Sell a FLIP with or without an in ground pool?

Question

Hi all! I have been flipping for a few years now and have embarked on a larger flip w/ an in ground pool. The home requires EVERYTHING. New roof, siding, soffit, gutters/downspouts, 2 furnaces, 2 HWT, 2 A/C, full kitchen, bathrooms, flooring AND septic etc. The list goes on and on..and on :-). Home sits on 3 acre lot and will be quite stunning once finished. This home comes with a pool that I was unable to fully examine as its winter here in Ohio. Home was built in 1987 so I am assuming the pool foundation SHOULD be okay. There are no pool mechanics so that will need replaced as well as the liner. I have an estimated budget of $9-10k for getting the pool up to par.

My main concern is if I should refurbish the pool or not. In NE Ohio, pools are less desired as our weather doesn't permit full usage of such amenity. IF I filled in the pool, I potentially think that the home will attract more buyers as more don't desire a pool. However this home sits on 3 acres, has privacy and has a great fenced in backyard that encompasses the pool (and a pool shed that's getting redone as well). The pool furbishing is in my budget however I am looking for the SALE factor.

Any suggestions fellow BP'ers?

Matthew Paul · Answer

Fill in the pool , take the fenced in pool area and put in a fire pit some pavers , and an outdoor kitchen . ( as money allows ) and make an entertainment area . Some low voltage lights and a sound system .   Pools are a pain in the   XXX

Matthew Paul · Answer

@Brian Pulaski   when filling in a pool you want water to drain , you can bust up the bottom , break up any concrete , but you can leave it in the hole . It is better when you fill to use a jumping jack to get compaction in 8 inch lifts , but most customers wont pay for the extra labor involved

Brian Pulaski · Answer

@Matthew Paul is that standard practice where you are? I spoke to some pool removal companies and was told the bottom of the pool concrete needs to be removed, as does the vinyl liner. The pool side concrete can be broken up and buried, but they can't prevent water from draining down. I'm probably misreading your description.

Also I agree, I would remove the pool by a qualified company as they can be huge expenses, and the majority of people I have spoken to prefer not having them.

Nik S. · Answer

@Matthew Paul

Thanks for the tips! Regardless of current pool condition, it’s getting filled. I’ll update the post with pics, procedures and costs.

Matthew Paul · Answer

One way to save money on a pool fill in .

Vinyl liner pool , cut the liner up and throw in the bottom . Have a guy with a backhoe or mini ex rip out the concrete pad and place it flat in the bottom of the pool . Fill with dirt till about 4 ft from the top .  Cover with filter cloth and then fill in the rest .  Find someone doing some dirt work local , transportation of the dirt is the big expense

Nik S. · Answer

thanks for the suggestions! It will still cost a few thousand ($2-4k) to fill in the pool. It’s a 20x40 pool but I think the big open backyard will be great. As you all mentioned, pools are way to much maintenance especially given the short usage span each year in Ohio.

Ryan Evans · Answer

Yeah the fire pit is a solid idea. You might raise the value to the right person, but I'm not sure it would be enough to justify 10k. And a 10k pool project just seems like a project that has a lot of room for something to go wrong. The hassle probably aint worth it!

Dave Van Horn · Answer

I second Matthew's post. I would think the majority of buyers don't want the work that comes along with the pool. You could check the comps in the area to be sure though.

Sell a FLIP with or without an in ground pool?

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