim. Also, as someone else pointed out, we didn't have a lot of people over/parties before the pool... now it's tough to go two weeks without people FIGHTING to come over.

[bradjo]

Since it's really impossible to quantify recreational pleasure and it's worth to someone else later down the road about the only advice I would give would be not to secure recreational debt. In other words I wouldn't use my house as collateral to finance any recreational activity.

Good of luck on your decision it's not an easy one,
Jo

[s6skuzy]

Since it's really impossible to quantify recreational pleasure and it's worth to someone else later down the road about the only advice I would give would be not to secure recreational debt. In other words I wouldn't use my house as collateral to finance any recreational activity.

Good of luck on your decision it's not an easy one,
Jo

I think that hits the nail on the head. Based on the pricing we're getting, we would have to take at least a 20k home equity loan (along with the cash from the boat). Not to offend anyone, but we decided it's to much to spend at this point for something that will not provide any financial value in the future. I know. I know the boat doesn’t either but at this point its two years old and I can still get 80% of what we paid. Can't say that about a pool in two years. Thanks for everyone’s input and good luck. We will be pursuing some lake front property instead.

Thanks again...

[Jeffski]

If you think a pool is expensive wait 'til you see the price of lake front property.

[s6skuzy]

We already have checked into pricing and yes it is more expensive. The decision has never been about if we can afford it. Its about, is it worth it from all perspectives. The pool most definitely has a very high level of enjoyment. But I'm not sure we can enjoy it knowing we'll get nothing if we had to sell our house. The difference for us is that lake property is a true asset that will appreciate and be worth something if we ever have to sell.

[Jeffski]

Of course, but if you're concerned with risk the lake house is off the charts compared to a pool. It will appreciate but you're not guaranteed to find a buyer asap if you need to dump it.

We actually looked at the lake house before we decided to put in a pool. Our neighbors just sold one because their kids hated going there every weekend, and after thinking it over we decided our kids would probably get bored too since all their friends are right here in our neighborhood.

Just a thought. Good luck with your decision.

[tonyl]

Interesting thread, especially being an ex-boater and current ig pool owner.

The thing about boats, the best TWO GOOD DAYS of boat ownership are the day you BUY it and the day you SELL it.

Hope this helps, Tony

[shrike]

so glad I found this forum!

Any my first post......

I just went through the same thing. Here is what I found -

BTW, we live in Hot Dallas, on Lake Ray Hubbard.

i have had a trailer ski boat before, and the main thing that kept me from using it was the trailer, and having to drive to the lake. So, this time, and having a "bit" more income than when I was in my 20's, I wanted a smaller cruiser. Was looking at a 24 searay at about $25K. I wanted it in a slip so all I had to do was untie and drive away - even go boating solo.

Pool was about the same for basic, or 10K+ with options. Boat cheaper? Lets see!

Boat:

Consider operating costs -

Slip - covered with electricity - $160/month
Insurance - $500/year
Bottom Job - ($1,000/ each 2 years?)
closed coolant system so no winterising needed.
Gas? $4.50/ gallon at marina X 65 gal tank @ 12-25 gph(depending on speed and what you are towing) - most marinas prohibit you from bring your own fuel
Taxes - second home - deductible interest - not very important, as I would not have much of a loan.....
Resale - Can be kind of a pain to sell a boat this size.
Any ammount of loan payment.


Pool:

31' x 18' (est) - 8.5'deep, waterfall and diving rock, beachwater entry with sun lounge and bubbler, no spa. larger deck area.

Loan - ~ 250/month
Elecctric - ~40/month
Chlorine - I will make my own!
Insurance - No change in premium.
Taxes - home improvement loan = deductible interest!
etc.......

Anyway - I think the per month cost of a pool is much less than the monthly for a boat the size I would want.....and I can use the pool anytime I want.

I agree, that the pool would not raise the property value that much, but here in the land of 105 degree summers, it would speed up the sale time. The tax office has told me they will add $10K to $15K for adding a pool.

Sooooo.....although the pool costs more up front, I think it is a better value in the long run.

[carolynn]

just my 2 cents-- I was a pool owner on a lake with a boat, moved to a new town without lakes, no pool and no boat. I went through terrible withdrawal from the water!!!! I really miss the lake and boat, but I did put a pool in last summer and LOVE it. I want a boat next, but the pool is an everyday thing that is truly like a vacation. Even in the winter we don't cover the pool just so I can look out the window and smile!! (I am in Birmingham, AL )
A couple of my thoughts as I read all the posts are: What kind of pool did you get an estimate for? I looked at gunite, then found a liner pool was almost 1/2 the price, and now I like the liner pool better than the gunite I had before. I would get a few quotes. Also, I just had a market analysis done on my house, (just in case I do find on on a lake, or even a little pond,) and the pool increased my value at least what it all cost. I was surprised, but seems like the younger generation wants all the "treat me" perks in life now and a pool helps a lot to sell a house around here. I did borrow the $ for the pool and figure it is less than most people spend on a fitness club membership and eating out all of the time, so we just spend our $ on the pool instead of those things, and it is much more fun!!!!