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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Cancelling viewing

59 replies

Anewname20 · 20/09/2020 11:06

Hubby and I are looking to buy a new property. We saw a nice 3 bed semi-detached house with a 150ft garden. It looks ordinary but when you go on google earth there is a massive structure in the garden that turns out to be a 6m x 12m (20ft x40ft) enclosed swimming pool.

Am I unreasonable to discount looking at this property straight away? I’m more worried about it not being easy to sell if we had to move in the future.

OP posts:

Florencex · 20/09/2020 11:07

That would surely be a selling point?

MinesAPintOfTea · 20/09/2020 11:08

Is it not included in the property details/photos?

If you don't want to look, then by all means save everyone some time, but strange for it to not be mentioned so I would wonder if you are definitely looking at current photos of the correct property.

sqirrelfriends · 20/09/2020 11:09

I would still go look, or at least speak to the agent about it.

A property come up near to me that had a pool in a structure, it was above ground and they said in the ad that it could be sold with the property for an additional £20k. I would imagine there is at least a chance that the vendor would take it with them.

Ellmau · 20/09/2020 11:09

You'd think so, but bc of maintenance costs, it actually puts a lot of people off.

sqirrelfriends · 20/09/2020 11:11

@Florencex

That would surely be a selling point?

I've discounted properties in the past for having pools, nice to have but super expensive to maintain.

Palavah · 20/09/2020 11:20

Why wouldnt you go and find out what it's all about?

PrtScn · 20/09/2020 11:35

How old are the google earth images? They might be a few years old and the pool could have been filled in since then.

Original poster

Anewname20 · 20/09/2020 11:44

It’s in the photos but there are so many (40) that I had missed it. It’s a normal looking semi-detached. Someone must really like swimming in that family.

I’m not sure what is putting me off. Honestly, I would love a pool but the possible cost of maintaining it and the fact that if we had to sell it in the future it would put many people off. I don’t know what the maintenance costs are though.

DH says with hotter and hotter weather it will become more attractive to have a swimming pool.

I don’t want to view because I think what’s the point? Maybe I’m being silly because it’s I’m just put off mainly because of what people might think or what future buyers care about rather than our own enjoyment of the thing.

OP posts:

Original poster

Anewname20 · 20/09/2020 11:45

It says it’s an in ground pool. It would have cost them a fortune to put in.

OP posts:

FiveShelties · 20/09/2020 11:55

I am surprised it was not mentioned in the details, I would think it would be an important part of the property.

I would go along and have a look.

areallthenamesusedup · 20/09/2020 12:02

Go and look. It costs nothing to look. Might be excluded as it may put people off. If you want pool out but like look if house discount your offer for price of getting rid of it.

MintyMabel · 20/09/2020 12:08

Nowhere in the particulars did they mention a pool? I’d have thought it would feature in any advert for a home.

BlueJava · 20/09/2020 12:10

I'd certainly go and see it - with hotter weather and staying in more it could be great. I think pools used to put people off, but not sure they do now. However, if you are really put off by it then just cancel - you seem to be overthinking it a bit tbh.

Ginkypig · 20/09/2020 12:16

The thing is if you love everything else and you don't over extend yourself to get it then if you do decide you really don't like the pool then it should be a fairy simple process to get it removed and filled in.
Basically don't discount it as it is a fixable problem but does not pay extra for the privilege as it's not on your wish list.

Personally I'd find out exactly how much it is to run it as I'd love a personal pool, even for a few years to properly enjoy it and get into shape while holidays are on hold
Only if it was not extortionate to run though.

PicaK · 20/09/2020 12:17

Go look. It'll put loads of people off.
Ours we switch on April to end Sept. The heating costs about £500pa. You pay about £75 to winterise and £75 to summerise them. Chemicals about £20 per month.
Check how old the heater is. Check how old the filter is. Look to see what state the capstones are. And what kind of liner it has.
If you have kids there is so much joy in sharing the pool with friends. On sunny days you are instantly in holiday mode. I was nervous as hell about it but its been wonderful and about the cost of a centerparcs break.
Pm me if any questions but def go have a look.

PicaK · 20/09/2020 12:18

BTW it costs an absolute fortune to fill them in. Thinks tens of thousands

Ginkypig · 20/09/2020 12:18

That was meant to be a grin! Not a gin!

CoronaIsWatching · 20/09/2020 12:20

Can't you just demolish it or turn it into an office?

Original poster

Anewname20 · 20/09/2020 12:21

It is my fault. I must have rushed through the photos. It looked okay in the first few and with the market crazy, we thought it is definitely worth looking at. This morning I have had more time to look better. So to be fair it is mentioned but it’s not in your face, so to speak.

Bluejava, interesting you say I’m overthinking it. I probably am. I have no idea why I’m reacting to it on this way. Maybe surprise at the pool being there? We’re an ordinary family and I may be have an underlying view that ordinary families do not have big pools in their back garden? The downside to selling in the future is the biggest concern that I can identify in my thoughts.

I will keep the viewing for now. It’s later this week so I have time to think more about it.

Does anyone have a pool? Would you recommend having one?

OP posts:

Original poster

Anewname20 · 20/09/2020 12:24

PicaK and Ginkypig, thanks. Very useful info.

Tens of thousands to remove? So damn if you do and damn if you don’t? The annual running costs seem reasonable when put in context of a holiday.

OP posts:

coronafiona · 20/09/2020 12:33

There's no harm in looking though is there. If you you did end up buying it and moving in you can always fill it in. You might even find you like it! House buying always involves a compromise

Nottherealslimshady · 20/09/2020 12:50

God I'd bloody love a pool with a normal 3 bed house.
Where is it?

CatSmith · 20/09/2020 12:58

Go and look at it. Ask about costs. If it’s unseated it’s substantially cheaper to run but with less appeal. Don’t dismiss it outright until you’ve looked.

Ginkypig · 20/09/2020 13:15

I'm no expert! Picak sounds like they have vastly more experience than me.

Good luck with it.

Twigaletta · 20/09/2020 13:18

I'm super envious! But if it's not your cup of tea it definitely isn't worth the hassle

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