Considering buying a house that I think had a pool at one point...how to approach

[TechieTechie]

Have my eye on a nice fixer upper that has a yard big enough for a pool (inground only in this fancy neighborhood). Looking thru the old city tax files, it looks like a permit was pulled (don't know when) for a pool install. There is certainly no pool there now.

How the heck to I approach installing a pool in a back yard that probably had one at some point?

I may ask the neighbors and try to pull the permit...but has anyone else run into this same issue?

 

[Sparks22]

I have seen some people be able to look up satellite photos that are really old. You might see if you can find some older satellite photos after the date of the permit to see if a pool used to be there. I'm not sure how exactly to do that though, maybe someone else might have that knowledge.

 

[Homebrewale]

I can look back until March 1993 with Google Earth Pro for my house.

 

[TechieTechie]

How does one look at Google Earth history? NVMR, found it. Well if the pool was removed/filled in, it was 15+ years ago.

So, let's say it's not on a permit and there is no way of knowing exact size/shape/method of removal.

Does one just start digging and 'ooops finding a wall here'...there goes my demo estimate?

 

[ajw22]

There is ground penetrating radar that can map out an area. See if you can find someone in the area with a unit to spend a day mapping out the property.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Equipment | GSSI Inc. | Georadar

GSSI provides the widest range of ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic induction equipment available-covering all GPR survey applications

www.geophysical.com

 

[YippeeSkippy]

If a pool has been buried, it most states it *must* be told about to buyers. Ask the Realtor.

Maddie

 

[spd500]

You may also have some luck with a metal detector. Once you find a wall you should be able to follow it around. Always assuming that it is a concrete pool with rebar, or steel wall liner pool.

 

[Newdude]

To me it’s just a tarp. One corner isn’t square and if you screenshot it and zoom in it looks like they raked the yard and have a lot of leaves/thatching nearby ready to go on the tarp.

I hope I’m wrong though, Buried pool treasure hunts are by far the BEST !!! Lol.

 

[batesjer]

@Newdude I don't think there is anything in the picture making him believe there was a pool, it's just that a permit was pulled at some point and they can't confirm visually.

 

[Newdude]

@Newdude I don't think there is anything in the picture making him believe there was a pool, it's just that a permit was pulled at some point and they can't confirm visually.

Ha !!!! I agree now that you point it out. Thanks

 

[Mdragger88]

Have my eye on a nice fixer upper that has a yard big enough for a pool (inground only in this fancy neighborhood). Looking thru the old city tax files, it looks like a permit was pulled (don't know when) for a pool install. There is certainly no pool there now.

How the heck to I approach installing a pool in a back yard that probably had one at some point?

I may ask the neighbors and try to pull the permit...but has anyone else run into this same issue?

View attachment 162058

I posted this the other day- it’s definitely possible..

Anybody seen this? Hidden pool!

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/man-speechless-find-house-huge-22627339

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Newdude]

Maybe back in the day before the neighbors got snooty it was a permit for an above ground pool that is now long gone.