Privacy issue and pools

[gomyone]

We live in a brand new SF house (46 X 100 lot) and are considering to have an in ground pool installed this year. However, we have a major concern about privacy. Like most homes in new subdivisions, our house backs onto another house and unfortunately, the neighbours directly behind us have erected a walk out elevated deck from their kitchen that literally overlooks part of our backyard.

To deal with the privacy issue, some of the landscapers we have talked to suggested erecting a fairly tall privacy screen directly opposite the neighbour's deck and also planting two tall flowering trees on each corner of the backyard. That seems sensible, but it won't complete solve the privacy issue. So my question is: do you think installing a pool with this type of privacy issue is a silly idea which may even hurt the resale potential of my home? I ask this because some people may not like the idea of a pool when its not completely enclosed for privacy.

For what its worth, we are certainly not planning on moving anytime soon (at least in the next 10 years) and want to invest in our home for relaxation (ie., a "stay-cation") - so I'm not looking for a financial payback from having pool. But I certainly don't want it to ultimately become a huge deterrent for future buyers! Thanks!

[camzie]

If you want the pool, are not concerned with a financial payback, and have no personal concerns about privacy, sounds like you've made your decision!

Check your local bylaws and put up the highest privacy fence your municipality will allow, in some areas it's as high as 8'

[poorgirl]

We have an above ground pool that has a 52" wall height with a deck around it, so you need to go up 6 steps to get to the deck then we put 6' privacy panels as the walls of the deck that wrap around so now we have complete privacy from 2 side neighbours. And the privacy panels block the wind while you are sitting on the deck.
When we moved into the house 12 years ago we put cedar trees along the back fence so now these trees are 20' tall and act as a privacy panel. We have not seen our neighbours ever since these cedars have grown. We don't even kow who they are.

Considering how long of a season we can use a pool, I would really suggest an above ground pool they are great. We have had the pool for 9 years and not one problem. The kids are growing up now and do not use the pool so much so next year we will tear everything down, reuse the material and have a nice back yard.

[Civuck]

We are in a very similar situation with our new place. We have an in-ground pool with very little privacy to our neighbor directly behind us. We're exploring what sort of privacy options we have - the usual tall trees or more fence stuff. Depending on your space around the pool, you might consider really large umbrella type patio furniture or a cabana style thing.

Something like this might give you some privacy if near a fence...

http://www.sunsetter.com/images/Oasis_montage_500x600.jpg

Whatever you do, it might be a good gesture to discuss your plans with your neighbor - even if you aren't particularly close friends or anything. You don't want to create tension in your neighborhood.

[CSK'sMom]

Frankly, privacy isn't going to matter a bit when it comes to resale and a pool. People either want a pool or not, it's a black and white issue with no gray area. Privacy can be fixed in so many ways, either with plantings or with structure that it becomes a non-issue.

We have an AG pool with a wall height deck on a section of it. When we had a creepy neighbor several doors down build almost a fence height deck we had to deal with it. He would sit on his deck and purposefully watch our daughter and friends which really creeped us all out. We chose to do the plant material route and opted for bamboo. It's already about 15 feet tall and will get taller yet. It's green all year which is an added bonus.

[gr8dlr]

In general, I think a pool will reduce market value of your house. If you want privacy the better option may be a jacuzzi in a "cabana" type structure or you can build privacy screens around it. Good thing about a jacuzzi is you can use it year-round as well. I looked at one which uses "salt" water instead of chemicals and get the brand which is super insulated for winter use.

[Synsear]

Wouldn't anyone remotely close to being behind you or to the side of you (assuming they live in a 2 + story home) be able to see into your back yard / pool if they wanted to, unless you have some kind of canopy? (then you'd be missing out on the sun.)

[CSK'sMom]

In general, I think a pool will reduce market value of your house. If you want privacy the better option may be a jacuzzi in a "cabana" type structure or you can build privacy screens around it. Good thing about a jacuzzi is you can use it year-round as well. I looked at one which uses "salt" water instead of chemicals and get the brand which is super insulated for winter use.

A pool does not decrease the value of a home, it's considered an equity neutral renovation or addition to a property. That means that very rarely will it actually add value to a home but it does not decrease the value either. As I said, a pool is a black and white issue for buyers, you either want one or don't. And don't you mean a hot tub? ;)

[coolspot]

Moved into a house with an indoor pool house 5 years ago... only used it a handful of times (no more than 10).

It's a money pit.

[pkguy]

Sounds like you want the pool so build the pool. There's no privacy in any of those new suburban tracts anyways that's why I'd never live in one. I always wonder why they build those big fancy bathrooms with whirpool tubs and a giant palladian window only to overlook the 6 houses beside and behind it. Everywhere you go especially at night it's a free show for the neighbors. Forget walking from one room to another in your birthday suit unless you want the whole neighborhood to see ya. LOL

[mayble]

In our last house (new subdivision) we installed a pool and it was not private at all. I didn't like it, but my kids didn't care.

You can plant trees, however, it will be years before it will give you any privacy.

If you don't mind the lack of privacy, go for it. However, keep in mind with your size lot, it will all be pool.

In regards to resale, we had no problems selling our house, it did not lower our value at all. However, we did have a fairly large lot (50x135).

My real estate agent said that homes with pools are harder too sell only if the pool takes up the entire lot.