Owners Who Have Pools

[nanci2539]

I'm curious! With so many neighborhood pools in TV; why are there so many pools in homes?

What are the reasons other than personal preference that people have pools in their homes? I'm trying to decide if it's something we want but consdiering the cost and maintenace, I wonder if it's worth it.

[rjrex]

After promising a pool for my bride for years...she found a resale with a nice pool on TDS.
I do NOT use the pool but she loves to float and read. She also cleans it.

[samhass]

When I spend a few hours at a public pool, I'm generally out a couple of times to hit the restroom. Some people are in the pool for hours and never get out. That's to much to think about. I'm into a pfp...pee free pool!
Florida Pool and Spa cleans the pool and spa weekly for a nominal amount. They also take care of all the chemicals.

[Villages Kahuna]

By definition, the birdcage over a residential pool is larger than almost any lanai. Plus, most residential lanai's are built "inside" the footprint of the house, providing less useable space and often lessened effect of the breezes. Houses with pools have larger lots and often more privacy--or at least more space between your lanai and that of your neighbors.

I certainly enjoy the use of my own pool, easy access to the beer in the 'frig, the potty, etc. But I also enjoy lounging at a patio table and chairs under a big umbrella, reading the paper or eating lunch, under my own birdcage enclosure. I'd estimate that we spend at least as much of the daylight hours outside near the pool as we do inside the house. For an amenity that essentially increases the size of the living space of our house by almost 50%, the initial cost of the pool and the weekly maintenance is pretty reasonable.

[chuckinca]

VK"

Interesting point of view

About how many SF is your birdcage? Approx length and width?

[Russ_Boston]

VK - I think you hit the nail on the head. I knew that there was a reason that i liked the homes with pools so much. It is a visual thing as well. Since so much time is spent outdoors the birdcage area becomes 'part' of the home living area. My wife has been adamant about getting a TV home with a pool (or room to build one) and I think you have me convinced as well.

Maybe I can enjoy one of your special burgers under your birdcage some day.

Russ

[Villages Kahuna]

We added two smaller additions to our birdcage from the design that was there when we bought the house. But when I calculate the square footage under the birdcage, it's about 1,300 square feet, about 65% of the floor space of our Lantana model.

Like I said, it makes the living area much more expansive at a very reasonable cost per square foot. Discounting the "lot premium" one might pay for for a house, I'm estimating that the cost per square foot of a block and stucco Lantana is in the range of $125 to $150 per square foot (maybe less these days). Calculated the same way, the cost of the additional space provided by the pool and the deck under the birdcage is in the range of $20-25 per square foot, including the price of the pool and the birdcage. That's a pretty cheap way of increasing the amount of living space by almost two-thirds. In addition, you get the pleasure of a pool.

Of course, you will have to pay more for a large enough lot for a house with a pool. I have not factored that into the calculation.

[chuckinca]

Still less expensive is a fenced in backyard with or without a pool.

But that's another story.

[SteveFromNY]

My home doesn't have room for a pool, and that's fine by me. I have had a fairly large plot of land and a pool for the last 25 or so years, and frankly I am looking forward to not worrying about the chemicals or the vacuuming. Granted, a screen enclosed lanai will keep out the leaves (the biggest issue with dirt in my pool up north), but it still needs an occasional vacuuming I'm sure.
I really like the idea of walking or riding in my cart to the local pool, or going to the sports pool and swimming laps or some other activity there. Or taking the grandkids to the family pool in the neighborhood. I know it's easier to just step out the door, but I personally would rather not have the headache.
Of course it is up to the individual and I wouldn't argue with anyone about their choice. The larger home sites and the larger lanais sure do look really good, but for me, less is more!

[nanci2539]

Steve, my sister has a huge in ground pool in Mass and she has this little robot thing that runs around and cleans the pool for her. She's a busy interior designer and doesn't have time to clean her pool nor does her hubby so they have this little robot machine that she calls Mike (have no idea where she got that name)! As far as the chemicals, I know her hubby does a testing and takes care of that part but I don't believe it's time consuming.

