BiggerPockets

1. Should I ditch the pool?: This above ground pool is, in my opinion, an eyesore and is too close to the house. I'm wondering if it adds any sort of value to the property and, should I decide to get rid of it, is it worth trying to sell? It's about 32ft. in length and has a brand new pump, if that counts for anything.

2. Fix the hardwood floor, or lay new floor over it?: Would it cost me more to fix the floor or lay a new floor on top of the existing one? The square patch that needs fixed accounts for about 1/10th of the room's floor. At what point would it make sense to lay an entirely new floor? If 20%, 30%, 40% needs repaired?

3. Any suggestions for the color of the house?: This is a 1900s/f split-level that I'm looking to paint, but I'm having trouble picking a color scheme. The stone facade consists of mostly grays, browns, and beiges. This will be a flip to an owner-occupant.

Thanks for your help, Karen. The house already has a very large sunroom as well as a patio, so if I were to build a deck there would be more outdoor living space than indoor.

Light tan/beige with black trim was also recommended to me by someone just the other day.

Thanks for the input!

Where's this located and are pools common in the area? Having owned a pool, I'll say I'm not a fan and wouldn't own another one. But some areas, like Bakersfield where I owned one, they were expected. I looked at a house here in Denver that had one, and considered it a serious liability. It was tough to keep one warm enough to use in Bakersfield where was 110 during the day. The challenge in Denver would be to keep it from freezing solid.

There are actually at least two BP threads on painting roofs; one you initiated, and another from some other person. Since you are in the Phila. area, the contractor that I posted in your thread could be consulted for an opinion on prices and colors.

Regarding the hardwood floors. What I see that is to the side of your photo is staining from wetness; if the staining is urine, then you will find that upon refinishing the floors that there will be a darker stained area where the urine was. Good floor guy would be able to patch that corner (I had something similar in a flip I did, except there were some - but not enough - boards to use); but the determination of how good the overall look will be could be limited by the composition of the wet stain. If that wet area is big, you might have to go to a really darker stain when refinishing. I can direct you to a flooring guy that I used if you'd like.

I would also be concerned with what is below that plywood patch. It looks just big enough for somebody to have used as an entry into a crawlspace. Since this is a split, you might have crawlspaces, and no easy way into them for any work you might need to do.

Regarding the pool. This is one of those things where you will have some challenges. We are now late in the year, so growing grass over the ground covered by the removed pool will be tough; sodding is an option if you can get the sod. Is this neighborhood dotted with pools like this, or is yours the only one?

Then get rid of that pool ASAP once you have a plan for covering over that ground area - sod or seed, we're late into the growing season. There are some Fall grass mixes (mainly rye grass that is annual) that might germinate; I would seek sod ASAP to be certain that this will look presentable since you are flipping.

Now, if you were going to be renting this place, I would not worry about the bare ground so soon ...

If the hardwood stains are truly just water, it's not so bad - it will be minor to blend the new stain; if urine, you have discoloration of the wood that cannot be removed - at best it gets covered over, and dark stain is used for that if it affects significant area of the floor.

Always ditch the above ground pool, save the pump and re-sell it. Replace the flooring and clean the outside. Only fix what absolutly needs to be. If you plan to resell in this market don't go overboard on upgrades. If the home shows well is clean and priced right you will find a buyer. Wishing you Luck...

I vote to keep the pool, a) to save money up front, and b) because it may actually be a selling point to some.

And hey, if a buyer doesn't want the pool offer to get rid of it as a 'concession'.

As far as the pool weather it is worth selling, if your going to get ride of it, yea I would see what you can get out of it, I mean what do you have to loose a little time? It would sell better in the spring though, as far as keeping, it depends like one says it can be spruced up, the other is is there some one moving in with small children? Is it an older couple or? ? ? ?

Colors, I would say a tans color or some thing to that effect with a darker color for the trim.General rule of thumb, unless you have a buyer with an order for a paint scheme stick to neutrals and tobs.

The flooring it depends on how much money you got to invest, and yes they could be pet stains, Is the Hard wood floors a plus? is it a selling factor, that gives it that eye pop, or wow factor?

What quality house does this need to be?

I mean I might consider la mite flooring, for a cheaper house, but a more expensive one no.

Around here right now that seems to be what everyone wants, there again it depends on where your located.

Pools I have noticed if people have real small children they are worried about drowning, and look at as a liability, some do look at them and go yea I like that.

This is just my experience in rehabs .

Get rid of the pool, list it on Craigslist for cheap or free.
Someone take it home, nice thing they will be doing all of the work.

Btw, does anyone know what is up with the staining on roofs as evidenced in this picture.
I don't remember this problem when I was younger, it seems to be something in the air

Ditch the pool. The only people that see a pool as a feature are people looking for a house with a pool, and they are few. Everyone has visions of pool maintenance horror stories they've heard over the years.

I think the floor question has been covered so I'll leave that one alone.

As far as exterior color, based on the stone I would go with a darker taupe color with black trim and gutters. It would look good with the grey roof as well. Leave the garage door off white though, that much black would really weigh heavy on the front of that house.