I have not seen the pool opened, only the pictures. We are going to write in the contract that the pool be brought up to working and clean. Does it look like some sort of staining in the deep end? Is that something the current owners are going to be able to "fix" without costing alot. Also, is there anything I really need to know about now? (I did have an IG vinyl pool last summer.) I saw the filter tank it it's a BIG stainless steel thing. I assume it's pretty old... The home was built in '75 but I don't know when the pool was built. Anyone know much about those? Also, should I put in the contract that I want the CYA test to read anywhere between 30-50 and NO HIGHER. It was a pain in the you know what to deal with a CYA level that was WAY WAY too high last summer and I would prefer they take care of any drain and refill Crud before I take over ownership. Wish me luck! We are putting an offer down this evening or tomorrow.
might be buying a house with a pool
- Thread starter my2kidsmom
- Start date
Thanks! Actually, this is NOT the house that I rented. This is a concrete pool and I had a vinyl pool. I think the discoloration is a stain from talking with the realtor. The pool is covered right now so I haven't seen it. We are going to ask that they have the pool uncovered and in working condition AND clean any staining before we go to closing. I'm thinking I might throw the CYA numbers in the contract so I'm not buying a pool that will end up needing a big drain and refill (or multiple ones) to get the CYA right.
Thinkly
Well-known member
Anything is negotiable, but like everything else you just have to way the pluses and minuses of asking to have it in the contract. We just bought a house with a pool this Summer. Fortunately for us the pool is only two years old, but still we covered our bases.
YOu are concerned about chemical levels and putting that in your contract. That is probably OK but again a pretty minor issue. Water and chemicals are pretty cheap relatively speaking. Dysfunctional plumbing, etc isn't. We wrote into the contract that ALL pool equipment had to stay with the home. We also wrote in that we wanted to meet with the seller and get "trained" on the pool.
This gave us a chance to not only learn a bit, but also find out what was actually there and what was not. Pool plugs, covers, hoses, vacuums, chemicals, skimmers, etc. You will have a huge expense if you show up on moving day and everything is gone or never existed.
Also find out who was servicing the pool and then go meet with the company if it wasn't DIY. The company will be more than glad to provide you with info since you will be the new customer. Lastly, pay for a pool inspection by a reputable company. Maybe even two if you have large concerns.
YOu are concerned about chemical levels and putting that in your contract. That is probably OK but again a pretty minor issue. Water and chemicals are pretty cheap relatively speaking. Dysfunctional plumbing, etc isn't. We wrote into the contract that ALL pool equipment had to stay with the home. We also wrote in that we wanted to meet with the seller and get "trained" on the pool.
This gave us a chance to not only learn a bit, but also find out what was actually there and what was not. Pool plugs, covers, hoses, vacuums, chemicals, skimmers, etc. You will have a huge expense if you show up on moving day and everything is gone or never existed.
Also find out who was servicing the pool and then go meet with the company if it wasn't DIY. The company will be more than glad to provide you with info since you will be the new customer. Lastly, pay for a pool inspection by a reputable company. Maybe even two if you have large concerns.
You have gotten good advice! 
This is a concrete pool? What is the surface, plaster? When was it was replastered?
What is the age of the equipment (all of the equipment) ? What size/type filter? What size/type pump?
I'm just playing devil's advocate here. As mentioned, the pool water chemistry is an easy fix (using TFP
), but if the "guts" has/have a problem, then that will/could translate to $$$$.
Don't focus on the water chemistry (we can help you fix anything there) , just focus on the bones
Just my .02 :-D
Good luck with your offer!
This is a concrete pool? What is the surface, plaster? When was it was replastered?
What is the age of the equipment (all of the equipment) ? What size/type filter? What size/type pump?
I'm just playing devil's advocate here. As mentioned, the pool water chemistry is an easy fix (using TFP
), but if the "guts" has/have a problem, then that will/could translate to $$$$.Don't focus on the water chemistry (we can help you fix anything there) , just focus on the bones
Just my .02 :-D Good luck with your offer!
'Butterfly said:You have gotten good advice!
This is a concrete pool? What is the surface, plaster? When was it was replastered?
What is the age of the equipment (all of the equipment) ? What size/type filter? What size/type pump?
I'm just playing devil's advocate here. As mentioned, the pool water chemistry is an easy fix (using TFP
Don't focus on the water chemistry (we can help you fix anything there) , just focus on the bones
Good luck with your offer!
I've been told that it is gunite. We wrote up the contract to include all pool equipment and accessories as well as have the pool open, clean, and in working order.
We just bought a house with a pool. We had a one year home warranty paid by the seller that covered the pool as an extra item. If anything significant happens, it's covered by this insurance with a minimal service call cost to us. Insurer: fidelity national home warranty. I do regret not having a pool inspection before we bought though.
also, any suggestions on finding someone reputable to do a pool inspection....would I look at the company that installs and services pools? I just don't trust pool stores anyway based on my experiences last year with lies and more lies before I got with TFP.
Maybe Ted can make a trip for ya :lol:
Good luck - you've received great advice thus far.
Good luck - you've received great advice thus far.
What you want out of the pool inspection is a physical/mechanical assessment rather than pool chemistry, so anybody who's done that kind of work for a while would probably give you the straight dope. The pool-store complaints I've seen on the forum since I've been here are almost all about managing the chemistry.
--paulr
--paulr
Thinkly
Well-known member
I would ask about who is servicing it now. Then unless you are aware of problems with that company I would use them. Would you rather have a company/person come out and look at your pool that has never seen it before or one that has extensive history with it, and has performed repairs on it and also knows of issues with it that presented over time.
In other words would you rather have someone with 60 minutes experience with the pool give you an opinion or somebody with possibly 15,000 plus minutes (maybe they built it?) of history with the pool give you an opinion?
In other words would you rather have someone with 60 minutes experience with the pool give you an opinion or somebody with possibly 15,000 plus minutes (maybe they built it?) of history with the pool give you an opinion?