[Just Susan]

So does this mean you are changing your mind and leaning toward a pool Nance?
The decision seems incongrous to the view out my window it is snowing as I speak. Why am I surprised? It is MN.

[nanci2539]

We're tossing it around Susan. More importantly, I want a private lot with curb appeal. It's pouring here - rain, not snow.

[SteveFromNY]

Steve, my sister has a huge in ground pool in Mass and she has this little robot thing that runs around and cleans the pool for her. She's a busy interior designer and doesn't have time to clean her pool nor does her hubby so they have this little robot machine that she calls Mike (have no idea where she got that name)! As far as the chemicals, I know her hubby does a testing and takes care of that part but I don't believe it's time consuming.

I hear you! I never spent a lot of time doing the cleaning either, or a lot of money buying chemicals. Some algaecide and some chlorine, maybe once a week an hour vacuuming. I know it is different for everyone and I'm not trying to convince anyone to do it my way, but for me it's probably more about shedding responsibilities than the actual work. I just don't want another chore that either has to be done or has to be paid to get done. I want to pack a bag and leave for weeks at a time and not worry about anything. We're keeping a house up north and will snowbird awhile, so freedom to move around trumps anything else. But even if I were not snowbirding, I'd opt for the public pools. Again, just a personal choice.

[nanci2539]

I hear you Steve - we're on the fence ourselves about it. If we find the perfect lot and home and it happens to have a pool, great but if it's just the perfect lot and home, I'll take it!

[Villages Kahuna]

I can't estimate how many people maintain their own pools. I know that the five pools on the abutting cul-de-sacs which have pools near ours all have Florida Spa & Pool vacuum, clean the tiles, check the chemistry and adjust as necessary on a weekly basis. The cost is $22.50 a week. My brother, who lives in Houston and has had a pool for over 30 years tells me that's a bargain. He said the chemicals alone can be expensive. Having said that, other than chlorine tablets each week, our pool guy hasn't added chemicals in over a year. He's explained that if the pool is constructed correctly and not abused in use, they seldom need new chemicals. The most important step, he explained, was a daily brush down of the interior of the pool every day for the first 30 days after it's filled initially. That extracts much of the concrete components which, if not brushed and flushed away, will keep leaching into the water screwing up the chemistry for the life of the pool. He said that Florida S & P are very careful to perform this step. Of course, they build almost all the pools in TV.

If you have a question regarding your pool's chemistry, you can bring a sample to the Florida S & P store where they have a high-powered computer which will give you a very precise analysis of your water. They told me that if I ever brought a sample in and found that it was "off", that I should fire them and get a new service. Our pool is always so clear and sparkly that I've never been motivated to bring in a sample.

When you buy a house with a pool from TV, the pool builder will clean and maintain the pool for the first 3 months after closing at no cost to the homeowner. During that period, you can check out their workers and price and change services at the end of the trial period, if you so choose. I don't know of anyone who has "fired" Florida Spa & Pool after they had to begin paying for the service.

[Russ_Boston]

VK - I don't think Florida S&P could have paid for a better ad. I'll definitely keep this in mind when i get my TV home with a pool.

Thanks!

[graciegirl]

Hey guys and girls? Can you get a birdcage without a pool? My kitty would love it, and my husband aka Sweetie, :super: is not into pools. I would love what a birdcage has to offer. Will the vatican :cop: down there allow a birdcage without a pool? I thought I had seen a picture of a birdcage over a hot tub. I have seen three trillion pictures of TV homes in and out and my disk is full. (the one in my head). What is the answer? Could GracieGirl have a birdcage? :bigthumbsup:

[SteveFromNY]

Hey guys and girls? Can you get a birdcage without a pool? My kitty would love it, and my husband aka Sweetie, :super: is not into pools. I would love what a birdcage has to offer. Will the vatican :cop: down there allow a birdcage without a pool? I thought I had seen a picture of a birdcage over a hot tub. I have seen three trillion pictures of TV homes in and out and my disk is full. (the one in my head). What is the answer? Could GracieGirl have a birdcage? :bigthumbsup:


Yes you can. As long as you have the property and get the Architectural committee's approval. There are many extended lanais without pools.

[Sidney Lanier]

I've seen many more birdcages without pools than with. For myself, the last thing I'd want to take on is pool maintenance. With whatever drawbacks there are to the public pools, I still much prefer knowing that i don't have to maintain them but rather just swim and enjoy!

[Russ_Boston]

As mentioned I think that everyone OVER estimates the amount of work that is required to maintain a pool. It can't average out to more than 10 min. per day after the initial scrub down. Many days there is nothing to do regarding maintenace. If you get one of those robot vacuums the time goes down considerably. Or as mentioned just contract with a pool company and sit back and enjoy.

Now cost is anther thing. The initial price and the price to heat during the winter can be substantial depending on how you do it (search other threads for info on this). So if you don't want a pool for cost reasons then don't but i wouldn't not do it just based on time spent.

[wmarsh]

My wife and I are looking at purchasing early next year and are back and forth on a pool vs a spa vs pool/spa.

I had a pool when we lived in Dallas 20 years ago and it was fun, but I grew very tired very fast taking care of it, the heat in Dallas simply ate chlorine (my pool was regularly 90 Deg F during the summer months). that and they were to small to swim in (I was an alternate on the '68 Olympic Water Polo team -- my God that was a long time ago, so when I want to swim I need a pool bigger than one that is two strokes, turn, two strokes, turn....

does anyone have an idea of costs for a really nice spa sans pool?

Also, we've heard of the new 'swim spas' any experience with those would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bill & Carolyn

[funnygirl]

We have Florida Pool and Spa do all of our pool maintance and we pay 68.00 a month. It's worry free. We just enjoy the pool.

[pili]

Speaking of pools, how expensive is it to heat in the winter? I definetely want a pool and I'm sold after reading Big Kahuna's explanation as to how easy the upkeeep is. The amount charged by Florida Spa and Pool sounds very reasonable. That said, we don't want to pay an arm and a leg for keeping the pool heated. I don't like cold water so I know I need a heated pool. Thanks everyone.

Pili 8)

[billethkid]

If you are getting ready to but, my suggestion is to buy the house and get the largest bird cage the property will handle. Have the pool done as an aftermarket install and you will save $$$$$.

FL Spa & Pool did ours.....perfect to our specifications...excellent after sale and after construction service and we have them maintain it for us year around. It is a large pool and spa and runs a little over $20 per week.

We elected to have a gas heater and solar both installed. We keep the pool around 83 during the winter months....sounds low but let me tell you when the air temp is below 70 it feels pretty good. The heaters are set for 83 and the solar system at 92. Sunny days during the so called winter months take the pool above the 80+ numbers.

The heater doesn't come on until late November or even in December. Then needed during January and February. Our gas bill runs about $100 to $150 per month higher when the sun doesn't shine. Averaged out over the year......not any more expensive than utilities bills way North of here.

As pointed out in other posts...the ambiance, the enjoyment, the increased value....all justify a pool in my opinion.

Of course we are outdoor nuts and spend most of our time out there.

BTK

[nanci2539]

so Bill, your suggestion is to put the pool in yourself? How much money do you think one saves doing it this way and how long does it take to have one put in, a normal to good size pool?

[billethkid]

nanci2539....no...not do it yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dontknow:
Aftermarket means other pool companies (not TV) AFTER you own the home. I said I used Florida Spa and Pool to do all of mine......you will save money by having it done AFTER the closing and not by TV.
By the way TV usually uses the same pool contactors, hence you immediately eliminate one level of profitability by having it done AFTER.

Good luck.

BTK